City of Chillicothe City Council met March 9.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Chillicothe, Peoria County, Illinois, met in Regular Session in person March 9, 2026 at 7:00 P.M. with Mayor Michael D. Hughes presiding and with proper notice having been posted.
Mayor Hughes called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
The Pledge of Allegiance, to the Flag of the United States of America, was recited.
Chairman Hughes directed Clerk Byrnes to take roll.
Present:
Mayor Michael D. Hughes
City Clerk Jill M. Byrnes
City Treasurer Andrea Bredeman
Alderpersons Present:
Barry Bredeman, Patricia Westerman-Connor, Brett Cantwell, Michael Crabtree, Courtney Gehrig, Sandi Levell, Gary Sharp
Alderpersons Absent:
Patrick Semtner
Also Present:
City Attorney Kevin Day Attorney Jocelyn Arredondo
Police Chief Jeremy Cooper
Office Manager Denise Passage
Assistant Office Manager Chelsea White
Economic Development Director Amanda Beadles Superintendent of Public Works Shawn Sutherland City Engineer Josh Harken
Others Absent:
Attorney Taylor Cascia
Chairman Hughes declared a Quorum present
The Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting on February 23, 2026 were presented. Motion Alderperson Sharp, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council dispense with the reading of the Minutes of the February 23, 2026 Regular Council Meeting and approve the Minutes as presented.
Motion Carried Via Voce vote.
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS BY THE CLERK:
Clerk Byrnes presented the following Committee and Commission Minutes:
1. Shademakers – 1/20/2026
2. Finance Committee – 2/11/2026
3. Cemetery & Parks Committee 2/17/2026
4. Zoning Board of Appeals – 2/18/2026
5. Economic Development Committee – 2/20/2026
6. Judicial Committee – 2/25/2026
7. Public Works Committee – 3/4/2026
Communications by the Clerk:
1. City Treasurer’s Report – 1/31/2026
2. City Collector’s Report-2/2026
3. City Budget Report – 2/2026
I am in receipt of a resignation letter dated 2/25/2026 which reads:
This is to notify you that I hereby resign my position on the Zoning Board of Appeals effective this date. Thank you.
Raymond Nicklin
I am in receipt of a resignation letter dated 2/19/2026 which reads:
I Zachary Simpson am resigning as of 2/24/2026 from my Public Works position.
I am in receipt of the Illinois Housing Blueprint. The 2027 Illinois Housing Blueprint, led by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), will provide an analysis of the state of housing in Illinois, with a particular emphasis on the ways in which Illinois can improve the resiliency and equity of housing markets across the state.
As of 2/25/2026 all elected officials, committee members and administrative individuals required to complete a Statement of Economic Interest annually were notified. Filers that were previously committed to the website will have their statement notification delivered in the method they chose, either by mail or through email. Any new filers will be sent a notification through the mail. The completed statements are due to the County Clerk’s office keeping within the city. Mrs. Burlette informed the Council that she has completed the bee keeping course and would like to establish bee keeping on her property.
Nicole Dopler, Rapids City, IL. within the Quad Cities metropolitan area, introduced herself to the Council as a democratic candidate for State Representative, she is the only democratic candidate on the ticket for the primary March 17, 2026. Her background includes working in healthcare since 1996 and her goal is protecting Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security benefits and assuring that public funds support our school system.
Scott Wozniak, 13730 N Wild Flower Rd, is here tonight with his son in hopes that the Council would stay open minded to the idea of bee keeping, including to promote the education of bee keeping, benefits to the environment and eliminate any fear of bees.
Motion Alderperson Crabtree, second Alderperson Gehrig, that the bills as presented be paid and the payrolls and transfers be approved.
Roll Call Vote was:
Ayes: Bredeman, Cantwell, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Levell, Sharp
Nays: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
MAYOR HUGHES:
Motion Alderperson Sharp, second Alderperson Crabtree, that the Council accept the Resignation of Public Works Employee Zachary Simpson, effective February 24, 2026.
Roll Call Vote was:
Ayes: Bredeman, Cantwell, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Levell, Sharp
Nays: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
ANNOUNCE:
Alderperson Sharp announced that the Mayor would like to withdraw Agenda Item #2 Viaduct IDOT letter and will bring it back at a future meeting.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE:
Motion Alderperson Sharp, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council approve the purchase of rock salt for fiscal year 26-27 through the joint participation program with the State of Illinois, and authorize the Mayor and Superintendent Sutherland to take reasonable and prudent actions necessary to execute any documents for the purchase of the rock salt.
Roll Call Vote was:
Ayes: Bredeman, Cantwell, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Levell, Sharp
Nays: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
Motion Alderperson Sharp, second Alderperson Gehrig, that the Council approve an expenditure of $3,551.58, payable to Princeville Tire for the purchase of four backhoe tires. Payable from the Water/Sewer Fund.
Roll Call Vote was:
Ayes: Bredeman, Cantwell, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Levell, Sharp
Nays: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
Chairman declared motion carried.
Motion Alderperson Sharp, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council approve an additional expenditure of $11,279.08, payable to Brocke Well for the completion of the Priority One Walnut East Well Project. Payable from the Water/Sewer Fund, Priority One Project Walnut East Well. The additional expense will make the project go over budget, however; will not go over the appropriation amount.
Roll Call Vote was:
Ayes: Bredeman, Cantwell, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Levell, Sharp
Nays: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
ANNOUNCE:
Alderperson Sharp announced that he would like to withdraw Agenda Item #4
Priority One Project Bradley Drainage Additional Expense, and bring it back to a future meeting, should it be necessary.
Motion Alderperson Sharp, second Alderperson Crabtree, that the Council authorize the Superintendent of Public Works to advertise for a full-time public works employee.
Roll Call Vote was:
Ayes: Bredeman, Cantwell, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Levell, Sharp
Nays: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:
Motion Alderperson Connor, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council approve the Independent Consultant Agreement between the City of Chillicothe and Patricia Mough and authorize the Mayor and Economic Development Director to take reasonable and prudent actions necessary to execute any documents for said agreement.
Roll Call Vote was:
Ayes: Bredeman, Cantwell, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Levell, Sharp
Nays: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
Motion Alderperson Connor, second Alderperson Gehrig, that the Council approve the Engineering Agreement between the City of Chillicothe, IDOT and TWM for the IDOT 935K Shared Use Path and authorize the Mayor and Economic Development Director to take reasonable and prudent actions necessary to execute any documents for said agreement. Discussion: Amanda Beadles, EDC Director informed the Council that this will be an extension to the existing bike path.
Roll Call Vote was:
Ayes: Bredeman, Cantwell, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Levell, Sharp
Nays: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE:
Motion Alderperson Bredeman, second Alderperson Gehrig, that the Council approve the application for IDOT Traffic Grant (STEP), at no cost to the City.
Roll Call Vote was:
Ayes: Bredeman, Cantwell, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Levell, Sharp
Nays: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
Motion Alderperson Bredeman, second Alderperson Sharp, that the Council approve the Special Event Request as submitted by Shirley Loser, for the use of City Park on April 4, 2026, 8:00a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for the “Easter Egg Round Up”.
Motion Carried Via Voce vote.
JUDICIAL COMMITTEE:
DISCUSSION: Bee Keeping – See discussion under Public Comment. After discussion it was the consensus of the Council to bring back to the next Judicial Committee Meeting (3/25/2026, at 4:30 p.m.) for further discussion.
DISCUSSION: Regarding Use, Standing and Parking of Commercial Vehicles – After discussion it was the consensus of the Council to bring back to the next Judicial Committee Meeting (3/25/2026, at 4:30 p.m.) for further discussion and consensus of the Council was to give direction to Attorney Day to present similar municipality ordinances for review at that meeting.
Motion Alderperson Gehrig, second Alderperson Bredeman, that the Council authorize the City Attorney to work with the Chillicothe Fire Protection District to determine a fire code for the City of Chillicothe to adopt and draft an ordinance to amend section 46-91 of the City Code.
Roll Call Vote was:
Ayes: Bredeman, Cantwell, Connor, Crabtree, Gehrig, Levell, Sharp
Nays: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
Motion Alderperson Sharp, second Alderperson Gehrig, that the meeting adjourn at 7:42 p.m.
Mayor Hughes declared the meeting adjourned.
https://cms9files.revize.com/chillicothe/03.09.2026%20council.pdf?t=202603241533460&t=202603241533460
