Government
Tax bills explained
Tax bills for 2024 payable in 2025 should arrive in local mailboxes by next week at the latest, according to Monroe County Treasurer Kevin Koenigstein. As of press time, the…
Read MoreColumbia awards façade grants
After a busy first half of 2025, June has been relatively calm for Columbia aldermen. Apart from items on the consent agenda, Columbia City Council only had two other items…
Read MoreGas tax hike, other changes begin July 1
On July 1, several new laws and tax changes are set to go into effect across Illinois. The updates were passed during the 2024 and 2025 legislative sessions and signed…
Read MoreRep. Schmidt seeks third term
State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) announced this week his intention to seek a third term in the Illinois Legislature. Schmidt represents the 114th District, which covers Cahokia Heights, East St.…
Read MoreTopics du jour for Waterloo
The Waterloo City Council approved a land annexation and a union contract during its regular meeting Monday night, but has also discussed topics ranging from chickens and bees to solar…
Read MoreCounty property tax dates set
Friday marks the official beginning of summer, but mid-June has recently been the time when property assessments were released. This year, however, with assessments released in February, Monroe County Treasurer…
Read MoreSplash pad barn coming soon
Last week’s meeting of the Waterloo Park District Board had little on the agenda with summer in full-swing, though commissioners did discuss the recent opening of the Waterloo Community Splash…
Read MoreGrocery tax decision looms
The state’s 1 percent grocery tax ends Jan. 1, 2026, but local governments can choose to retain it without asking residents for permission. Governor JB Pritzker signed HB3144 into law…
Read MoreNew mayor in New Athens
While a handful of changes came about within Monroe County following the election earlier this year, one nearby community in rural St. Clair County has found itself with a new…
Read MoreWaterloo to talk birds and bees
An ordinance committee is scheduled for this coming Monday night at Waterloo City Hall to discuss, among other topics, the allowance of chickens, bees and other animals within city limits.…
Read MoreColumbia ends electrical aggregation
Columbia residents who have enrolled in the city’s Municipal Electric Aggregation Program will need to find a new supplier in the next two months. The City of Columbia announced Monday…
Read MoreRiley ready to serve
Following the April 1 election, a new face has appeared among the Waterloo City Council, planning to keep his door open and looking to take care of the city’s present…
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