Category: News

IDOT roadwork on Eldorado St. – starting April 9

Decatur, IL – The Illinois Department of Transportation is starting work on Eldorado Street between IL 48 and Church Street next week (April 9). The $8.36-million project involves resurfacing the road, ADA improvements with sidewalk ramps, traffic signal modernization and replacement, and bridge joint replacement. IDOT estimates completion early summer 2025.

Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction at times. Please drive with caution in the work zone! A temporary inconvenience will result in a much better driving surface and safer intersections.

First home sold under new home rehab program with Central IL Land Bank and City of Decatur

Decatur, IL – With grant support from the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), the City of Decatur and the Central Illinois Land Bank Authority (CILBA) recently sold its first rehabbed home at 439 S Maffit Street.  The rehab was completed in 2023 with two different IHDA grants and American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding the City provided to the land bank. Four more home rehabilitation projects are underway and should be completed in 2024. Read more about the program in the news release

Decatur City Council to bring back Tim Gleason as City Manager

Decatur, IL – Pending official vote, the Decatur City Council is poised to bring back Tim Gleason as the next City Manager. Gleason previously served as Decatur City Manager for 3.5 years from 2015-2018. He left Decatur to take the City Manager job for the City of Bloomington, IL, and would now return after nearly six years there. An official vote on Gleason’s employment contract is planned for the April 1, 2024 City Council meeting. Read the full news release

Annual Hydrant Flushing to occur in April

Decatur, IL – The Decatur Fire Department will be flushing and flow testing approximately 1,200 fire hydrants in April. Hydrant flushing will generally occur Monday through Friday from 7am to 5pm. This process may cause temporary discoloration of water in the area where hydrants are being tested. NO health issues are associated with the discolored water, but you might let water run until clear before doing any laundry, cooking, etc. This testing keeps our hydrants operational and determines if enough water is available at that hydrant to support fire suppression. A map of the areas being tested will be updated here: https://decaturil.gov/maps/ Questions? Call DFD: 217-424-2811

City to conduct prescribed burn at Oakley Sediment Basin – March 20

Oakley, IL – Macon County residents may see thick black smoke throughout the day on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 coming from Oakley Township as a prescribed burn occurs at the City’s sediment storage basin. The City of Decatur and Macon County Conservation District will remove unwanted vegetation from the site with a prescribed burn, which should occur barring any unexpected weather change. We plan to start between 9:00am and 11:00am and the burn should last four to five hours. Learn more in this notice

Six-week unlimited yard waste collection begins April 1

Decatur, IL – Weekly removal of unlimited amounts of yard waste for Decatur residences begins on April 1, 2024 and continues for six weeks. Haulers will collect yard waste from paper bags designed for composting, approved yard waste containers, and hauler-provided totes. “Yard waste only” container stickers are available at the Civic Center box office in the main lobby and in the Community Development Department on the 3rd floor. Another six weeks of unlimited yard waste collection will occur in the fall. More info: https://decaturil.gov/garbage-recycling/

Grove Road bridge closed until Aug. 9, 2024

Decatur, IL – Please be aware that the Grove Road bridge over the Sand Creek Arm of Lake Decatur in South Shores area will be CLOSED through Aug. 9, 2024. This is a several-month closure as our contractor replaces the bridge. The bridge will be impassable during this time. Please plan to use an alternate route, such as South Shores Dr. and Southland Rd.

Decatur Citizen of the Year – Melverta Wilkins

Decatur, IL – Decatur Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe honored Melverta Wilkins with her Decatur Citizen of the Year award at the Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce Awards Ceremony. She is recognized for being an outstanding citizen who goes above and beyond to improve our community. Wilkins in 2013 started Sista Girls and Friends, a mentorship program for young women, and now leads the Metro Decatur Black Chamber of Commerce. She and the Chamber took over the planning for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day festivities this year and did a fantastic job! Congrats to Melverta Wilkins!