Development News for Taylorville, Illinois

Council Approves Funding for West Main Cross Street Project Engineering Costs

The City Council authorized and directed the mayor to sign a resolution appropriating motor fuel tax funds for supplemental construction engineering costs for the West Main Cross Street project. The council also authorized and directed the mayor to sign an IDOT local road supplemental construction engineering service agreement with Benton Engineering for the West Main Cross project for $334,860. Additionally, the council authorized and directed the mayor to sign a request for expenditure authorization of motor fuel tax funds for supplemental construction engineering costs associated with the West Main Cross Street project. All these actions passed with seven votes in favor.

City Approves Redevelopment Agreements for Three Businesses

The City Council approved three separate Business Development District Number One Redevelopment Agreements. The first agreement was with BNA Properties LLC and Central Illinois Optometrics Associates LLC (dba Advanced Eye Care) for the property at 300 Springfield Road. The second agreement was with Chicago's Number One Drum Lessons Incorporated (dba Taylorville Music Lessons) and Michael J. and Wendy Simro for the property at 3419 South Cherokee Road, relating to music lessons on South Main. The third agreement was with Cheryl and Salah Assad for the property at 306 South Streer Street. All three motions passed with strong majorities.

City Council Approves Software Purchase and Insurance Renewal

The City Council approved the purchase of software from BSNA for a not-to-exceed amount of $210,000, with a deduction of $10,000 from the contract, making the actual cost under $210,000. The purchase includes approximately $71,000 for training. The council also approved the renewal of insurance options with Diamond Brothers Insurance, resulting in a 5% renewal for the city after bundling ancillary services and securing an additional percentage off from Blue Cross Blue Shield due to a competitive quote from Etna. Both motions passed with seven votes in favor.

Taylorville Honors High School Track and Field State Qualifiers, Proclaims THS Track Team Day

The City Council honored the Taylorville High School and Junior High School state track and field qualifiers, proclaiming June 1st, 2026 as THS Track Team Day and presenting Elsie Williamson with a key to the city for her state championship win. Bruce Barry, the mayor, presented the proclamation and the key, noting that this was only the third key to the city he had given in his nine years as mayor. Elsie Williamson's victory in the discus was a historic achievement for the school, being the first female athlete to win a state championship.