The Dwight Village Board met in regular session on Tuesday, June 23.

In attendance were trustees Pete Meister, Marla Kinkade, Austin Haacke, Deb Karch, and Dan Hansen. Trustee Joshua Jahn and Village President Paul Johnson were absent. Kinkade acted as president pro tem in place of Johnson.

Others in attendance were Village Administrator Crissy Livingston, Village Attorney Nick Ehrgott, and Village Clerk Nicole Bozarth.

Public Forum

Dwight resident Cody Gibson addressed the Board seeking a second review of his request to expand the curb cut at his residence. The Board had previously turned down his request but agreed to reconsider if the length of cut was reduced.

Dwight resident Steven Fink brought to the Board his concerns about a nuisance property across from him on East North Street. The property has been neglected since the owners death in 2024 and the institutional owner has not been caring for the property. The Village was aware of the situation and was working through available channels to clean up the location.

Report of Officers

Village Administrator Crissy Livingston reported on numerous items:

1.   The Village was part of a meeting on June 1 with Central Management Services (CMS) and other state officials discussing the future of the old prison site. The Surplus to Success program is an initiative led by the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) to transform underutilized state-owned properties into economic development assets. It is backed by a $300 million investment to prepare abandoned sites for private redevelopment, job creation, and community revitalization. Environmental studies have been done and an RFP has been put out by the State to review options for repurposing the property.
2.  The Community Open House on June 15 to review Teska  Associates findings created a good turnout with a lot of positive feedback on the project.
3. The CDBG housing rehab grant survey initiated 34 applicants for the grant and they are being evaluated. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is a flexible, federal formula-allocated program from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It provides annual grants to states and local governments to fund housing rehabilitation, public infrastructure, and economic opportunities, principally benefiting low- to moderate-income individuals.
4. Livingston thanked Ganz’s Greenhouse in Marseilles and the anonymous volunteer who plants and maintains the flower planters downtown.
5. On July 11 there will be multiple events in Dwight including the 6.6 Historic Hustle, the Enger Memorial Little League Tournament, and ICOPS bicycle race.
   1. The Historic Highway Hustle is a trio of 6.6K (4.1-mile) footraces celebrating the Route 66 Centennial. Dwight serves as the host for the grand finale of the race series.
   2. The Jim Enger Invitational is an annual youth baseball and softball tournament held each year, hosted by Dwight Youth Baseball & Softball, the multi-day tournament features area teams and takes place at Florence W. Garrett Park.
   3. The “icops bicycle race” Cycle Across Illinois, is an annual ~300+ mile, four-day memorial charity ride rather than a traditional race. Hosted by Illinois Concerns of Police Survivors (IL C.O.P.S.), it honors fallen law enforcement officers and raises funds for their surviving families
6. The new Route 66 decorative bench installed across from Village Hall appears to have a defective coating and is being repaired.

Director of Public Works Cory Scoles reported that sidewalk upgrades for the Safe Routes to School program are progressing.

Village Water Operator Joey Fritsch reported that the Annual Water Quality Report is available the the village website.

EMS Director Dustin Campbell informed the Board that the defective ambulance is being repaired and that the Department had recently been awarded the 2026 American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® EMS Silver achievement award. This national recognition highlights the agency’s sustained commitment to rapid, evidence-based care for patients experiencing severe heart attacks and strokes.

Police Chief Mike Nolan reported that Flock cameras in being implemented. Flock cameras are specialized, AI-powered Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) commonly used by police departments and businesses. Unlike traditional security cameras, they are explicitly designed to capture and identify vehicle fingerprints (make, model, color, license plate, and unique modifications like roof racks).

Nolan added that a systematic approach is taking place to identify nuisance yard problems and letters are being sent out to those residents.

Ordinances and Resolutions

The following Resolutions were were passed:

a. Resolution No. 2026-11A Amending Resolution No. 2026-11 to Correct a Clerical Error in the Property Address on one of the new mural locations at 310 S Prairie Ave.

b. Resolution 2026-13 Supporting Participation in the Illinois Municipal League Housing Initiative and Adoption of Related Housing Policies.

c. Resolution 2026-14 Approving an Agreement with Granite Telecommunications, LLC for EPIK Analog Replacement Services for Village Wells and Lift Stations.

d. Resolution 2026-15 Approving a Service Agreement with Republic Services for Wood Chip Removal Services.

e. Resolution 2026-16 Awarding the Contract for the 2026 MFT Maintenance Program (Section 26-00000-00-GM) to D Construction, Inc.

NEW BUSINESS

The following motions were approved:

a. Motion to approve the payments in between board meetings of $91,965.84

b. Motion to approve the payments of June 23, 2026, of $109,558.73

c. Motion to approve sidewalk application and reimbursement at 417 W. Mazon Ave

d. Motion to approve Harvest Days Special Use Liquor Permit for September 17-20, 2026

e. Motion to approve the Country Mansion sound amplification permit on July 4th, 2026, from Noon-12:00 am

f. Motion to Accept the resignation of Police Officer Watson Mckee.

g. Motion to approve the Chamlin invoice of $98,886.70 reimbursable from the ITEP Grant

h. Motion to approve the Dorner Quote for a valve replacement of $5,719.00

i. Motion to approve the Real Estate Tax bill for 105 Watters Drive that was credited at closing in the amount of $15,527.54

j. Motion to approve the revised 2026 MFT Estimate of Maintenance Costs (Section 26-00000-00-GM)

The next meeting of the Dwight Village Board will be Tuesday, July 28.