City of Litchfield Meeting | January 22, 2026

The Litchfield City Council met on Thursday, January 22, 2026, to address infrastructure projects, property management, and lake operations. The meeting was headlined by a unanimous decision to retain the American Legion building at Walton Park rather than selling it as surplus property. The Council also authorized significant equipment purchases for Lake Lou Yaeger to improve visitor experiences and heard updates on several major engineering projects, including the upcoming reconstruction of Skyview Drive in the industrial park.

News Briefs:

Infrastructure Project Timelines: Lee from Milano & Grunloh Engineering provided updates on 2026 construction projects. The Skyview Drive reconstruction in the industrial park is set for a pre-construction meeting in February, with work beginning in March or April. The Safe Routes to School sidewalk project is expected to see construction in July and August.

SRO Agreement Renewed: The Council approved a resolution authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Board of Education of Litchfield Community Unit School District #12. This agreement continues the placement of a School Resource Officer within the district to ensure student and staff safety.

Donor-Funded Landscaping: A motion was passed to accept a proposal from Mike Klaves for landscaping services totaling $31,450. Mayor Jacob Fleming confirmed that this beautification project is fully covered by funds from a private donor and will not utilize taxpayer money.

Residential Demolitions Approved: The Council authorized demolition agreements for three unsafe residential structures located at 1522 North Jackson, 1224 South Franklin, and 404 North Walnut. These demolitions are part of the city’s efforts to remove vacant and hazardous buildings.

Public Meeting on Hunting: Mayor Fleming announced a public meeting regarding hunting on city-owned land, scheduled for Tuesday, January 27, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. The meeting aims to gather feedback from hunters to ensure safe and responsible practices.

Post Office Box Update: The Mayor reported that the city is waiting on a legal review from the U.S. Postal Service regarding the downtown drive-up mailbox. The current agreement proposes that the Post Office pays for bollards while the City covers the cost of the concrete pad.