Meeting Summary and Briefs: Litchfield City Council for March 19, 2026

Litchfield City Council Meeting | March 19, 2026

The Litchfield City Council met for its regular open session on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at City Hall. Mayor Jacob Fleming called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. Present for the roll call were Alderpersons Marilyn Sisson, Sara Zumwalt, Dwayne Gerl, Robbin Huffman, Josh Hughes, Bob Garcia, Bert Holloway, and Ray Kellenberger. The meeting featured the swearing-in of new Police Chief Robert L. Carpenter and praise for the fire department’s handling of a massive bowling alley fire. The council also approved a switch to United Healthcare for employee insurance, authorized a new Casey’s development, and advanced a water main engineering contract. At the conclusion of the regular agenda, the council entered into an executive session to discuss the appointment, employment, and compensation of specific employees, as well as the purchase or lease of real property.

City Reallocates Tourism Funding Through MCEDC
The council unanimously approved an $18,000 payment to the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) for tourism promotion services. According to the agenda packet, the city previously contracted directly with the Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau for $40,000 annually. Under the new arrangement, the city will receive tourism promotion services as a participating member of the MCEDC, splitting the contract costs with other participating members to achieve a lesser overall cost for the municipality.

Short-Term Rental Approved on East Water Street
The council approved a pair of measures to grant a Special Use Permit to Sandra Adams, allowing for the operation of a short-term rental property (Air BNB) in an S-1 single-family residential zoning district. The property is located at 508 E. Water Street. The council first approved a resolution making separate statements of findings of fact, followed by an ordinance officially granting the permit. Both measures passed unanimously.

Demolition Agreements Reached for Two Derelict Properties
The council unanimously approved two separate demolition agreements targeting derelict residential structures. The agreements authorize the demolition of properties located at 115 East South Street (owned by Marva L. Uchtman) and 1221 North Van Buren (owned by Joe Wood). The demolitions will be fully reimbursed through the city’s $258,000 allocation from the IHDA Strong Communities grant program, which allows property owners to consent to demolition rather than forcing the city to pursue court orders.

City Recognizes 6th Grade Wrestling State Champion
During the City Report, Mayor Jacob Fleming proudly announced that Litchfield is home to a new state champion. Owen Prior, a local sixth grader, recently won the Class A state wrestling championship in the 65-pound weight class. Mayor Fleming reported that he signed a letter to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to have official recognition signs installed in Litchfield honoring Prior’s achievement, which will be placed alongside existing signs for local track and field champion Sam Moos.

Post Office Box Relocated, Petition Circulates
Mayor Fleming provided a brief update on the ongoing local effort to restore a drive-up United States Postal Service drop box in the community. He noted that a local citizen and colleague recently spearheaded a petition drive that garnered 500 signatures, which will be submitted to the Post Office to demonstrate public demand. Alderperson Josh Hughes added that while a drive-up box has not been restored, the Post Office has installed a walk-up box on the north side of the facility for public use.