CARTHAGE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MAY 26th, 2026

The Regular Meeting of the Carthage City Council was held Tuesday, May 26 th , 2026, at
City Hall, 538 Wabash Avenue. Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
Answering to roll call were Aldermen Smith, Roberts, Steinkamp, Long, Biondolino and
Walker. City Treasurer Pam Edris was absent.
Motion was made by Alderman Walker, seconded by Smith to approve the regular
meeting minutes of May 12 th . All six Aldermen answered “aye” in approval.
Motion was made by Alderman Walker, seconded by Smith to approve the Special
meeting minutes of May 18 th . All six Aldermen answered “aye” in approval.
Clerk Roberts reported to the Council that the Planning Commission met on May 21 st at
6:00 p.m. They discussed changing an area that is zoned as R-5: Mobile Home Zone into
an R-3: Single Family Dwelling District. The City no longer allows for Mobile homes in
the City limits and the surrounding zones to this area are R-3: Single Family Dwelling.
They also discussed adding an S-4: Historical District over the top of the B-2: Central
Business District that is around the square and one block off of the square. This would
area would be zoned as B-2 and S-4.
Motion was made by Alderman Smith, seconded by Walker to approve the changes as
discussed above that were approved by the Planning Commission. All six Aldermen
voted “yes”.
Motion was made by Alderman Roberts, seconded by Smith to approve paying the non-
Aldermen members of the Planning Commission for the meeting on May 21 st . All six
Aldermen voted “yes”.
Alderman Smith reported to the Council that Brown Electric started work on the new
camera system at the intersection of Buchanan and Madison today.
Alderman Biondolino reported to the Council that AEC, LLC has recently sampled and
had two of the wells abandoned. He also reported that the City will be asking for bids for
asbestos abatement at 14 S. Douglas.
Alderman Long reported to the Council that D&L has started work on a building to house
the electronics at the water treatment plant for the new deep well. He also reported that a
company will be here on May 28 th to jet the sewer system on North Washington. They
will also have a camera system and cutters to clean out the sewer system. They
previously had a camera system look at that sewer line and there were a lot of tree roots

and a few private sewer lines that extend to far into the City sewer system. Both of
which have caused several backups in this area.
Motion to adjourn by Alderman Walker, seconded by Roberts at 8:03 PM
Respectfully submitted,

Scott Roberts
City Clerk

 

Hancock County Health Department Jessica Croy and Brandon Daniels on Temporary food events and Vector Survellance

 

Barb Drodz is in the WCAZ Studio to tell everyone where the River Bend Food Bank is May 30th and how you can  receive  items or how you can also be a volunteer  for this great  program of  Feeding America 

 

Road Closure Sutter Intersection - For resurfacing  5/28/26 - 5/29/26

 

Sutter Intersection - For resurfacing.

 

East - West Coordinates - 800 East - 1000 East

North - South Coordinates - 450 North - 600 North

 

From 7:00 a.m. 5/28/26 - 5/29/26.

 

 

Sandburg joins regional consortium to support inland maritime careers

Sandburg has signed on to be a charter member of a new, multi-state consortium to support inland maritime workforce needs in the upper Midwest.

 

The Corn Belt Ports Rural Logistics & Maritime Training & Education Consortium is a regional workforce development initiative that brings together a network of higher education institutions from Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin located along the upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Its focus is to further align with the industry demands for afloatand ashore careers and to solidify long-term regional collaboration.   

 

The consortium includes Sandburg, Western Illinois University, Black Hawk College, Culver-Stockton College, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, Illinois Central College, John Wood Community College, Northeast Iowa Community College, the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse and Western Technical College.

 

"Sandburg is committed to finding ways to engage with industry partners to meet the workforce needs of employers in our region,” said Ellen Burns, dean of career technical education at Sandburg. “Joining this consortium is the latest example of our dedication to workforce development collaboration that benefits not only Sandburg’s district but to the entire upper Midwest."

 

Member schools will work with Corn Belt Ports, an organization of federally recognized ports within the Corn Belt’s lock-and-dam system, to keep the consortium’s work aligned with industry goals and academic strengths. They’ll also partner with We Work the Waterways, a national nonprofit education organization, to ensure regional efforts meet maritime workforce priorities. 

 

Brooke Blanton  is your newest member of Mealiff Insurance  in Carthage.    Brooke is happy to help you shop for new insurance needs or existing policies to make sure you have the best coverage for your best needs, stop in to Mealiff Insurance and introduce yourself! 

 

Richlyn Hoener with the Hancock County Farm Bureau on what to look forward to this summer

After the May 22nd game Shawn talks with Wesley Robinson 

 

After the May 22nd game Shawn talks with Wesley Robinson 

 

What's  up Doc with Dr Tom Grant

 

The 47th Strawberry Strut in Carthage is just a few days away, on Saturday, June  6.
The Strawberry Strut includes the classic 5-mile run along the Carthage Lake, a 5K run, a 5K walk and a one mile fun run/walk.
Participants  can still register on-line at the advance price until end of the day June 5. To sign up, go to runsignup.com/Race/IL/Carthage/StrawberryStrut.
Those who have pre-registered can pick up race packets on Friday, June 6, from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Hancock County Courthouse in Carthage, or after 7 a.m. the morning of the race. All race packets must be picked up by 7:45 a.m. Race day registration is available at 7 a.m. and will end at 7:45 a.m.
The fee for the 5-mile run, the 5K run and 5K walk is $30 in advance, increasing to $35 on race day. The advanced fee for the one-mile run/walk is $10, or $15 on race day.
Race starting times are staggered. Participants will start on the following schedule:
? 5-mile run – 8:15 a.m.
? 5K walk – 8:30 a.m.
? 5K run – 8:40 a.m.
? 1-mile fun run/ walk – 8:45 a.m.
Awards will be presented at around 10 a.m.
There are three water stops along the 5-mile course, sponsored by Carthage Kiwanis and Boy Scouts. State Farm Insurance, Kris Dornbush, will provide water at the finish line.
Sponsors who have given to the Strawberry Strut committee include:
Super Strut sponsors –    WCAZ, Fortress Bank, Marine Bank and Trust, Carthage Veterinary Service and Professional Swine Management, Ramsey Financial Services, Memorial Hospital, Western Illinois Mutual Insurance, MORE Medical, WCAZ, and Chem Gro, Inc.;
Strawberry Field sponsors – Stephen Evans Family, Brenda Young Real Estate, MTC Communications, Will Sullivan, and Country Financial 
Proceeds from the race have been pledged to benefit Hancock County Fights
Cancer, whose survivor event will be held this year on Sept. 26.
Watch Strawberry Strut on Facebook for updates or to find an easy-to-use link to sign up.

Miss Watson 4th grade class from Carthage Elementary stops by WCAZ

 

Nauvoo Tourist Director  Rebecca Williamson Invites you  spend Memorial Weekend in Nauvoo

 

CARTHAGE CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MAY 18th, 2026

The Special Meeting of the Carthage City Council was held Monday, May 18 th , 2026, at
City Hall, 538 Wabash Avenue. Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.
Answering to roll call were Aldermen Smith, Roberts, Steinkamp, Long, Biondolino and
Walker. City Treasurer Pam Edris was absent.
Alderman Walker reported to the Council that the Finance Committee along with Clerk
Roberts, Deputy Clerk Alice Dean and Mayor Smith interviewed 4 individuals that
applied for the Deputy Clerk position.
Mayor Smith noted that all four interviewees were good applicants and would have
served the City well in the role of Deputy Clerk.
After discussion a motion was made by Alderman Walker, seconded by Smith to approve
hiring Teena LeMaire as the new Deputy Clerk starting May 26 th . Her starting salary will
be $44,500.00. Aldermen Smith, Roberts, Steinkamp, Biondolino and Walker voted
“yes”. Alderman Long abstained. Motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.
The Council discussed approving the changes that have already been suggested for the
Code Book before moving on to updating the rest of the Code Book. Clerk Roberts was
instructed to type up the changes that have been suggested up to this point and email
them to the Aldermen so that the changes can be approved at the next Council meeting.
Motion to adjourn by Alderman Smith, seconded by Biondolino at 6:42 PM
Respectfully submitted,

Scott Roberts
City Clerk

 

Fortress Bank Community Commerce Day is  June 12th~

Its free to the entire community!   Have Lunch on Fortress Bank 10-1  all on the Carthage Courthouse lawn

 

Miss Johnson 4th grade class from Carthage Elementary stop by WCAZ

 

 Illini West Charger Varsity Baseball vs Orion- Update Date Change to  May 21st

 

 

Due to potential weather conditions for Friday, the varsity baseball game vs Orion will now be played on Thursday, May 21st at 5:00 in Carthage.

Winners of 37th Sandburg Poetry Competition announced

 Sandburg has announced the winners of the 37th annual Sandburg Poetry Competition.

 

First through third place and honorable mentions were selected in four categories: elementary (grades K-5), junior (grades 6-8), intermediate (grades 9-12) and adult. Award winners were invited to attend a banquet April 30 in the Student Center on Sandburg’s Galesburg campus.

 

Elementary

First place — “When It Rains” by Eva Godina

Second place — “ABC Poem about My Baby Brother” by Raeley Lee

Third place — “I Wish” by Louisa Kamerer

Honorable mention — “My Class is a Zoo” by Sutton Boley

Honorable mention — “No One’s Life is Perfect” by Baylor Leffler

 

Junior 

First place — “Caged Canary” by Stella Bennett

Second place — “Dear Grandma” by Vida Wilcox

Third place — “War” by Ethan King

Honorable mention — “Blooming with Time” by Nael Morales Medina

Honorable mention — “I am from” by Addison Hawk

 

Intermediate 

First place — “Dear Earth” by Apolonia McClure

Second place — “The Echo We Carry” by Kaleia Pulse

Third place — “Stories” by Lily Heitz

Honorable mention — “The Woods” by Lillian Rogers

Honorable mention — “Shallow Ribs” by Katelin Rohlfes

 

Adult 

First place — “Silent Scene” by Gary Armstrong

Second place — “La Harpe, Illinois” by Tricia Owsley

Third place — “Unity” by Kristy Ordoña

Honorable mention — “Prairie” by Darrin Ross

Honorable mention — “Goodbye…Or Something Like It” by Christopher Bell

 

 

 

DOWNTOWN SUMMER CONCERT SERIES BRINGS

LIVE MUSIC TO CHANDLER PARK

 

MACOMB, IL – The Downtown Summer Concert Series is back for another season of afternoon
entertainment in Chandler Park beginning Wednesday, June 3, 2026. The season will start with
a performance by Bill Maakastad starting at 12:00 p.m. in the Chandler Park Gazebo. Guests
are encouraged to bring their lunch, along with a lawn chair or blanket to sit and enjoy the
concert.
Performances for the 2026 season include: June 3 – Bill Maakastad, June 10 - Prairieland
Barbershop Chorus, June 17 – The Bayou Prowlers, July 1 – King Neptune Band, July 8 -
SummerStage, July 15 -Rooftop Swing Band, July 22 – Nauvoo Pageant Bagpipe Band, and July
29 – Troublesome Ridge Bluegrass Band. All performances will begin at 12:00 p.m. and
conclude at 1:00 PM.
In the event of inclement weather, the Western Illinois Museum will serve as the alternate
concert location, located at 201 South Lafayette Street. Any change in venue will be
announced the morning of the event through local media and community channels.
“We are excited to keep the music going all summer long, rain or shine, thanks to our
partnership with the Western Illinois Museum” shares Marketing and Downtown
Development Director, Savannah Ballard.

Brittany Clark, Victor Dantas named 2026 Sandburg alumni award winners

 Sandburg has announced the winners of its 2026 alumni awards. Brittany Clark, a 2009 graduate, was selected as the Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient, and Victor Dantas, a 2018 graduate, received the Pacesetter Award. 

 

Clark and Dantas are also Sandburg’s nominees for the Illinois Community College Association’s Distinguished Alumnus and Pacesetter awards. The ICCTA award winners will be announced at the organization’s banquet June 5 in Lombard.

 

2026 Distinguished Alumnus Award 
Brittany Clark ’09

Clark graduated from Sandburg with both an associate in arts and an associate in general studies. She then transferred to Indiana Wesleyan University, where she completed her bachelor’s degree in business.

Today, Clark is the owner of Snap Fitness in Sherman and serves as the statewide recruitment manager for the state of Illinois. In 2025, she was recognized for her outstanding contributions to state government as a recipient of the National Association of State Chief Administrators (NASCA) 20 Under 40 Award. She also continues to champion for community colleges like Sandburg and the students they serve.

“My life was shaped profoundly by my education at Carl Sandburg College," Clark said. "I enrolled at 17 after leaving an unsafe home, determined to change my circumstances. I didn’t know exactly what career I wanted, but I knew education was my path forward. Sandburg was local, affordable and, most importantly, became the first true community I had ever experienced.

"As a student, I served as Student Government Association president and student trustee, discovering my voice and confidence as a leader. Faculty mentors changed my trajectory. David Kellogg challenged me to be strong and self-assured, while Dan Yasenko expanded my understanding of career pathways and encouraged me to pursue opportunities in Springfield, guidance that ultimately shaped my professional future. Even my half-credit fitness courses planted seeds that would later grow into business ownership. 

"I built a career dedicated to workforce development. Today, I lead innovative hiring initiatives and build partnerships that expand access to opportunity.

"Community college did more than educate me. It gave me stability, mentorship, leadership skills and belief in my potential. It transformed my life, and I remain committed to ensuring others have that same opportunity.”

 

2026 Pacesetter Award 

Victor Dantas ’18

 

A first-generation college student, Dantas arrived in the United States from his native Brazil with limited English proficiency. Through remarkable determination and self-discipline, he taught himself the language and pursued his education goals.

 

Dantas graduated from Sandburg in 2018 with an associate in arts and later transferred to Western Illinois University, where he earned his bachelor’s in supply chain management. Since then, he’s built a career defined by notable success in marketing and entrepreneurship.

 

As the co-owner of Clear Profits Digital Marketing in Monmouth, Dantas has helped generate over $80 million in results for businesses across a wide range of industries. The campaigns and brands Dantas has guided have produced over 1 billion organic video views and impressions nationwide, most notably with Judy’s Family Café. His work has elevated brand exposure and garnered recognition across major media platforms, including The New York Times, CBS News, WGN, nationally syndicated radio and podcast networks and even “The Jennifer Hudson Show.”

 

“I came to the United States from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on a six-month tourist visa,” Dantas said. “My only goal was to learn English. But as a tourist, I wasn’t allowed to take classes — so I taught myself. I learned by talking to people, making friends and spending hours in the Sandburg library reading everything I could get my hands on.

 

“During that time, I tried out for the Sandburg soccer team. I had just one month left before my visa expired and had to return to Brazil. Everything I hoped for depended on the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) test.

 

“I passed it in my final month.

 

“Sandburg gave me more than a degree. Soccer gave me structure. The classroom gave me confidence. For the first time since coming to America, I felt like I had a home. That changed everything. I earned my bachelor's degree at Western Illinois University, built multiple businesses, coached student-athletes and have given back to the places that gave so much to me. Today, my work has helped create jobs, bring tourists from across the country and put Galesburg on national television, newspapers and podcasts.

 

“And this is just the beginning.

 

I am proud to be from Galesburg. I am proud to be a Sandburg Charger. This city and this college gave me my start, and I plan to spend the rest of my career making sure the world knows what kind of people and opportunities come from here.”

Sandburg student groups honored with resolution by Illinois Rep. Dan Swanson

GALESBURG — State Rep. Dan Swanson and the Illinois General Assembly recently recognized several Sandburg student organizations with a resolution celebrating their commitments to community service.

 

Swanson helped pass House Resolution 837 to honor the volunteer efforts by students in Sandburg’s Men of Distinction, Women of Character, International Student Club, Hispanic-Latino Student Association, Black Student Association and African Student Association.

 

From August 2024-March 2026, the organizations had a participation rate of 76 percent and completed 4,261 verified volunteer hours. They fulfilled 2,178 commitments over the course of 349 service opportunities in areas of education, civic/community engagement, health initiatives and children’s services. All told, their hours of engagement had an economic impact of more than $148,000.

 

Swanson presented the resolution to the leaders of the student organizations May 8 at Sandburg.

 

“This resolution says a lot about everyone in this room and says a lot about Sandburg,” Swanson said. “I'm honored to be able to present this today, and it just astounded me how much you do here with that volunteerism, that leadership, that community. All those words are just buzzwords at some places, but it's action to you. And that is impressive.”

Sandburg honors 2026 Faculty, Adjunct Faculty, Staff Member of the Year Award winners

—Sandburg recognized the 2026 winners for Faculty of the Year, Adjunct Faculty of the Year and Staff Member of the Year during its 58th annual commencement Thursday evening on the Galesburg campus.

James Sanders was selected as Faculty of the Year, Becky Echelberger was named Adjunct Faculty of the Year and Mike Kratz was chosen as Staff Member of the Year.

2026 Faculty of the Year
James Sanders

A psychology instructor at Sandburg since 2000, Sanders teaches Introduction to Psychology, Social Psychology, Human Sexuality, Abnormal Psychology, Psychology of Personality, Social Psychology of Aging. This marks Sanders’ final year of teaching at Sandburg.

Originally from North Carolina, Sanders earned his bachelor’s from the University of Colorado, and he has a Ph.D. in applied experimental psychology from the University of Texas at El Paso. 

“The most beneficial aspect of the course was the application to real life,” one student wrote in their nomination of Sanders. “Many of the topics discussed had a direct correlation to my life and my work. Professor Sanders did an excellent job explaining key concepts and providing examples which were enlightening and applicable.” 

Sanders serves on the Curriculum Committee at Sandburg and has been a member of the American Psychological Association, the Midwestern Psychological Association and Knox College’s institutional research board. He lives in Macomb with his wife, Kimberley McClure, a psychology professor at Western Illinois University whom he met while studying at UTEP. They plan to retire to northern Michigan.

“I feel very fortunate to have been able to talk about a topic that I enjoy, share it with people and maybe inspire a few that I know have gone on to get their Ph.D.s,” Sanders said. “It’s not often that people get a career where they’re doing stuff they really, really enjoy.”

2026 Adjunct Faculty of the Year
Becky Echelberger

A 2006 graduate of Sandburg’s dental hygiene program, Echelberger has been an adjunct clinic instructor in that field at the college since 2014. This marks the second year in a row Echelberger has been named Adjunct Faculty of the Year.

Echelberger’s passion for teaching oral hygiene goes beyond the classroom and clinic. She annually visits elementary schools in her hometown of Kewanee to present to children on the importance of dental health and safety. Echelberger has included students in the dental hygiene program on those visits in recent years. She’s also worked with local health departments to complete oral cancer screenings for area residents and is certified in mental health first aid.

“I'm incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to not only work here, but to get to connect with the students,” Echelberger said. “I love my job, and I love the impact we make on the students and the community.”

In addition to teaching at Sandburg, Echelberger works as a dental hygienist at The Dental Group of Galesburg. She lives in Kewanee with her two children, Jubilee and Will.

“I love building genuine connections with students and having dedication in every interaction with them,” Echelberger said. “I want to educate them, but I also want to inspire them to become competent, skilled and caring dental hygienists because I’m really passionate about the field.”

2026 Staff Member of the Year
Mike Kratz

Now the college’s coordinator of technology support services, Kratz started at Sandburg in 1996 as a data processing operator, where he ran and provided enrollment reports for employees in the days before everyone had a computer. 

“I ran backup tapes and reports, and we delivered printouts to people every three days,” Kratz said. “So if you wanted up-to-date numbers, you had to talk to me. It was very ancient.”

Thirty years later, Kratz’s role has evolved to assisting students, faculty and staff with IT needs. Known for his jovial demeanor, Kratz first joined the tech help team as PCs became more commonplace at Sandburg.

“I think we still do the same jobs here, but the technology supporting it has changed,” Kratz said. “From my world, I try to be friends with whoever I'm with. I like to think I make it a little bit better place for people just by being myself around them. While I'm there fixing something for someone, I'm doing my job, but it doesn't feel like I'm doing my job if I'm talking to you about other things.”

Kratz has been a treasurer for the Sandburg Education Association, served on the grievance committee and is a longtime staple of the college’s noon basketball group. He lives in Galva with his wife, Missy. They have two adult children and a granddaughter.

“We really have a lot of good employees,” Kratz said. “The hard part’s probably making the decision year after year for somebody.”

CARTHAGE CITY COUNCIL  AGENDA  SPECIAL MEETING MAY 18, 2026

 

MAYOR:
Roll Call
Public Comments
CLERK:
TREASURER:
CITY ATTORNEY:
PUBLIC SAFETY:
PUBLIC PROPERTY:
FINANCE:
Hire Deputy Clerk
PUBLIC WORKS:
LEGISLATIVE:
Code Book Update

Carthage Community Library Kicks off Summer Reading at the WOW Park on May 28th 

 

What's  up Doc with Dr Tom Grant