Road projects, schools, Durbin highlight 'State of the Community'

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Business leaders, organizations, and nonprofits gathered in Mount Zion Thursday for the annual State of the Community event.

The event was hosted by the Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce at the Mt. Zion Convention Center.

Business leaders, nonprofits, and other organizations within Macon County attended the event which featured mayors of Decatur, Forsyth, and Mount Zion as well as the Macon County Board Chairman and DPS61 School Board President.

Decatur Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe spoke briefly about the impact of Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) on Decatur and the region. She spoke of his initial work in Congress as a Representative and not forgetting his roots that led to lots of federal money coming back to the area as a U.S. Senator.

Durbin announced Wednesday he would not seek re-election to the U.S. Senate, sparking what is expected to be a large field of candidates to replace him.

Moore Wolfe noted that Durbin was instrumental in getting air service to Decatur and the label as an essential air service city. She also noted the millions of dollars Durbin was able to secure for area road and bridge projects.

Macon County Board Chairman Kevin Greenfield quipped he was announcing his candidacy to fill Durbin's seat which drew laughs from the hundreds in attendance. Greenfield, a Republican, noted that work to help Macon County crossed party lines and shared a surprise phone call he received from Durbin announcing $3 million in funding for a county bridge project.

Greenfield noted the Reas Bridge project is still short $3 million in funding. He said best case scenario for work to be completed is by the end of 2025, but realistically it should be completed by spring 2026.

Moore Wolfe also talked about Tillamook setting up a facility north of downtown Decatur and how it will be an anchor for helping revitalize the neighborhood. She also noted the state's focus on clean energy and projects in Decatur and regionally that will provide millions in investments and create thousands of jobs in the decades to come.

The Decatur mayor also noted the Brush College Road construction project near ADM will finish in July 2026.

Forsyth Mayor Jim Peck mentioned the importance of work happening on U.S. 51. He asked for patience, but said the project will open avenues for economic development in Forsyth. The project, which has reduced lanes and snarled traffic over the last year, is expected to wrap up by late summer. The project included resurfacing, curb replacement, and upgrading to ADA standards for crosswalks.

Peck also noted Forsyth is working on additional housing projects, including a focus on 55+ communities and affordable housing.

Mount Zion Mayor Lucas Williams also discussed housing projects that are opening up and the need for more. He championed the efforts to lower taxes in Mt. Zion, road resurfacing projects, and adding traffic lights to IL-121 and East Village Parkway to help with traffic flow during events at the convention center.

Decatur Public Schools 61 Board President Bill Clevenger provided updates on progress within the district. Clevenger said the most important task for the district is finding a replacement for Superintendent Dr. Rochelle Clark, who announced her retirement in October. She'll step down at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.

Clevenger noted in his nearly four decades of being involved with DPS61 that he's worked with 17 superintendents. He noted that that has to change to stabilize leadership, build for the future, and grow the district.

He also referenced the fact that the district has 120 open teacher positions. He's hopeful that the district's international teacher program will fill 50 of those positions next school year.

Clevenger also noted the DPS Prep Academy will graduate its first class this year with 25 students. He said every student in the academy is on the National Honor Society. Their graduation gives them a DPS diploma and Associate's Degree from Richland College.