Springfield City Council appoints new alderman

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - The Springfield City Council welcomed its newest alderman during Tuesday night's meeting.

The council unanimously appointed Jeffery Cox as the Ward 1 alderman. Cox will complete the remaining term of Alderman Chuck Redpath, who is now serving as city clerk.

Previously, Cox was an assistant state's attorney and worked at the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Currently, he oversees cannabis compliance for growers and processors in the state.

Additionally, the council provided updates on the current status of the city's housing project. The initiative to rehabilitate or construct 50 new homes on Springfield's east side is progressing.

During Tuesday's meeting, the council approved $500,000 in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds and $1 million in Home Investment Partnership funds for the Nehemiah Homes Redevelopment Project.

A spokesperson announced that the project will utilize a project labor agreement and union labor, following the overwhelming support expressed by unions last week.