Braidwood Journal

Braidwood City Council declares items as surplus property

Published by admin on Tue, 11/21/2023 - 2:55pm

The city of Braidwood will shed itself of some excess and unused property that’s been taking up space at the public works buildings.

On Nov. 14, the City Council approved a measure to dispose of surplus property.

By state stature, municipalities can deem property that is “no longer necessary or useful to, or for the best interests of the city” as surplus, which can then be scrapped or sold, with the proceeds going back into the budget.

Braidwood City Council aims to fill empty seats on zoning board

Published by admin on Tue, 11/14/2023 - 3:31pm

With multiple property developments set to come before the city, Braidwood is urgently looking to fill out the vacant seats on the zoning board to move those projects ahead.

On Tuesday, the City Council was expected to approve the appointment of Deborah Jackson to one of the vacant unexpired terms on the board.

Officially listed by code as the Plan Commission, the board acts as the zoning board of appeals and is colloquially referred to as the zoning board.

Tryner farm development plans to return to Braidwood City Hall

Published by admin on Tue, 11/14/2023 - 3:29pm

A builder hoping to turn the Tryner Farm into a combined industrial and residential development will return to City Hall in December, seeking amendments to place small scale industrial buildings and townhomes along 78 acres of the farmland at 1121 N. Division St.

Mike Guinta will bring an update of his original proposal to the zoning board for a public hearing on Monday, Dec. 4. The proposal is an amended version of the original concept plan brought to the board back in August, adapted after some heated public debate over those initial plans.

D’Orazio subdivision plans set for review in Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 11/14/2023 - 3:27pm

More than a year after the agreement was first penned, representatives from D’Orazio Ford and Arnie Bauer Chevrolet/GMC will be before the city of Braidwood this month with the next step for bringing the two dealerships to Braidwood’s north side.

The Braidwood Zoning Board will have a special meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 29 in order to hold a public hearing on the subdivision of the property along Division and EZ Streets.

City leaders said the hearing for the property at 1140 N. Division will only involve subdividing the property.

Randall in the RCHS Senior Spotlight for November

Published by admin on Tue, 11/14/2023 - 3:24pm

The Reed-Custer High School Senior Spotlight winner for the month of November is Zach Randall. Zach is the son of James and Armanda Randall.

Braidwood comprehensive plan open house slated for this month

Published by admin on Tue, 11/07/2023 - 3:19pm

It was January 2022 when city leaders in Braidwood were first informed that the city would receive technical assistance creating a new comprehensive plan.

Now, with public comments and survey results in hand, the city is ready for the next steps, starting with an open house and discussion at the end of this month.

A lifetime of dedication honored in Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 11/07/2023 - 3:17pm

To anyone just passing by, the lives of Jack and Karen Bunting may have seemed like typical small town faire in Braidwood in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Like so many others from the area, Jack worked at Caterpillar and Karen raised the couple’s four children, Liz, David, Matthew, and Jacqueline.

But the Buntings did much more than lead a quiet life in the country.

The couple’s years of service and dedication to the city of Braidwood and its residents were recognized over the summer with the official dedication of an honorary street in their names.

Three of five Braidwood City Council seats to be placed on ballot in 2025

Published by admin on Tue, 10/31/2023 - 2:31pm

Just six months after a hotly contested election, one that saw more than 1,300 voters come out to cast their ballots, the Braidwood City Council only has two of its five elected leaders still in their seats.

On Oct. 24, Mayor Karen Hart announced during the regular meeting of the City Council that Public Health and Safety Commissioner James Mikel had resigned his post.

Hart said earlier in the month that Mikel had let her know of his intent to resign, however, per state law, a resignation is only valid once it is put in writing and notarized.

Braidwood Coalition a Blue Ribbon winner

Published by admin on Tue, 10/31/2023 - 2:30pm

Members of the Braidwood Area Healthy Community Coalition (BAHCC) celebrated a milestone event on Monday, standing alongside members of other coalitions from across the country to receive a Blue Ribbon Award from the White House at the National Youth Substance Use Prevention Summit.

Coalition members traveled to Washington, D.C. on Oct. 30 for the recognition, which honored the BAHCC’s outstanding work to prevent youth substance use and ensure young people can lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

Goodwin is Braidwood's new Chief of Police

Published by admin on Tue, 10/31/2023 - 2:27pm

The city of Braidwood has a new Chief of Police.

On Oct. 24, Bret Goodwin, a veteran of the department for more than two decades, was approved as a mayoral appointment to the position and officially sworn in.

Goodwin was appointed as interim chief on Oct. 17, following the resignation of Chief Todd Lyons, who had recommended with his resignation that Goodwin serve as the next chief.

The council also approved a benefits package for Goodwin.