Braidwood Journal

BPD secures new weapons for officers

Published by admin on Tue, 12/19/2023 - 4:14pm

Out with the old, in with the new.

The members of the Braidwood Police Department will be outfitted with some new gear, following the approval of a purchase of weapons, holsters, and related equipment by the Braidwood City Council.

The mayor and commissioners gave the green light to that purchase during the council’s regular meeting on Dec. 12, two weeks after declaring some of the departments outdated weaponry as surplus.

CMAP delivers market analysis for Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 12/19/2023 - 4:12pm

After months of data collection and public engagement, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) has delivered its market analysis of the city of Braidwood, to assist the city with the creation of a new Comprehensive Plan.

The city has been working with CMAP on the effort to rejuvenate the plan, which was last updated in 2004. Braidwood was awarded the technical assistance nearly two years ago to put together a Comprehensive Plan, which acts like a road map for growth and development planning within the city limits.

Wilczak appointed to vacant Braidwood council seat

Published by admin on Tue, 12/12/2023 - 4:26pm

The Braidwood City Council once again has all five members on the dais.

On Nov. 28, the council unanimously approved the appointment of Ron Wilczak as Commissioner of Public Health and Safety.

That position was left vacant when previous commissioner James Mikel resigned in October.

Upon being sworn in, Wilczak briefly introduced himself to the members of the public.

Braidwood leaders explain TIF, and its benefits, at town hall meeting

Published by admin on Tue, 12/12/2023 - 4:23pm

When the city of Braidwood held its final town hall meeting for the public to get to know their leaders and ask any questions they want, the subject most discussed was how the city attracts new businesses.

Namely, folks in attendance at the special meeting on Nov. 28 wanted more information on TIF incentives offered for the new car dealerships coming to town.

TIF stands for tax increment financing. Braidwood currently has one active TIF district, TIF III.

Braidwood, Reed-Custer sign SRO agreement

Published by admin on Tue, 12/12/2023 - 4:20pm

The Braidwood Police Department will continue to provide a school resource officer (SRO) to Reed-Custer schools to keep watch over students, staff, and families and visitors to its three campuses.

On Nov. 28, the Braidwood City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Reed-Custer School District to provide that SRO to the district, a renewal of the same ongoing agreement between the city and the school district that has been in effect for several years.

Lepper in the Reed-Custer Senior Spotlight for December

Published by admin on Tue, 12/12/2023 - 4:19pm

The Reed-Custer High School Senior Spotlight winner for the month of December is Ben Lepper. Ben is the son of David and Jennifer Lepper.

During his high school career, Ben was involved in Golf, Baseball, POPS (Peers Offering Positive Solutions), and Safe School Ambassadors. He was also ICE Conference All-Academic in Baseball, a Student of the Month, an ACE winner, a member of the ICE Leadership Conference, and was on the Honor Roll.

His future plans are to attend Joliet Junior College and then transfer to a university to become an Accountant.

CMAP plans for public presentation Dec. 12 in Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 12/05/2023 - 5:51pm

Dozens of Braidwood residents waited in line and slowly filed into the Fossil Ridge Public Library’s large meeting room on Nov. 30, looking for information on the city’s plan to create a new comprehensive plan.

In 2022, city officials announced that they had been awarded technical assistance from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) to create the plan.

E-learning over snow days again the plan for Reed-Custer schools

Published by admin on Tue, 12/05/2023 - 5:47pm

Winter weather might keep kids out of the classroom when heavy storms blow in this season. But it won’t stop the learning process.

Reed-Custer Superintendent Mark Mitchell told members of the Board of Education on Nov. 15 that the district will continue to utilize e-learning days over snow days or emergency days this year, whenever possible.

Using those days means students will log in to their classes online, rather than have the day off and making it up at the end of the year.

Final town hall explores role of Braidwood city administrator

Published by admin on Tue, 12/05/2023 - 5:42pm

The city of Braidwood held the last of three town hall style meetings scheduled for this year last week. The final meeting attracted fewer than 20 residents asking some questions about how the city government is run.

At the top of the list and the issue that kicked off the meetings last summer: The duties of city administrator Tony Altiery.

Commissioner Dale Walsh scheduled the town hall sessions in July, September and November after the election and then quickly the resignation of Mayor Chris Earley had residents questioning how things operate at City Hall.

Reed-Custer schools make the grade

Published by admin on Tue, 11/28/2023 - 3:52pm

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released the 2023 Illinois Report Card late last month, with local schools showing strong progress three years after COVID-19 changed the face of education.

The annual report breaks down the academic performance of public schools in Illinois, both districtwide as well as for individual buildings. For the Reed-Custer School District, all three schools ranked as “commendable.”