Coal City Courant

Why Unit 1 is proposing a 25.7% tax levy increase

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

Each year in the month of November, the Coal City Community Unit District 1 Board of Education approves placing its tentative property tax levy on file, the amount of the request is intended to cover district expenses for the coming year.

For tax year 2023, payable in 2024, the school district is seeking to collect $33.8 million in corporate and special purpose property taxes. The amount outlined in the tentative levy represents a 25.7% increase over the previous year.

Coal City Theatre Department to present High School Musical, Jr.

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

When Coal City Middle School held its musical in spring 2010, it was the start of something new.

It was the vision of then Superintendent Dr. Kent Bugg, to establish a middle school program that not only provided a new opportunity for students, but one that broke down barriers between student groups and fostered an enjoyment in the performing arts that would carry over into high school.

Unit 1 Board members honored

Published by admin on Tue, 11/07/2023 - 3:05pm

Unit 1 Board of Education members recognized by state association Coal City Community Unit School District 1 Board of Education president Ken P. Miller and vice president Shawn Hamilton have been recognized by the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) for their participation in professional development and leadership activities during their service as members of the school board.

Scouting for food! Annual food drive this weekend

Published by admin on Tue, 10/31/2023 - 2:18pm

Last year local girl and boy scouts troops collected almost 6,000 pounds of food during the annual food drive to supply the local pantry.

This year Cub Scout Pack 466 and others want to beat that record and they need your help starting Saturday.

Pack 466 organizes the food drive to benefit the Coal City Food Pantry. As in the past, the scouts are calling on area residents to pick up a few extra items when venturing out the grocery store this week.

Riverside expanding Coal City clinic

Published by admin on Tue, 10/31/2023 - 2:16pm

Riverside Healthcare will construct a 10,000 square-foot addition to its Coal City campus.

The addition will double the size of the healthcare facility that opened in 2008 at 5775 E. Route 113.

Kyle Benoit, Riverside’s chief operating officer, announced the expansion plan during the Oct. 25 meeting of the Coal City Village Board. He was joined by Riverside president and CEO Phil Kambic, along with the hospital’s director of facilities and project manager.

“It’s all good news,” Coal City Mayor Dave Spesia said.

New guidelines in place for residential construction in Coal City

Published by admin on Tue, 10/31/2023 - 2:14pm

Coal City’s Planning and Zoning Board has been working on amendments to the town’s residential design guidelines and village trustees have adopted the recommendations.

The residential design guidelines were first adopted in 2006 and the changes adopted last week are the first to come before the Village Board for consideration and approval.

The changes focused on property setbacks.

A bit of Broadway

Published by admin on Tue, 10/31/2023 - 2:13pm

The Coal City Theatre Department held its annual Broadway Bound concert on Saturday, Oct. 28. The cabaret performance served as a fundraiser ahead of the students upcoming educational trip to New York City in spring 2024.

Senior Elaina Patten served as the emcee for the evening and provided the audience with a performance of Little Girls from Annie. She also collaborated on a number from Hadestown  with sophomore Mason Hamilton who sang Hey Little Song Bird.

Coaler Paradise

Published by admin on Tue, 09/26/2023 - 5:14pm

Homecoming is a time to commemorate the pride one has for their school community and in this community, there is a lot of Coaler Pride to celebrate.
Next week is Coal City High School’s Homecoming, a week-long celebration designed to be the best week of the year for high schoolers with lots of fun activities, traditions and plenty of celebrating.
Student Council is responsible for organizing homecoming week activities, from setting up dress up days and class competitions, to hosting the pep assembly and dance.

Revenue ahead of expenses

Published by admin on Tue, 09/26/2023 - 5:12pm

A $47 million spending plan was adopted by the Unit 1 Board of Education this month, a 24.29% increase in expenditures over the prior year’s budget.

Over 75% of the district’s expenditures are for educational expenses and capital projects—$26.6 million and $8.76 million, respectively.

Revenues are budgeted at $53.3 million, an increase of 53.17% over the prior fiscal year, and $7.3 million over planned expenses.

Vandalism to Hope Helps playground once again addressed with Coal City Village Board

Published by admin on Tue, 09/26/2023 - 5:11pm

For at least the third time Brittney Kaluzny stood before the Coal City Village Board last week to address the vandalism that keeps occurring at Hope Helps All-inclusive Playground.
On two other occasions, Kaluzny was told there would be additional police patrols in the park and town officials also discussed reviewing the surveillance system that’s in place.