The Charleston City Council voted Tuesday on a resolution to approve a local state of emergency with a termination provision. 

As stated in the resolution, “Upon the issuance of a declaration by the Governor of the State of Illinois that such Local State of Emergency is at an end pursuant to Ordinance 2020-O-7 of the Charleston City Code of Ordinances; the Mayor of the City of Charleston may likewise declare that the Local State of Emergency is at an end in the City of Charleston.” 

Two resolutions were approved to authorize various street closures. One for a temporary closure on July 3 for the safety of participants in the annual “4 for 4th: 4-Mile Foot Race” which is sponsored by Habitat for Humanity. The other street closures are for the Fourth of July Parade and related festivities. 

Specifically, the schedule for street closure for Fourth of July Parade and related festivities is listed in the resolution as follows:  

“CLOSED TO PARKING AND TRAFFIC:   

1. July 3, 2021–6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on July 4, 2021 Pierce Avenue from Division Street to 2nd Street.  

1. July 4, 2021–11:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monroe Avenue from 6th Street to 7th Street; Jackson Avenue from 6th Street to 7th Street; 7th Street from Jackson Avenue to Monroe Avenue; 6th Street from Monroe Avenue to Polk Avenue; Polk Avenue from 6th Street to Division Street; and Division Street from Polk Avenue to Grant Avenue;   

“CLOSED TO TRAFFIC:   

1. July 4, 2021–7:00 AM to 11:00 AM 1st Street from Polk Street to Pierce Avenue. 

1. July 4, 2021–11:00 AM to 3:00 PM 6th Street from Jackson Avenue to Polk Avenue; Polk Avenue from 6th Street to Division Street;   

1. July 4, 2021–3:00 PM to 5:00 PM Division Street from Pierce Avenue to Lincoln Avenue. 

“CLOSED TO PARKING:   

1. July 4, 2021–6:30 AM to 5:00 PM Division Street from Pierce Avenue to Lincoln Avenue.”  

Raffle license for the Red, White & Blue Days at various times on June 27 and July 3 to July 4 at the Charleston VFW and Morton Park to raise funds for festivities were also approved on the agenda. 

Approved through resolution was authorization of execution of an agreement between the City of Charleston and the International Union of Operating Engineers in accordance with terms and conditions listed in their contracts for workers. The new contract is for four years starting May 2021 and ending April 30 in 2025. This went over a variety of items such as cost of living raising 2.5 percent per year, provide health increase allowances towards premiums, changes to unused vacation time, drug testing, and other topics related to workers. 

The disposal of surplus equipment for the Public Works Department was approved for the department to get rid of older equipment by selling it via sealed bid after advertising and using the scrap value as the minimum sale price. Proceeds for the disposal will go to the city fund. Among the older equipment was 2001 single axel dump trucks, a 1999 flatbed at one ton, and a 2001 Dodge Ram at one quarter ton.  

An ordinance was approved to the amendment to the Central Area Tax Increment Redevelopment Plan and Central Area Redevelopment Project. Approval means that the Redevelopment Project Area is extended to 47 years. 

Theo Edwards can be reached  at heedwards@eiu.edu.