[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6183541,"mediaKeyId","5095340-8ef8c12fb10d7738e8d93382f88cf661","parentId",5095340,"title","Officials briefed on downtown plaza fundraising; no county commitment made","audioSeconds",119,"startMs",1899000,"endMs",2018000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5095340-8ef8c12fb10d7738e8d93382f88cf661&start=1899&end=2018","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5095340-8ef8c12fb10d7738e8d93382f88cf661/thumbnail_1899000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6183541/Union-County/Illinois/Officials-briefed-on-downtown-plaza-fundraising-no-county-commitment-made","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183541-2b72d1a4875111e58243fefd642fec26/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448684&Signature=YpLzfhK17BYk6xBmukaL~-L0kxLZvt-uAf5q8WNaMg1SNny1OQIbjw-LRhQH2TNVP4fLRKzyx4roqKzV~TXnjrhuV6-1hiN0rbSbRchRlDp7J7YCtOqZxEz-z81ClXR~1Q3OdypxDjKdIhY8Rt7dnDTrh0a3Ji0Gaohz3zWilz6T3KCgEqzyIQNyBGsE~pPsH~rLzWdPkGaOMX~gHAH1p1JvlQe-w-ahWvX3H1j9q5G7nKa55HyEvY3-D-hBXw973HKCLRLVHbOztGEBGaV-O-NRBFnxwUfxgsk~Ck~V7uieZ0T0yERJeJVgNMR8bZKPqlrNxs0seRUrzWctvMlmlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Union County, IL","date","2025-06-28T02:13:00Z","article","County officials and a presenter told the board about a proposed Dayton Street Plaza project in Downtown Anna, intended as a public plaza for concerts, markets and festivals, and sought community donations and sponsorships to support construction and maintenance.

The presenter said the Shawnee Hills Arts Council is soliciting donations at sponsorship levels that begin at $100 and rise to higher tiers, including a $150,000 plaza maintenance sponsor level, a $75,000 sponsor level and a $50,000 sponsor level. The presenter said the council applied for a matching grant for the project but did not provide the grant's source, amount, or match percentage during the presentation.

One commissioner said the request is \"a pretty big ask\" and asked for more information before any county participation. The presenter said one sponsorship pledge of $100,000 had been received. No county funding decision or motion to contribute was made at the July 1 meeting; the item was provided for the board's awareness and further consideration if placed on a future agenda.

The board's discussion was informational; staff and commissioners asked for more details if the item is to be considered formally.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Union County Board Meeting 06.27.2025","oneSentenceSummary","Board members heard about the Dayton Street Plaza project in Downtown Anna and its fundraising sponsorship tiers; the presenter said the group applied for a matching grant and asked for county consideration in the future, but commissioners did not vote and asked for more information.","taxTitle","Union County, Illinois","taxId",64206,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6183546,"County board approves sheriff salary, reappointments, health board appointments and a pool permit",0,1821000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5095340-8ef8c12fb10d7738e8d93382f88cf661&start=1821&end=1821","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5095340-8ef8c12fb10d7738e8d93382f88cf661/thumbnail_1821000.jpg","/articles/6183546/Union-County/Illinois/County-board-approves-sheriff-salary-reappointments-health-board-appointments-and-a-pool-permit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183546-2840d98508c59a4e4853cb31eb816332/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448684&Signature=Do1elMWXFFcPrQZKeHqMMl0dvWSGlH9V2W99L6LU6WBwH6YKQ6YKS9Dnm23cG~GnfEapeQAL-cvc98vyy86WdnOJUUWN~4sTqLj4kRnv0zoXsyy9PyO9Xt3Yekgya6qArwbRSN1mK8mlQtaB-qC9uzKHOZyqS6T~OTgBu3Dy8GwiAM4XgU847AXlEyezmkBWijJ8ViTtXTH5bdMl6Nk0gw7HjhKY3tAlJ-YeRuDWMSMa2wQ9mlEp8SRsnKZgBJ-pyJdsLBALfygAzQhBDaHAoH46sxBnAJQsp9XPGe~YobsykdZ2IyJiMRtygWRF1wmsIfLU4NH1NMu6WnXUYg5WjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Union County Board approved multiple routine resolutions and permits during its July 1 meeting.

The board adopted a resolution setting the sheriff's salary as required by the state of Illinois; the public defender's salary was addressed under the same statutory framework. Board members said compliance with the state schedule is necessary to receive partial reimbursement for those salaries.

The board reappointed Jim Clark to a four‑year term as trustee of the Shawnee Mass Transit District, with the term described in the resolution as expiring June 30, 2026. The board also approved two appointments to the county health board: Debbie McKibben and Marsha Griffin, each for terms beginning July 1, 2025, and expiring June 30, 2028.

On a separate item the board approved a building permit for a replacement in‑ground pool at 295 Williams Ridge (parcel number 042202441A1). Staff said the project replaces an existing pool, is not a subdivision, and is not in a floodplain.

All votes on the items were recorded as affirmative by the commissioners present at the meeting; no dissenting votes were recorded. The approvals were presented as routine business and require no additional county action beyond recordkeeping and compliance with state rules where applicable.","Union County commissioners unanimously approved several routine items including state‑mandated sheriff salary adjustments, the reappointment of a transit trustee, appointments to the health board, and a building permit for a replacement in‑ground pool.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6183551,"Union County Board opposes state bill on homeschooling, adopts resolution",250,1385000,1635000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5095340-8ef8c12fb10d7738e8d93382f88cf661&start=1385&end=1635","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5095340-8ef8c12fb10d7738e8d93382f88cf661/thumbnail_1385000.jpg","/articles/6183551/Union-County/Illinois/Union-County-Board-opposes-state-bill-on-homeschooling-adopts-resolution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183551-4928765722e0daa1aa797aae3a1a83e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448684&Signature=gHunysnAtYP6LOzx2Y2TAJ9oXHGj3NsDnSqGvV0kvDBNoIFJ2nmIqHFitn-VxJ5c56htLId2iNEwFKQiKHuQ6iTlDIY8FXy3dUYHBy1p0VIvdtLjnpmXwNJ5HIOXgwMOCbmHs-04h7fkXTPoCjXjeUzQi90YYNHq~pZJjda1XhZTYY8UuGsduXAV-c6o8FX7PSTZPjjblHyuIjdeYZ3D0LdQEHQ4KXn72yBlO5mIw0SITBKZc~RcAmT6XU386fq~ygEI2QBcuCuNVFjTshARMnPug0ZaPYdNuKpuNgXZVdXYEAeQthQR6PUvdx3OJm5AKtbySAqqRS0J1taqrg-rxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Union County Board voted to adopt a resolution opposing House Bill 28 27, which the board described as creating a new homeschool act and expanding state jurisdiction over private and home schooling.

A county official read the proposed resolution into the record and said the board \"firmly opposes any expansion of state authority that undermines the ability of parents\" to tailor education to individual family values. The resolution as adopted states the board \"opposes HB 28 27 and any similar legislation that would infringe on the rights of parents and guardians to direct the education of their children.\" It also called on the state to address cases of abuse or neglect through existing truancy and child‑welfare frameworks rather than through broad new state controls.

Board members removed language from an earlier draft that would have declared the county a \"sanctuary county\" for homeschoolers, saying that would conflict with state law. The board unanimously approved the resolution during the meeting.

The resolution is a formal statement of the board's position; it does not prevent state action if the legislature passes the bill.","The Union County Board adopted a resolution opposing House Bill 28 27, saying the county affirms parental authority over education and opposes expanded state jurisdiction over homeschooling and private education. The board removed language that would have labeled the county a sanctuary from state law.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6183555,"Resident questions sharp property tax increases; county cites reassessment and a prior error",552,503000,1055000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5095340-8ef8c12fb10d7738e8d93382f88cf661&start=503&end=1055","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5095340-8ef8c12fb10d7738e8d93382f88cf661/thumbnail_503000.jpg","/articles/6183555/Union-County/Illinois/Resident-questions-sharp-property-tax-increases-county-cites-reassessment-and-a-prior-error","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183555-4469697d5f14ca493116fb6e69bb1099/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448685&Signature=LQrwAixX8m6CMIYi40UjnwMNKsIbXVM~nZNLw9mVzgMfTt4xYgGwDMCHzGSLflOMHZi2o4S7EVMHep-LyinSFpuqTeVKFZKMCsWHn6I6LCyhyKHPQCLTZMGuIsTn6mqTlenAmiKdL-viIKs5K~eiTHs9kKzEZFi1RFZ5WNNlDuwKuTaR4waKPiv882~zVNdsnY6vFiw1DapRtDKdfXHT8g9aY08ZAslW6WVn~DjFD6ipoOubM-BWB7Alrwunf5Jgji6NyR0M0A2H-azRWJucmq6~2q2FeszUQRo057UTzrdhMLHiEAXNuLRMg9a1iz5viLBodkWVU8ZuZALo2212IQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Don Law told the Union County Board that his property tax bills increased \"between 9.98% and 11.89%\" across six parcels and asked for an explanation for the rise.

A county official responded that the state mandated a reassessment after property values rose and that the county used the required multiplier, producing an average assessed‑value increase of roughly 8%. The official said the largest single factor in the bill increase this year was a correction tied to the Shawnee College line, described at the meeting as a one‑time accounting error that must be made up this year because it was missed by the college's comptroller last year.

The official said the county's portion of the tax increase is \"very minute\" compared with other taxing districts and that the Shawnee College adjustment should drop out next year. Law and other commenters suggested the county include explanatory information with tax bills so taxpayers understand reasons for sudden increases.

No formal action was taken at the meeting; the exchange occurred during the public‑comment period.","A resident asked why property tax bills rose by about 10% for his parcels. County officials said a state‑mandated reassessment and a one‑time correction related to \"Shawnee College\" explain most of the increase and that the county's share is small.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6183560,"Volunteer group urges county help for stray cats; animal control says shelter is full",1081,138000,1219000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5095340-8ef8c12fb10d7738e8d93382f88cf661&start=138&end=1219","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5095340-8ef8c12fb10d7738e8d93382f88cf661/thumbnail_138000.jpg","/articles/6183560/Union-County/Illinois/Volunteer-group-urges-county-help-for-stray-cats-animal-control-says-shelter-is-full","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183560-0f3f8cc1bfaba1f11c296aba17b83df7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448685&Signature=PgRxYWj6WCgCVVRLQQp6I3wBBr-zP9CV6kikPy5SD55SEUygRRAPXoYUDChktL3poPqklbJr5D1Eeg0WWIPCjnIPAQ6eMZICl884R7WnAYptGMiDi57RhZ6CSSyA30QEy~zmyFEHGr9Gl9jH1zDK5xX9AGSPeZCt7r8-Rv0ciuC-pcWFPYFT98eOYi3a2jygJdwctDX99mn6zYIOckMiRVHaTPTAITujUBLWZx-1AcwGscK8CcUTK4PhrxoQW-tLSIUZq9TJuS93tBzQmuNi3G6uo9ohrEwOePc0PSVYGMBf47LMWt-OHHXA3hV7Xv3akGS~AC9V-YD9RCogfiX~ig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jillian Miller, a member of the Cotton's Bay and New York Coalition, asked the Union County Board on July 1 for county help funding spay/neuter and vaccination services for street cats and for support trapping cat colonies across the county.

Miller told the board her volunteer group has operated local trap‑neuter‑return efforts for \"about 4 or 5 years\" and that fundraising alone is \"unsustainable without government funding.\" She said veterinarians charge the group discounted fees—\"we pay $100 to spay a female cat, $57.50 to neuter a male cat\"—but that the cost and ongoing dumping of cats on county property have overwhelmed the coalition.

A county official responding during the public‑comment period said animal control does not have capacity to intake cats and that accepting them would require building another facility the size of the county's existing animal shelter. The official said, \"at this point, we're just not in a position to do that,\" and that the county will continue to look at options but had no budgeted funds at this time.

During discussion a commenter suggested petitioning state legislators to consider a program allowing new veterinarians to perform low‑cost spay/neuter work in exchange for relief on education costs; the commenter described it as a possible way to expand low‑cost services but did not identify a proposed bill or authority.

The board did not take any formal votes or make binding budget commitments on the issue at the meeting. Commissioners and staff indicated they would continue to review the request and the animal control division later reported the shelter remains full of dogs and cannot accept additional animals until capacity changes.

The discussion combined public comment from a local volunteer group with staff responses; no ordinance, budget amendment, or formal referral was made at the July 1 meeting.","A volunteer coalition asked Union County commissioners for funding and operational support to address stray cat colonies. County officials said the animal control shelter is at capacity and no changes will be made immediately; commissioners offered to consider funding but took no formal action.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Officials briefed on downtown plaza fundraising; no county commitment made

County board approves sheriff salary, reappointments, health board appointments and a pool permit

Union County Board opposes state bill on homeschooling, adopts resolution

Resident questions sharp property tax increases; county cites reassessment and a prior error

Volunteer group urges county help for stray cats; animal control says shelter is full