08/24/2026
The Olney City Council will meet Monday, August 24 at 6:00 p.m. at Olney City Hall.
There are several important items on the agenda that impact our community. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend!
📅 Monday, August 24
⏰ 6:00 p.m.
📍 Olney City Hall
Or tune in from home on the City of Olney’s YouTube channel.
Come stay informed and involved in what’s happening in our community!
City Council Meeting — Monday, August 24
The Olney City Council will meet Monday, August 24 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall.
Monday’s agenda includes a number of important items, but one of the most significant is the City’s proposed application for funding through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) for construction of a sidewalk along Illinois Route 130 from its current terminus at Parker Street to Walmart.
This is an opportunity to continue building on Olney’s experience with the ITEP program. The City previously secured ITEP funding for Phase Three of the Main Street project, which will bring streetscape improvements to Main Street and Whittle Avenue. That investment will help carry the downtown project beyond the major infrastructure work currently underway and toward the eventual reimagining of the downtown streetscape.
The proposed Route 130 application is a separate project, focused on extending pedestrian infrastructure along one of our community’s busiest commercial corridors. Connecting the existing sidewalk at Parker Street to Walmart would create a much more continuous pedestrian route and improve accessibility and safety along Route 130.
Seeking ITEP funding is another example of the City working to leverage state resources to accomplish needed improvements while being responsible with local dollars. These opportunities do not happen automatically. They require planning, preparation and a willingness to compete for outside funding.
Other items on the agenda include:
• Presentation and acceptance of the 2025/2026 Fiscal Year Financial Audit and TIF Fund Audit
• A contribution request from the Richland County Development Corporation
• An ordinance concerning the display of the National Motto on marked Olney Police Department vehicles
• Proposed amendments to the Police and Sewer Department budgets
• Establishing October as White Squirrel Month and addressing the annual squirrel count
• Agreements with Richland County and Carle Health Medical Group concerning use of the City’s communications tower and building
• Discussion of the Tourism Advisory Board
The consent agenda also includes authorization for Friends of Olney to coordinate the annual Christmas Parade in cooperation with City staff, along with several local raffle licenses.
Reports will be provided by the City Manager, RCDC and Chamber of Commerce. The meeting will conclude with a closed session concerning real property and personnel matters.
There is a great deal of work happening in Olney, both visible and behind the scenes. Infrastructure, economic development, tourism, public safety and responsible financial management all play a part in building the community we want to leave for the next generation.
Monday, August 24 | 6:00 p.m. | Olney City Hall
The public is welcome to attend.
The meeting will also be streamed live on the City’s YouTube channel:
City of Olney YouTube Channel
