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Lawrenceville City Council discuss new IEPA violations

Friday, December 12, 2025 at 12:45 PM

By Steve Anderson

The recent receipt of a second notice of violations at the wastewater treatment plant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) was a dominant topic of discussion at the Lawrenceville City Council regular December meeting Thursday.

Mayor David Courtney acknowledged that the city did get the notice and indicated that they will begin enacting a compliance agreement with their engineering firm to address 15 items specified in the violation report in consultation with the IEPA.

However, many citizens attending the session were not satisfied with the situation and demanded change occur in the water and sewer department, starting with the resignation or dismissal of superintendent Aaron Tipsword. However, the mayor defended Tipsword saying he was "one man overseeing two separate departments" and told those on hand that they were adding 2 additional employees to the department to help lessen the responsibilities.

Ward 1 Alderwoman Kelly Lewis formally announced her resignation at the session, effective immediately. Lewis has moved out of her ward, making a replacement on the council necessary. No timetable was given for naming her replacement.

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