St. Francisville City Council denied sidewalk grant

Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 11:50 AM

By Steve Anderson

Some disappointing news for the city of St. Francisville revealed at the June City Council meeting Wednesday.

It was reported that the city was turned down in its application to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for a transportation enhancement sidewalk grant. The over $680,000 grant would have been used to fund a sidewalk trail throughout the city, renovations to the historic 13th Street Bridge and creation of way finder markers along the sidewalks listing significant events in the city history. The application notice of rejection was received in May.

The council did approve a negotiated 18-month water service contract with the South Lawrence Water Corporation with terms of the agreement remaining the same.

Over $147,000 was earmarked by the council for the purchase of additional new boards and ties for the river bridge. These will be used for repair work on the structure in the future and will be shipped to the city so they will already have them on hand when needed.