The City of Chillicothe hopes you had wonderful holidays and are off to a great start for the new year. The City ended 2023 with a successful gift giving season. The Countdown to Christmas retail event inspired our community to get out of their homes and into our local businesses. The tree lighting in City Park was well received. As for the groups giving back to the community, the Community Needs Agency received many donations through the bucket brigade, and through this community’s generosity, the Chillicothe Police Department provided another successful Christmas for the children of IVC 321 School District. Thank you to all who helped make this holiday season a success! We are looking forward to the upcoming year.

At the December 11th City Council Meeting the Council approved:

• A resolution for $80,000 of 2024 MFT General Maintenance for the purpose of maintaining stress and highways from January 1, 2024–December 31, 2024
• Appropriation Line Item Transfer of $50,000 from the water department “Capital outlay Equipment” line item to the Water Department line item “utilities”
• An expenditure of $3,339.25 to PAFCO for the Purchase of Strobe Lights for the Public Works Vehicle #28
• Agreement between City of Chillicothe and  Empirical Training Solutions for a CDL Training program at a cost of $2,900.
• Part Time Employees paid leave Policy as presented
• Ordinance regarding Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act
• Authorize the Police Commission to Start Process to Hire Police Officer
• City engineer to begin bidding process and EPA permits necessary for the Pine Street TIF project Watermain
• Ordinance regarding disposal of personal property, 2016 Impala, owned by the City of Chillicothe 
• Ordinance regarding Ground Mounted Solar Energy Systems in All Zoning Districts

City Council Meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 7pm at City Hall. The Public is welcome to attend. January Council Meeting scheduled for January 8, 2024 and January 22nd.

January and February are ideal times to watch the eagles along the river. The observation tower at Eagle Landing and the eagle viewing telescope at Shore Acres Park provide great riverfront views. On February 10th the Chillicothe Rotary, Lions, and Optimist club will be holding the Eagle Watch Pancake and Sausage Breakfast at Shore Acres Clubhouse from 7am to 10:30am. 2nd Saturday market will be taking place in the retail locations along 4th, 2nd and Santa Fe Streets and the Chamber of Commerce is promoting the Chillicothe Chocolate Tour on 2nd Street. The limited tickets for the Chocolate Tour sell out quickly for this fun event. Whatever you choose to do, be warm and stay safe.

January Events

09 Chillicothe 2nd Saturday

13 Parent’s Night Out, Pearce Community Center, 5–8pm

14 LIVE MUSIC – Sunday Funday – Old Soles at American Legion, 2–4pm

20 Live Music – Free Concert at the Library, Chillicothe Public Library, 2pm

21 Public Breakfast –Peoria Casting Club, 7–11am

31 Last day for Countdown to Christmas Holiday dollars to be spent with participating businesses

February

03 Live Music – Free Concert at the Library, Chillicothe Public Library, 2pm

09 Chili Cook Off – Arc at Chillicothe, 1028 Hillcrest Drive, 11am–12:30pm

10 Bald Eagle Days – Eagle Watch Breakfast – Shore Acres Clubhouse, 7:30am–10:30am

10 Chillicothe 2nd Saturday & Chamber Chillicothe Chocolate Tour 10–3pm

10 IVC Travel Softball Trivia Night – St. Edwards Hall, 7pm-10pm

11 Henry Decoy Show – Three Sisters Park

Come on out and see what’s happening in Chillicothe!

Your hometown,
The City of Chillicothe
Where the Rails Cross the River