The following is part Twenty-Eight of a multi-part article about the timeline of Chillicothe, IL.  This article will illustrate the key dates along with the key individuals who helped to shape our city’s great history. 

2006 – The 2006 IVC High School baseball team, coached by Jerry Rashid, captured the IHSA Class A state championship with a stellar 40-2 season record, marking the program’s first state title. Led by standout senior pitcher Zach McAllister, who finished with a 12-1 record, 1.04 ERA, and .486 batting average, the Grey Ghosts defeated Trenton (Wesclin) 8-3 in the final game. Players for IVC: Tim Ladd - LF, Zach McAllister - 3B, Trevor McIntyre - DH, Josh Parr - SS, Joel Perez - 2B, Andy Semtner - C, Chris Shindley - P, Adam Sperry - CF, Trevor Whalen - RF, Derek Romane - PH, Ben Gauwitz - PR, Andy Ehle - DH, Chris Razo - 3B

2006 – Zach McAllister, a right-handed pitcher and a 2006 IVC graduate, was taken in the third round and 104th overall in the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft by the New York Yankees. McAllister received a signing bonus of $368,000—equivalent to about $575,552 in today’s economy.

2007 – The Chillicothe Park District opened a modernized aquatic facility at Shore Acres Park, the same location where the original pool debuted in 1970. The new complex includes two water slides, a diving well, a zero-depth entry pool with play structures, a full-service concession stand, and offers swimming lessons and rentals.

2007 – The Chillicothe Park District acquired the 48-acre Coal Hollow property, once Camp Neighborhood House, with help from a $100,000 donation by local philanthropist Joe Boyer. Formerly a coal mining site and camp, it was transformed into a public park with native plants, trails, and outdoor education spaces.

2008 – The City Council approves River Sound, LLC and Manager James S. Paul to develop the new plat of land and subdivision known as River Sound Section Two.  The plat of land is located west and south of River Sound Section One.  The thirty-three-lot subdivision will feature a new street, Misty Breeze.

2008 – Jeff Bybee finished his high school wrestling career as IVC’s winningest wrestler, with an outstanding record of 136 wins and only 8 losses. A two-time state champion, Bybee is also IVC’s only multiple-state champion in wrestling. His career included an undefeated 41-0 season in 2005, followed by strong performances of 39-5 in 2006, 27-2 in 2007, and 29-1 in 2008.

2008 – The Chillicothe Park District opened Walnut Dog Park at 14401 N River Beach Drive. This leash-free facility offers separate fenced areas for small and large dogs, waste stations, and seating for owners.

2008 – The 2008 IVC High School Baseball team achieved an impressive 33-7 record, advancing to the IHSA Class 2A state championship game. They defeated Pinckneyville 3-2 in a close semifinal match, securing their spot in the final. Facing Stanford (Olympia) in the championship, IVC ultimately fell 6-1, finishing as the state runner-up.

2009 – The 2009 mayoral race in Chillicothe, Illinois, Troy Childers reclaimed the position of mayor, defeating incumbent Gary Fyke. Childers received 793 votes, while Fyke garnered 448 votes. This victory marked Childers’ return to the mayor’s office, a role he had previously held from 1997 to 2001.

2009 – Terrell Williams from Chillicothe Illinois Valley Central (IVC) High School won the IHSA Class A state championship in the triple jump in 2009. His winning jump was 45 feet 6 3/4 inches, securing first place. He became IVC’s track and field 6th individual state champion in the school’s history.

2009 – The Sycamore Group led by developers Jeff Kolbus, Terry Ruhland, and Rick Hinck entered into an agreement with the City of Chillicothe to develop Sycamore Trail Subdivision, Section Two.  The ten-lot subdivision is located west of IVC High School and north of Cloverdale Subdivision Section three.   Streets located within the subdivision include Prairie Springs Drive and Prairie Court.

2009 – The Chillicothe Optimist Club, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting youth programs, purchased the historic Town Theatre, for $200,000. This acquisition aimed to preserve the historic theater and utilize its proceeds to benefit local youth organizations.

2010 – The Chillicothe Park District transformed the former North School baseball fields into the Chillicothe Skate Park, located at 434 W. Moffitt Street. This facility features various equipment, including a 5-foot Super Mission, a 2.5-foot half pyramid with rail and bench, an 18-foot-wide 5-foot quarter pipe, grind rails, a sloped manual pad, and a grind box.

2011 – The City Council approves River Sound, LLC and Manager James S. Paul to develop the new plat of land and subdivision known as River Sound Section Three.  The plat of land is located west of River Sound Section Two and south of River Sound Section One.  The sixteen-lot subdivision will feature a new street, River Birch Drive.

2012 – The Chillicothe Park District renovated the 3.5-acre Santa Fe Park in one of the city’s historic neighborhoods, adding amenities such as a 1/4-mile walking path, splash pad, pavilion, sledding hill, restroom facility, and sandlot baseball diamond. 

2013 – Douglas P. Crew was elected as Chillicothe’s 34th mayor in the 2013 mayoral race, defeating both former Mayor Donald White and challenger Sandi Levell. Crew received 542 votes, while White received 310, and Levell garnered 193. This victory marked a change in leadership as Crew succeeded Troy Childers, who had served as mayor since 2009.

2013 – The City Council approves Chillicothe Properties, LLC and Manager James S. Paul to develop the new plat of land and subdivision known as River Sound Section Four.  The plat is located west of River Sound Section One.  The thirteen-lot subdivision will run east and west on Harborway Drive.

2013 – Commerce Bank closed its branch located at 1057 North Second Street in Chillicothe. Formerly the Chillicothe State Bank, which opened in 1971, this location was closed as part of a strategic realignment by Commerce Bank to optimize operations and better serve its customers.