Surveillance camera image of alleged armed robbers at the Casino Queen
(Photo courtesy of Illinois State Police)

HUD returns housing authority to local control

After more than 30 years of federal receivership, the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is returning control of the East St. Louis Housing Authority (ESLHA) to local officials.

Under the terms of a transition agreement, signed Sept. 21 by HUD Secretary Ben Carson and East St. Louis Mayor Emeka Jackson-Hicks, the housing authority’s assets and programs will be overseen by a new five-member board of commissioners, appointed by the mayor.

HUD will work with the commissioners to execute a two-year enhanced oversight plan to address continuing physical and financial issues in East St. Louis’ 2,033-unit public housing system.

The agency will also designate an oversight administrator and a team of specialists to provide continuing support, manage HUD-provided technical assistance, and monitor ESLHA’s performance in addressing ongoing and long-term challenges, including:

– Rehabilitation and/or replacement of aging buildings and chronically vacant units, through development of a long-term infrastructure strategy;

– Maintaining operations within the authority’s financial means, building reserve funds and working to maintain long-term financial health;

– Compliance with audit recommendations and development of strategies to effectively administer its programs; and,

– Utilization of the authority’s federal Replacement Housing Factor grant to acquire and/or redevelopment new public housing units.

Mildred Motley will remain the housing authority’s executive director.

HUD took over the ESLHA on Oct. 28, 1985, amid reports of deteriorating physical conditions, financial mismanagement and ineffective leadership. It marked the first time the federal government had taken control of a local public housing operating and is still the longest such federal receivership to date.

“This has been an extremely long road but we now feel confident there the necessary capacity in place to turn the keys back over to our local partners,” said HUD Secretary Ben Carson.

“Today marks a significant milestone for residents and the ongoing revitalization efforts in East St. Louis,” East St. Louis Mayor Emeka Jackson-Hicks said. “Over the past year-and-a-half, HUD, the ESLHA, members of the Advisory Board and I have developed a great working relationship to transition the housing authority back to local control. I am thankful to these individuals for playing an intricate role in helping ESLHA reestablish a new governance structure for accountability and transparency. We will continue to nurture our relationship with HUD and other public and private partners as East St. Louis reaches new heights. I am very appreciative of the outstanding residents who agreed to serve as ESLHA Board members and the city council’s strong support of the new board.”

Former New Athens mayor shot in Casino Queen robbery

Former New Athens Mayor Larry Weber remained hospitalized at the Chronicle’s deadline after being shot during a Sept. 17 armed robbery at the Casino Queen.

Illinois State Police say three masked subjects, armed with rifles, entered the East St. Louis casino about 2:55 a.m.; taking a still undetermined amount of money from the cashier’s cage, firing shots near patrons, and shooting Weber, who is employed as a security sergeant and emergency medical technician at the establishment.

The casino owners and the St. Louis-based law enforcement support initiative CrimeStoppers have offered a reward of up to $26,000 for information that leads to the arrest of the still-unidentified suspects in robbery.

The casino was closed following the robbery until the morning of Sept. 18.

Casino Queen spokespersons say this was the first incident of its type in the casinos history.

Weber, who was unarmed, remains in stable condition in a St. Louis hospital; however, his injuries were described as serious with multiple surgeries required.

He is active in the New Athens community, currently serving as a city council member and volunteer firefighter.

Those with information on the armed robbery are asked to call the CrimeStoppers Tip Hotline (866) 371-TIPS (8477)]

A Go Fund Me account has been opening in the hopes of raising $100,000 to cover Weber’s medical expenses (https://www.gofundme.com/lets-support-larry).

Belleville extends sales tax

The Belleville Board of Aldermen unanimously voted Sept. 18 to make permanent a 0.25 percent sales tax implemented in 2012 to replace the city’s “wheel tax.”  The 0.25 percent sales tax had been scheduled to expire this year because aldermen added a four-year sunset clause in 2013.  

Mayor Mark Eckert called for extension of the sales tax, citing the city’s current cash crunch. The wheel tax had required Belleville residents to pay $20 annually for each vehicle they owned.

With that action, the municipal sale tax charged by the City of Belleville will remain at total of 0.75 percent. The total sales tax rate in Belleville remains at 8.1 percent; including the State of Illinois’ 6.25 percent sale tax and St. Clair County’s 1.1 percent tax.

Port gets grant for rail line

The federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) has approved a $700,000 grant to at America’s Central Port to help cover construction costs for a new rail line.

“This grant is a big deal for jobs and economic growth in Madison County and the Metro East region,” stated U.S. Rep. Mike Bost in a news release. “America’s Central Port supports over 1,000 jobs and has a massive economic impact. Our community stands to benefit as the port continues to expand through both private investment and grants like this.”

The total cost for the rail line is projected to be $1 million.

The EDA invests in planning, technical assistance, infrastructure and capacity-building to support start-up businesses and expansion to enable towns and cities across the country to build strong local economies.

Additional homebuyer grants available

Madison County Community Development is accepting additional applications for its 2017 HOMEbuyer program of assistance for first-time home purchasers. The program offers first -time home buyers five-year forgivable loans to down payment and closing costs.

Applications must be made through participating local lenders. The department reports additional funding has been made available for the program. For additional information, an application package and a list of participating lenders see www.co.madison.il.us/Community_Development/Participating%20Lenders%202017%208_2_2017.pdf.

–Metro-East Area News Briefs–