Debi Smith will demonstrate her style of decorating for the Christmas season at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Eureka Public Library, 202 S. Main St. Come and get inspired with ideas on decorating your home using inexpensive items, traditional and non-traditional colors, everyday items, and collectibles. To register, contact the library by Friday, Dec. 4 at (309) 467-2922.

Woodford County

Zoning codes changes aimed to ease process

The County Board on Nov. 17 adopted changes to the county’s zoning code  that officials say should clarify the special use ordinance and make zoning processes easier. The  amendments related to three different ordinances in the code submitted by the zoning and planning (CP &Z) committee and approved by the county’s zoning board of appeals (ZBA).  The changes amend the zoning code to allow for transfers of special use permits. Anyone who now wants to transfer a special use permit can apply to the county at no cost to the applicant.  There will be no fee except for  publication costs. The application of the new owner will then be reviewed to ensure the new owner complies with the terms of the agreement.

Eureka

Police officers honored for their service

Two Eureka police officers recently received commendation letters for exemplary service. Andrew Burgess was recognized for use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillator during an emergency call.  Nathan Stienwedel was honored for his work on a drug arrest and seizure of more than  $12,300 in cash.

District 140 to hold truth in taxation hearing

The District 140 School Board will be holding a tax public hearing on Monday. Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. in the high school library. The hearing is needed because the district is seeking a 2015 property tax levy — collected in 2016 —that is is more than  5 percent higher than last year’s request as required by law. The board Nov. 9 approved tentative levy of $10,.460,878.12,  $1,630,417.05 more than, last year’s property tax levy the district received. The actual tax rate is determined by the Woodford County Clerk in the spring when all paperwork is finalized.

Region

LaHood talks energy production at East Peoria plant

Republican Congressman Darin LaHood is voicing his support for a House bill that would provide a 30 percent tax credit to companies that use heat and power technologies to capture and reuse heat normally wasted during the generation of electricity. LaHood said House Bill 2657, known as the Power Act, would be a win for the environment as well as for companies like Enercon that produce and deliver generating equipment globally as well as Caterpillar Inc., whose generators are partnered with Enercon equipment. The freshman congressman said the bill has bipartisan support and will create jobs. LaHood made his comments while touring Enercon Engineering in  East Peoria on Nov. 20.

LWV to discuss money in politics

A panel of experts will discuss the role of money in political campaigns at the League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria meeting, from 6 to 7 p.m.  on Thursday, Dec. 3, at the Advanced Medical Transport (AMT) auditorium, 1718 N. Sterling Ave., Peoria.

The panel will consist of Anna Valencia, Frank Mackaman,  and Brad McMillan.Valencia is the founder and Principal of AVK Advisors, LLC, a consulting firm that focuses on political strategy, relationship management and government relations.  She recently served as a senior advisor for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s 2015 mayoral election, and was the manager for U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s re-election campaign in 2014. Mackaman is on the staff of the Dirksen Congressional Center in Pekin, is a member of the Board of Trustees of Illinois Central College, and is an executive committee member and immediate past president of the Association of Centers for the Study of Congress. McMillan is the director of the Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service at Bradley University, and served as chief of staff for former Congressman Ray LaHood, who served as U.S. Transportation Secretary in the Obama administration’s first term. The panel will discuss democratic values with respect to campaign financing, First Amendment considerations, and how campaign financing can be regulated.  The public is invited to this free event.  For further information, contact Cheryl Budzinski at (309) 253-9594.     

Interchange at I-74/155 reopened after months of construction

The Illinois Department of Transportation reopened ramps from northbound I-155 onto westbound I-74 and from westbound I-74 onto southbound I-155 on Nov. 21 The interchange had been closed for several months as part of a multipart project. Although construction will come to a close for the season very soon, but the work zone speed limits will be in effect throughout the winter. Crews will resume work in the spring when they will shift to the Morton Avenue interchange and the nearby stretch of eastbound I-74. The entire project, to update and improve access between I-74 and I-155, began in the spring of 2013 and is expected to be finished sometime next year.

–Woodford County Area News Briefs–