January 22, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Cummings hopes to continue work as trustee

Village Trustee Terri Cummings has big goals for the village.


Short term, Cummings hopes to contribute to the betterment of the community. She also hopes to support the local and small businesses who have a positive impact on the Village by increasing local jobs, increasing our tax base and helping give our community identity.


Long term, her goals include projects she describes as challenging but rewarding.


“I plan to support the Trustees, Mayor and Village employees as we proceed with the work for the sewer upgrade/expansion project,” she said. “The Board just recently approved moving forward to hire a Village Administrator. The Board felt it is important as our Village continues to grow and build a community we are proud to call home that we look at finding a professional who can lend their knowledge and experience in the areas of financial management, administration, and personnel practices to partner with us.”


Cummings said a village administrator handles the day to day management, prepares budgets, and manages human resources.


Cummings was appointed in May to fill a trustee vacancy left by Bob Rigdon and is running at the Republican Caucus tonight for re-election.


She first learned about politics as a third-grader living in Massachusetts.


“On our bus rides home we would sit on the right side or the left side of the bus, according to your candidate of choice, and would cheer and chant all the way home,” she said.


That early exposure to politics set the path for Cummings to agree to serve as a village trustee- a job she takes very seriously.


“I have spent the past few months working hard to learn the complexities of our local government issues that make our community a great place to live, work and visit,” she said. “I look forward to the opportunity to continue as a contributing member of the Mayor’s team.”


Cummings said she is thankful for everyone who has served their community before her and for the residents who are currently serving the village.


“I can honestly say that our current board and employees deeply care about the village,” she said. “They work tirelessly to do their best and do what’s right for our community.”

Photo by Bryce Herrin

Banner
Related Posts

Kids Say

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

Every week we ask five students from a local school to answer a question on a worksheet. This week the...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, June 13, 2023

June 13, 2023

June 13, 2023

No one is here in the audience. Are you all watching on Youtube? Anyway… Jim Wagner isn’t here, neither is...

Village votes no on TIF

February 7, 2019

February 7, 2019

After two years, the answer is no. The village of St. Joseph has voted not to proceed with a residential...

Maxey named to SJO Board of Education

June 23, 2020

June 23, 2020

The St. Joseph-Ogden School Board has a new member. The Board of Educated voted to fill a vacant position with...

‘There was a spunk and tenacity to her that would never quit, concede or fail’

February 2, 2023

February 2, 2023

Tiffany Kelley was many things. A loving mother. A great friend. An inspiration and a fighter. The St. Joseph resident...

Get to know Dan Thompson

March 21, 2025

March 21, 2025

Dan Thompson is running for St. Joseph Grade School Board. What motivated you to run for school board? I was...

Kids say… St. Joseph Second Grade

March 14, 2019

March 14, 2019

Every week we ask five students from a local school to answer a question on a worksheet. This week the...

Village accepting bids for Boy Scout building

August 5, 2022

August 5, 2022

A piece of St. Joseph history will be sold. The village board is moving forward with selling the “Boy Scout...

Village purchases 25 acres of land near sewer plant

September 12, 2023

September 12, 2023

$750,000. 25 acres. In July the Village of St. Joseph entered into a purchase agreement with the Pritchard family of...

Always Looking to Give Back: Short honored for volunteerism

June 7, 2022

June 7, 2022

Tim Short wants to inspire the younger generations. Short, who was honored with the SJO Friend of Education Award this...

5 things you don’t know about me….Payslie Hogan

August 7, 2019

August 7, 2019

Payslie is in the running for the title of Little Princess! She is six years old. We asked hrt to...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, March 14, 2023

March 14, 2023

March 14, 2023

This should be a short meeting. #Yesijustjinxedit On the agenda tonight: the never ending discussion about the public works storage...

Sign ‘em up: Wagners to change locations in downtown St. Joseph

October 4, 2019

October 4, 2019

Jim and Jen Wagner want to invest in St. Joseph because the community has invested in them. “Community support is...

State moves towards bridge phase

March 23, 2021

March 23, 2021

By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News Illinoisjnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – With 64 percent of the state’s seniors having received at least one dose...

10 things you don’t know about me… Kathy McCormick

May 13, 2021

May 13, 2021

What is your favorite childhood memory? Playing outside with the neighborhood kids – every summer day until dark. What was...

Comments
Leave a Reply