February 13, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Cooper looks to make a difference in Ogden

Kelly Cooper wants to make a difference in Ogden. 

That is why she ran for village board in 2017 and why she is running for re-election on April 6. 

“I wanted to make a difference in our town,” she said. “I wanted to bring some life and excitement back.” 

Cooper was did bring excitement back into town as she spearheaded the Ogden festival, an event that included a car show, flea market, helicopter rides and softball tournaments. 

“The Ogden Street Fest would be one of things that I am most proud of. It was one of the promises that I made when I was running for election in 2017,” she said.  “We were able to have it successfully in 2018 and even more so in 2019. Then everything changed in 2020 due to COVID causing it to be cancelled. I honestly feel that we would have had and even bigger turn out in 2020 if it could have continued.”

Planning the festival was just one way Cooper was able to give back to the town she loves as a trustee. Her goal when she ran in 2017 was to look out for her fellow resident’s best interests and help them in anyway possible. 

That continues to be her goal. 

“The most rewarding part of being a trustee is knowing that you have the ability to help the towns people by looking out for their best interests,” she said. 

Cooper, who is married and works full time for the University of Illinois, has two large breeds dogs. Bandit is a three year old Bloodhound and Smokey is a two and a half year old English Mastiff. Her son, Devin, lives in Gifford and is an electrician. She enjoys gardening, baking, making her own soap and crafting. 

She also deeply loves her town. 

“I am a very friendly outgoing person who loves living in a small village such as Ogden” Cooper said.  “I am also a patriotic person who respects and believes in the freedom and values of our country. I hold true to the promises that I make and will always be truthful.”

Banner
Related Posts

Village expected to accept bid for Boy Scout Building

September 13, 2022

September 13, 2022

The village is expected to accept a bid for the former Boy Scout Building tonight. Roche and Heather Cain submitted...

Jack Flash asks village to create new liquor license so they can have video gambling

January 13, 2021

January 13, 2021

The Village of St. Joseph is revisiting creating a pour liquor license. On Tuesday, representatives from Jack Flash attended the...

Village asking for feedback on liquor license

January 25, 2021

January 25, 2021

The Village of St. Joseph is asking residents for feedback regarding a proposed new liquor license. During a Jan. 18...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Jan. 12, 2021

January 12, 2021

January 12, 2021

I will live blog tonight. Pavlov media will give a presentation. Susan Monte from Regional Planning will be there. We...

Girl Scouts plan for Community Christmas Tree

April 24, 2024

April 24, 2024

Girl Scout Troop 2191 wants to make Christmas a little more merry in St. Joseph.  The troop presented the village...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, May 24

May 24, 2022

May 24, 2022

It’s a full, full house. I am standing by the door typing so no one throw open the door. There...

What to know about the proposed sales-tax increase

October 10, 2024

October 10, 2024

Champaign County elected officials are asking voters to approve a sales-tax increase. Officials estimate the sales-tax increase would generate $7...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board Jan. 26, 2021

January 26, 2021

January 26, 2021

We are zooming here tonight. In case you didn’t hear Jack Flash has pulled their request for a pour license...

SJO School Board Candidate Kevin Taylor Q and A

March 30, 2019

March 30, 2019

There are five candidates running for four open seats on the SJO School Board. Why are you running for school...

5 Questions with Republican caucus candidate Matt Walsh

December 2, 2024

December 2, 2024

1. What made you want to run? I’m a lifelong resident of Saint Joseph and at the end of the...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Oct. 8, 2024

October 8, 2024

October 8, 2024

I am a tad behind but Jayne Deluce is here from Experience CU to ask for money. She’s talking about...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, July 11, 2023

July 11, 2023

July 11, 2023

Jim Wagner is not here. Jeff Van Buskirk’s seat isn’t filled yet. They approved the minutes, bills, treasuer’s report. An...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, April 23, 2024

April 23, 2024

April 23, 2024

Presentation on a potential community building.Todd Hitt and Jim Page In 2018-19 Tami and Jim Page put together a group...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Dec. 17, 2024.

December 17, 2024

December 17, 2024

 I am here so you don’t have to be.  It’s a special board meeting- meaning they combined two December meetings...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Dec. 12, 2023

December 12, 2023

December 12, 2023

I am here so you don’t have to be but there’s also a ton of people here. I am not...

Comments
Leave a Reply