September 8, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Sept. 9, 2025

I am here.
So much interesting stuff is on the agenda for tonight.

Jack Flash is here asking for the village to allow video gambling. They would need a pour license.

John Wortman from Jack Flash is here.
“I want to make it clear that we have these in a lot of communities.”

They are making the exact same argument they did the last time they requested this. To recap:

https://www.stjosephrecord.com/2021/01/13/jack-flash-asks-village-to-create-new-liquor-license-so-they-can-have-video-gambling/

To recap: It’s not unusual, they have classy video gaming set ups in other stores, they keep their store clean and well serviced.

“I have been a big tax generator for your community for a long time.” Saying he collects $70,000 a year for the community. He is certain that he is the number one sales tax generator for the community.

Art asking if they have had any issues with anyone taking an open container out of the store and getting in their car. Wortman says no. Wortman saying they aren’t actually pouring drinks. They have a fridge with cans of beer, ect.

Basically, the state requires them to have a pour license to allow video gaming.

Marc Miller talking about the arguments against it. One of the arguments is that it takes away from restaurants who already have video gaming.

Terri asking if they had talked to El Toro, Roch’s, ect. before discussing this.

Walsh saying he would vote yes because it won’t take away from the restaurants.

Straw poll says the trustees are leaning yes. They would have to vote on it at an upcoming meeting.

I am just going to say I have never seen a town where it goes up, it’s always just split because there’s only so many people who gamble. But maybe they are going to prove me wrong.

Discussing parks funding. Page wants a .5 percent sales tax that will be dedicated to the parks. Because there is no set funding mechanism for the parks meaning the parks are funded from the general fund which funds all sorts of things.

Terri saying she supports it. “It won’t take care of everything but we have to start somewhere.”

Art saying the parks are a financial drain. Referencing roofs on the concession stand, ball field upgrades.

The board is in agreement that something needs to be done. Art saying that he isn’t for raising taxes but something has to be done because people are “busting” their chops about stuff that needs done and there is no money to do all of this.

They are approving the sales tax increase. It’s a .5 percent increase that will go to parks. “Painful but necessary.” Page said.

Talking sidewalks now. they can show which sidewalks are bad. Which are good, ect.

Art keeps talking about the pickleball court. He’s making a funny.

Meeting adjourned.




Banner
Related Posts

Live at St. Joseph-Ogden School Board, April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

Mitch, Jim and Alicia just took the oath of office. Jim Rein was nominated for president again. (He won.)Vice president...

Village looking at options to sell wastewater system

December 2, 2025

December 2, 2025

 The Village of St. Joseph is exploring options to sell its wastewater system.  At a special meeting on Nov. 18,...

Saturday’s SJO sports roundup: Franzen fares well in Peoria

September 16, 2024

September 16, 2024

Detweiller Park in Peoria is where every high school cross-country runner in Illinois wants to endits season at. It’s the...

Q and A with SJO Hall of Fame inductee Bianca Truitt Green

October 3, 2025

October 3, 2025

1. How does it feel to be inducted into the hall of fame? I am ecstatic to be recognized in...

Vendor profile: The Ribcage

August 8, 2024

August 8, 2024

1. Tell me about your business. Locally owned and operated BBQ 2. What has been the most challenging part about...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Sept. 10, 2024

September 10, 2024

September 10, 2024

They are discussing personnel policy updates. They are formalizing the on call public works format. SOLAR!!!! For the 400th time....

Splash pad committee moving forward

April 4, 2022

April 4, 2022

The St. Joseph Community Survey found that the community wants a splash pad. 47 percent of respondents thought the splash...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Feb. 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

I am making my triumphant return after missing two meetings due to illnesses. The flu is no joke this year...

Weekend Family Fun Guide

July 26, 2019

July 26, 2019

This post is sponsored by Island Travel Group and Events On Saturday, St. Joseph plays host to hundreds of runners...

Get to know our Little Prince and Princess Candidates : Will Peters

August 10, 2024

August 10, 2024

What is your favorite part of summer?Staying at my grandparents house and having more time with mom and dad. What...

Get to know Judy Bowlby

March 11, 2026

March 11, 2026

Bowlby, a former Cerro Gordo resident, is running in the 15th Congressional District Primary What inspired you to enter the...

A letter to the residents of St. Joseph from Jim Page

April 9, 2025

April 9, 2025

There has been a lot of discussion over kitchen tables and online about the Tax Increment Financing District (TIF). A...

Village moves forward with TIF process

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

The Village of St. Joseph is moving forward with the process to form a TIF District. Tonight at 7 p.m.,...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, August 27, 2024

August 27, 2024

August 27, 2024

I am making my triumphant return to the live blog. On tap tonight, approving the women’s club Christmas Parade, maybe...

10 things you don’t know about me… DEE EVANS

September 23, 2022

September 23, 2022

DEE EVANS will be inducted into the SJO Hall of Fame tonight. Dee Evans is a 1960 graduate of St....

Comments
Leave a Reply