June 16, 2025 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

Live at St. Joseph Village Board August 9, 2022

August 9, 2022

August 9, 2022

I am the only one in the audience so far. Thanks to MX electric for sponsoring our live blogs. They...

Painter appointed new trustee

August 27, 2019

August 27, 2019

Max Painter has been selected to fill an open trustee position in St. Joseph. Republican caucus treasure and caucus committee...

Lewis wants to give back to hometown

April 5, 2021

April 5, 2021

Brandon Lewis has one goal as trustee—give back.  Lewis is running for Ogden Village Board on April 6.  “I want...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Dec. 13, 2022

December 13, 2022

December 13, 2022

I am late because Sawyer had a Christmas Concert. #rudolphtherednosedreindeer #sparkles Discussing donating to the proposed project from last meeting...

Live at Ogden Village Board, Oct. 6, 2022

October 6, 2022

October 6, 2022

Chickens are on the agenda. #itshappening #maybenot #ilovechickens Discussing the rail trail. Apparently, the village can’t enforce ordinances on the...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board April 12, 2022

April 12, 2022

April 12, 2022

I am here so you don’t have to be. It’s me, Debbie, Mike Sennert, Tiffany and the board. #fullhouse #notreally...

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...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board on March 9, 2021

March 9, 2021

March 9, 2021

Bills. Fun paperwork stuff. No public comment. This could be a short meeting. Luke Fisher is getting an employee appreciation...

Live at Ogden Village Board

September 5, 2019

September 5, 2019

Seven people are here for Ogden Village Board. That’s quite crowd for a night when they aren’t discussing flooding. They...

Wetlands home to 620 new trees

February 18, 2019

February 18, 2019

Earlier this winter, 620 white tubes were installed on the south side of the St. Joseph wetlands. Inside those tubes...

Get to know Steve Peters

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

Steve is running for the St. Joseph Village Board. What is the best thing about St. Joseph? I have been...

Board to decide on new liquor license classification tonight

January 28, 2020

January 28, 2020

Tonight, the St. Joseph Village Board will discuss and vote on whether to create a new liquor classification that would...

Landers to be honored by village

January 25, 2022

January 25, 2022

Aaron Landers dedicated his life to serving others. For 24 years, Landers served as a University of Illinois Police Officer...

Safety first: Village urges residents to slow down near school crossing guards

August 25, 2021

August 25, 2021

When Matt, Andrew and Mark Case were young, their mother Beverly was thankful for a crossing guard to help them...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Nov. 8, 2022

November 8, 2022

November 8, 2022

Happy Election Day! There are a lot of people here tonight and I am not sure why. While we wait,...

Comments
Leave a Reply