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The City of Springfield
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City of Springfield Administrative Offices and Lincoln Library Closed for Veterans Day
The administrative offices of the City of Springfield and Lincoln Library will be closed on Monday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day.
We extend our gratitude to all veterans for their service and sacrifice to our country.
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TONIGHT! Mayor's Veterans Reception
November 7
Join us tonight for the Mayor's Veterans Reception from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at American Legion Post 809, 1800 E. Capitol Ave.
This special Veterans Day program is dedicated to honoring the men and women who have selflessly served our nation. Please join us as we recognize their sacrifices, celebrate their courage, and express our gratitude.
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Thank You, Springfield!
Mayor Buscher Voted Illinois Times-Best City Official
Illinois Times readers have chosen: Mayor Misty Buscher has been named Best City Official of 2024! This accolade is genuinely humbling, and Mayor Buscher is sincerely thankful for the community's ongoing support and trust.
In the coming months, expect to see initiatives to boost economic growth, support local businesses, and highlight educational opportunities for our youth. Mayor Buscher believes in the power of community spirit and is confident that, with your continued support, Springfield will thrive and reach new heights.
Together, we will continue building on our successes, learning from our mistakes, and addressing the challenges that lie ahead. Mayor Buscher is committed to engaging with residents, listening to their concerns, and collaborating with community leaders to ensure that Springfield is an inclusive city for all.
Here's to a promising future filled with innovation, unity, and progress for every member of our beloved city. Let's keep the momentum going!
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The Holiday Planter Contest is Back!
Help us beautify downtown this holiday season.
The Holiday Planter Contest is back! After several years on hiatus, the City of Springfield is excited to welcome back this festive event, and the best part—entry is free!
On behalf of the City of Springfield, the Department of Public Works, and the Mayor's Office, we thank you for your interest in this opportunity to showcase your creativity and talents. As we reintroduce this beloved tradition, we aim to keep the rules simple while encouraging everyone to be as creative as possible.
How it works: Each participant or group will be assigned a downtown planter. With 219 planters available, they will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants can decorate their assigned planters from November 16 to November 29. If you would like a planter near your business, group, or non-profit, you may make a request when registering.
We can't wait to see the creativity and holiday spirit this contest will bring to downtown Springfield! Happy decorating!
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(Pictured: Top L to R from CWLP, Scott Rogers, Electric Division Manager; P.J. Becker, Environmental Health & Safety Manager; Brett Blakley, Energy Services Manager; Rick Meadows, Transmission & Distribution Director; Tom Chi, Projects Manager; Deborah Williams, Regulatory Affairs Director. Bottom L to R from CWLP Amber Sabin, Director of Customer & Media Relations; Mayor Misty Buscher, Doug Brown, Chief Utility Engineer; Patricia Johnson, Commercial Office Manager; Daishia Sloan, Commercial Office Supervisor) | |
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CWLP Earns Smart Energy Provider Designation
City Water, Light and Power is one of 45 U.S. public power utilities, which has earned the 2024 Smart Energy Provider (SEP) designation from the American Public Power Association (APPA) for a commitment to and proficiency in efficiency, distributed energy resources, renewable energy, and environmental initiatives, while also providing affordable electric service. Achieving the SEP designation—an honor the utility also earned in the last award cycle in 2022, helps CWLP benchmark and evaluate its operations, policies and programs against industry best practices.
“Our goal as a community-owned power provider should be to be as sustainable as possible while providing excellent service to Springfield,” said Mayor Misty Buscher. “I believe it’s very important that CWLP not only benchmarks its practices against their peers but also excels and leads in adopting smart energy practices and policies.”
The SEP designation evaluates four key disciplines: smart energy programming, energy efficiency and distributed energy programs (solar), environmental and sustainability initiatives, and customer communication and education.
“I’m honored that CWLP has earned this designation based on the things that a municipal utility does best—putting customers first by prioritizing energy efficiency and sustainability, and keeping power affordable and reliable,” said CWLP Chief Utility Engineer Doug Brown.
CWLP’s application scored high in smart energy programming for its incentivized rate structure for customer-owned solar in its net metering program, along with its wind energy capacity contract to 2037/2038 and its 2018-2020 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which led to the retirement of three coal-fired units in the utility’s transition to cleaner energy sources. The utility received high marks in the category for research and development for its participation in U of I’s Dallman Unit 4 Carbon Capture Pilot, CO2 as feedstock for algae and scrubber wastewater treatment. For demand-side management energy efficiency programs, CWLP was recognized for many of its Energy Services Office programs, including energy audits, home retrofits, lighting, water heaters, heat pumps and HE AC systems, and utility-owned solar for its 250 kW installation under the mySolar subscription program.
APPA announced CWLP’s Smart Energy Award on October 28th in Louisville, Kentucky during its annual Customer Connections Conference.
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A Message from the Springfield Fire Department
Time fell back! This is a good reminder to change the batteries in our smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Alarms need to be replaced after 10 years. How old are yours?
Single and multi-family homes that are still using smoke alarms with removable batteries are required to install new alarms that have a 10-year sealed battery when:
1. alarms exceed 10 years from the date of their being manufactured, or
2. they fail to respond to operability tests or otherwise malfunction, or
3. they are newly installed.
Other types of alarms, including hardwired alarms with backup batteries, may still need fresh batteries every six months.
Manufacturers have worked to keep up with the new standards. They even offer smoke and carbon monoxide combination alarms that have a 10-year sealed battery and hush feature built in. While the initial price is higher than cheaper models, the cost over the life of the alarm can actually be a savings. Just think…. no money spent replacing batteries, no forgetting to replace batteries, and no need to remove the alarm for burnt food. Worry-free protection!
But where should alarms be installed? Install alarms on the ceiling, or high on the wall, and always within 15 feet of where we sleep. The idea is to wake us and give us the time we need to react. We have to hear the beep where we sleep!
Check out this video from one of our own firefighters for helpful instructions on how to install your new alarm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THau716GZRM
Stay safe, Springfield!
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Branch Pick-up Service is Now In Progress!
We’re excited to announce that our branch pick-up service is currently underway!
Click the image to learn more about how this service works and the scheduled dates for your area. Don’t miss out on this convenient option designed to make your experience smoother and more efficient!
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2024 Leaf/Yard Waste Curbside Pick-Up Schedule
The yard waste/leaf pick-up program is a 12-month, every other-week collection program. Stickers are not required. The community is divided into two pick-up zones: North and South. Crews will alternate every other week in each “zone,” picking up yard waste. See the map and November schedule above.
North Zone: North of South Grand Ave. and Old Jacksonville Rd. Including properties west of Veterans Parkway/north of Iles Avenue. (Green)
South Zone: South of South Grand Ave. and Old Jacksonville Rd. Including residential properties around the lake. (Pink)
Reminders:
- Bags must be placed curbside by 6:00 a.m.
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Bags should not be placed on boulevards.
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To estimate when your yard waste will be picked up, crews work from west to east in each zone. An interactive map and pick-up schedule are available on the City’s website.
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If you believe your bags/containers were missed, email: springfieldyw@lakeareadisposal.com
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Holiday Fun Blog
Check out Visit Springfield’s comprehensive list of Holiday events. The “Most Wonderful Time of the Year” is here & Springfield has so many events to celebrate the holiday season! We are adding events daily so check back often for updates.
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The following work will begin or continue the week of November 11 by the City of Springfield's crews and contractors: | |
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Brick Street Repairs
Concrete Patching
- Washington St (Bradfordton-Chatham)
- 16th St (S Grand-Cook)
Ditching/Culverts
- 3140 E Elm St
- 429 N Hill St
- 5 Birch Dr
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Sidewalk Repairs
- 2305 W Monroe St
- 225 N Grand Av E
- 201 W Pine St
- 3600 Crystal Lake Dr
- 200 Block N Durkin Dr
- 1920 S 1st St
- 2nd & Monroe
Street Repairs
- 1904 S Douglas Av
- 1614 E Glenn Av
Full closure of 5th Street between Adams and Monroe from Tuesday, November 12 through Thursday, November 14
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ONGOING CLOSURES
ADAMS STREET FROM 4TH TO 5TH
Closed indefinitely as damage is assessed
STANFORD AVENUE CLOSURE
Stanford Avenue, between 11th Street and Fox Bridge Road, closed for major work, including constructing the new road with curb and gutter, storm sewer, sidewalks on the south side, and multi-use trail on the north side-anticipated completion by the fall of 2024.
SOUTH 6TH ST RESURFACING (STANFORD-MYRTLE)
Sidewalk repairs to include milling and resurfacing of pavement. Intermittent closures through December 2024
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The City of Springfield
is Hiring!
Serve your community while growing your career with a job at the City of Springfield! Our employment website provides a convenient electronic method for submitting applications and exploring current employment opportunities.
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City of Springfield, Department of Public Works, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum present
THE 4TH ANNUAL PUMPKIN SMASH!
Don't miss the City of Springfield's 4th Annual Pumpkin Smash on Saturday, November 9th, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Union Square Park, 500 E. Madison!
Help us keep pumpkins out of the trash and have fun smashing them instead! This eco-friendly event is a great way to enjoy fall while making a positive impact on the environment.
The first 100 attendees get a free reusable bag!
A big thank you to:
- Springfield Public Works
- CWLP
- Visit Springfield
- Habitat for Humanity
- SMTD
- Sustainable Springfield
- Enos Park Community Garden
- Butler Elementary School Garden
- The Kidzeum
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The Library Corner serves as your one-stop destination for discovering all the exciting happenings at the Lincoln Library. This week's event
highlight is:
Storytime Area
Saturday, November 16, 2024
Join us in the children's department for a cornucopia of crafts every Saturday in November, while supplies last. Come to the children's department to grab a fun, at-home take-and-make kit!
November 9 - Playful puppies decoration
November 16 - Beaded "thankful" bracelet
November 23 - Paper plate turkeys
November 30 - Leftover crafts...if there are any!
Crafts are available while supplies last!
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The City of Springfield-
Committee Meeting
The next Committee Meeting will take place on Tuesday,
November 12 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 300 S. 7th Street, 3rd floor.
If you experience issues with a streaming network, please utilize one of the following alternative platforms:
- On Comcast Cable Channel 18 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99
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Stream the meeting on the City's website
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Stream the meeting on the City's YouTube Channel. (On Tuesday evenings, a "Live" box will appear before the first section of videos.)
Missed a meeting? Visit the City's YouTube Channel for past recordings.
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