Whiteside County roundup: Enterprise Zone Board approves Milledgeville territory review; committees weigh salaries, grants
The Whiteside County Enterprise Zone Board voted July 14 to consider adding territory to Milledgeville, the only decided action among a week of committee meetings where minutes have not yet been published. Several committees were scheduled to weigh salary decisions, contract awards, and a carbon dioxide pipeline moratorium.
Enterprise Zone (July 14) — Decided
The Enterprise Zone Board approved the January 13, 2026 minutes by collective Aye vote and approved the Fiscal Year and Quarterly reports with all members in agreement. A motion to consider additional territory in Milledgeville carried. Members also discussed a request to add more territory and the potential removal of certain properties from the zone.
Public Works Committee (July 7) — Agenda Only
Minutes have not been published. The committee was scheduled to vote on a resolution establishing a moratorium opposing carbon dioxide pipelines. Other planned items included awarding a road repair bid for ComEd repairs in Lyndon, Mt. Pleasant, and Union Grove Townships, and approving a supplemental engineering agreement with Willett Hofmann & Associates for the Genesee Ct. Bridge in Morrison at a not-to-exceed cost of $71,509.94. Data centers were listed as a discussion topic.
Public Safety Committee (July 8) — Agenda Only
The committee was scheduled to vote on motions setting the State's Attorney salary at $228,317.97 and the Sheriff's salary at $182,654.38, both effective July 1, 2026. The County Administrator was slated to provide updates on ARPA funds, new hires, and nuisance properties.
Judiciary and Wage & Salary Committees (July 9) — Agenda Only
The Judiciary Committee was set to vote on a motion setting the Public Defender's salary at $205,486.17, effective July 1, 2026, and to review monthly reports from Court Services, the Public Defender, the Circuit Clerk, and the Law Library. The Wage & Salary Committee was scheduled to consider placing the First Assistant Public Defender in Grade 18 of the county salary plan.
County Offices Committee (July 9) — Agenda Only
Items included approval of June claim reports, approval of the Election Judge Roster, a County Clerk update on mailing over 34,000 Permanent Vote By Mail postcards, and an Aerial Orthophotography update from the GIS Director.
Finance Committee (July 13) — Agenda Only
The committee was scheduled to approve the June claim report and a $1,358.08 mileage and travel reimbursement for County Board members. The Treasurer was set to present temporary investment and fund balance summaries. Updates on a Public Transportation transition and ARPA funds from Economic Development were also listed.
Executive Committee (July 14) — Agenda Only
The committee was scheduled to set a public comment period for the renewal of the Clean Air Act permit for Behrens Trucking & Excavating at 610 Wallace Street, Sterling IL, for the July 21 regular board meeting. Other items included a Resolution of Retirement for Robin Brands, a Resolution of Condolence for the Marvin D. VanZuiden family, and the reappointment of Dustin D. Hook and Shane J. Dykstra as Commissioners to the Johnson Creek Levee and Drainage District and Subdistrict #1.
Airport Board (July 16) — Agenda Only
The board was scheduled to elect officers and discuss painting an airport hangar roof. Additional items included updates on a lobbyist, a corporate hangar project, and lease termination and vacancy declaration for Hangar 6 Southwest Garage.
Zoning Hearings (July 16) — Cancelled
The agenda states there was no meeting on July 16, 2026. No items were discussed or decided.
Coming Up
- **July 20 — Landfill Committee:** County Administrator presentation of the WMI Agreement, plus Waste Management Inc. reports and Health Department inspection reports.
- **July 20 — Special Service Area No. 1 Committee:** Discussion of amending the Intergovernmental Agreement for ambulance services, an ambulance rechassis invoice, and a budget recommendation.
- **July 21 — County Board:** Votes scheduled on setting salaries for the State's Attorney ($228,317.97), Sheriff ($182,654.38), and Public Defender ($205,486.17); a $50,000 business grant for Stahr Media; and ComEd road repairs for Lyndon, Mt. Pleasant, and Union Grove Townships.
- **July 28 — Mental Health Board:** Discussion of agency funding requests and allocation decisions at the YWCA in Sterling.
- **July 30 — 911 / Emergency Telephone Systems Board:** Bill payment review, approval of October meeting minutes, and a closed session.