City of Washington, Illinois

08/27/2026

A little information for our residents that may be helpful to have on hand! 💙

If you don’t already have an Ameren Online Profile or the Ameren Mobile app, they can make it easier to manage your account and stay informed online, including:

• Track electric and natural gas usage
• View bill projections and pay bills
• Find energy assistance information
• Report outages
• Receive outage restoration updates
• Update account information

Learn more here: https://www.ameren.com/profile/mobile-app

⭐For questions regard this service, please reach out to Ameren directly. Customer Service information can be found here: https://www.ameren.com/customer-service

08/25/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us today to celebrate the reopening of the historic Candlewood Bridge! 💙

It was truly wonderful to see so many members of our community come together for this special moment. We have also loved reading the memories and stories residents have shared about visits to Candlewood Bridge over the years. Those stories are a meaningful reminder of just how much history and connection this landmark holds for our community.

Our sincere thanks to the Washington Historical Society, Washington Chamber of Commerce, John C. Ackerman, Mayor Lilija Stevens, Crawford, Murphy, and Tilly (CMT), our amazing community leaders, and everyone who contributed to making today’s ribbon cutting such a great celebration.

We are grateful to officially reopen this piece of Washington history and look forward to seeing new memories made at Candlewood Bridge for many years to come!

08/24/2026

Spray Patching Notice: Pine Tree Drive & Shellbark Court

Weather permitting, spray patching is expected to begin tomorrow, Tuesday, August 25, on Pine Tree Drive and Shellbark Court and will continue until further notice.

For questions, please reach out to the City directly at (309) 444-3196. ~Thank you.

08/24/2026

SAVE THE DATE | Join us Sunday, September 6 for the September 11 Remembrance Ceremony as we welcome fighter pilot Heather “Lucky” Penney to Washington.

🗓 Sunday, September 6, 2026 | 🕓 4:00 p.m.
📍Veterans Memorial Helicopter at Washington Park
815 Lincoln Street, Washington, IL 61571

We are honored to have Heather Penney as the special guest speaker for this year’s ceremony.

On September 11, 2001, First Lieutenant Heather “Lucky” Penney was serving as an F-16 pilot with the District of Columbia Air National Guard when she was called to help defend the nation’s capital. As reports came in that United Airlines Flight 93 had been hijacked and was headed toward Washington, D.C., Penney and her commanding officer, Marc Sasseville, were ordered into the air. There was no time to arm their F-16s with live missiles. If they reached Flight 93, their only option would be to use their own aircraft to bring it down.

Penney took off knowing the mission could require her to sacrifice her own life.

Before they could intercept the aircraft, the passengers and crew aboard Flight 93 fought back against the hijackers, and the plane crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Penney has consistently credited the passengers and crew of Flight 93 as the true heroes of that day.

This year’s ceremony will also feature The Gibson Girls, performing the National Anthem and “God Bless America,” along with musical selections by Bagpiper Scott Whitman.

The September 11 Remembrance Ceremony Committee and City of Washington are deeply grateful to every individual, community leader, and organization who has contributed to this ceremony and helped our community remember with the dignity and reverence this occasion deserves.

Seating for the ceremony will be limited. Those attending are encouraged to bring a lawn chair.

08/21/2026

2027 Consolidated Election | Candidate Nomination Information

Beginning Tuesday, August 25, 2026, nomination papers for the 2027 Consolidated Election will be available for circulation.

The following four-year term seats will be open for nomination:

• Ward I Alderperson
• Ward II Alderperson
• Ward III Alderperson
• Ward IV Alderperson

Nomination papers may be picked up at City Hall or accessed online through the City Clerk’s page on the City of Washington website: https://www.ci.washington.il.us/department/index.php?structureid=14

Candidates may file nomination papers with the City Clerk from November 16 through November 23, 2026, on weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

For additional information, please contact City Clerk Valeri Brod at 309-444-1137.

City Hall: 301 Walnut St., Washington, IL 61571

08/21/2026

The City of Washington currently has openings on two City commissions, and we’d love to see residents who care about our community consider getting involved.

Economic Development Commission - 1 Vacancy
Help support efforts to promote, retain and expand business and economic development in Washington.

Planning & Zoning Commission - 1 Vacancy
Help consider land use and development issues that play a role in Washington’s future growth.

Our boards and commissions are an important part of how the City works. They bring residents into the conversation and give community members an opportunity to share their ideas, experience and perspective on issues that help shape Washington.

If serving sounds like something you might be interested in, we encourage you to learn more about each commission and apply through our Boards & Commissions page:

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/005f0efc5dc547d49f6250b92bf1c314

Have you applied before? If you’ve submitted an application in the past and are still interested in serving, please let us know through the application portal that you’d like to be considered for one of these openings. We’d be happy to know you’re still interested!

08/20/2026

Happy Birthday, Mayor Lilija Stevens! 🥳

On behalf of everyone at City Hall, we wish Mayor Stevens a very happy birthday.

Thank you for your dedication to Washington and for the care and enthusiasm you bring to serving our community. We hope you feel especially celebrated today!

Please join us in wishing Mayor Stevens a Happy Birthday!💙

08/20/2026

Good morning, Washington! Tazewell County residents have two opportunities to participate in the 2026 E-Waste Collection.

Appointments are required, and each household may register for one event date and location only. Space is limited and registration is first-come, first-served, so residents are encouraged to sign up early.

📍 Multiple event dates and locations are available
🖥️ Limit of two monitors per household
🏠 Proof of Tazewell County residency is required

Register here: https://signup.com/go/tWkyCGs

Please note: This collection is coordinated by Tazewell County. For questions or additional information, please contact Tazewell County Environmental Health Educator Amanda Hunt at (309) 929-0254.

Tazewell County residents showed up in a big way in 2025, setting a new county e-waste collection record! Nearly 700 participants brought in more than 70,000 pounds of electronic waste for responsible recycling and disposal.

Overwhelming turnout meant that some residents who arrived hoping to participate were unfortunately turned away once capacity was reached. That didn't sit well with us.

Moving forward, to better serve residents and reduce wait times, participants can now choose from multiple event dates and locations. When registering, each household must select only one location/date option, and appointments cannot be scheduled for both events.

Our goal is simple: serve as many Tazewell County residents as possible while providing a safe and positive experience for everyone.

Registration Details: ✅ Appointment required with proof of Tazewell Co. residency ✅ Each household must choose one event date/location only (not both)✅ Limit of two monitors per household ✅ Space remains limited, and registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. If you were one of the residents who couldn't be accommodated last year, or if you're ready to recycle e-waste now, we encourage you to register early for the location most convenient for you.

Additionally, TAPS No-Kill Animal Shelter will host a can drive during the e-waste collection. Residents are encouraged to bring any aluminum cans they would like to donate.

Sign up for Tazewell Co. E-waste Collection ( https://signup.com/go/tWkyCGs ) on today!

08/19/2026

🏛️ City Council Meeting Highlights for 8/17/26

🇺🇸 The Council heard a presentation about the upcoming September 11 Remembrance Ceremony, scheduled for Sunday, September 6, 4pm at Washington Park. Organizers shared details about this year's ceremony and efforts to support the event. Additional details about the ceremony will be shared soon.

🩺 The Council approved the City's health insurance renewal with an additional plan option.

🚧 The Council approved roadway maintenance for Pinetree and Shellbark, with a cost not to exceed $235,000.

🏢 The Council approved a second amendment to the TIF redevelopment agreement for 104–106 N. Main St., providing $10,966.91 in additional financial assistance for roof replacement.

🏬 The Council reconsidered a $45,400 Commercial Building and Property Improvement Grant application for Cherry Tree Plaza for storefront window improvements intended to help attract future tenants. Following discussion about adding additional safeguards to the agreement, the Council unanimously deferred a decision until its next meeting to allow time for those provisions to be developed.

🚒 The Council received an update from the Fire Department, which reported 209 calls in July, an increase of 32 calls compared to the previous year. The Council also discussed a proposed change to the Washington Fire Department Board to add representation from the Northern Tazewell Fire Protection District.

📍 The Council approved a billboard zoning code text amendment after waiving the second reading.

🛍️ The Council continued discussion of the proposed Business Development District (BDD) ahead of the public hearing scheduled for September 8 at 6:30 p.m.

🗣️ The next Let's Talk Washington community meeting is scheduled for September 22 from 4–5 p.m. at Sunnyside Restaurant.

📄 As always, official meeting minutes and recordings will be available on the City's website after they are finalized.

08/19/2026

🛠We’re Hiring! | Interested in joining our Public Works team?🛠

The City of Washington is accepting applications for a full-time Public Works Laborer – Street Department!

This is a hands-on position with plenty of variety throughout the year, including maintaining City streets and properties, roadway repairs, storm cleanup, snow removal and more.

Learn more about the position and apply here: https://ciwashington.aaimtrack.com/jobs/1322617

Applications are due August 31, 2026.

Please share this post with anyone who may be interested!