Coal City Courant

State awards $600,000 for new park

Published by admin on Tue, 01/20/2026 - 3:54pm

Money may not grow on trees, but a new state grant is going to help fund new green space in Coal City.
According to a press release from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, $36 million in grants will be awarded to support 67 local park projects throughout Illinois, with Coal City among them.

CC Theatre to present the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Published by admin on Tue, 01/13/2026 - 12:39pm

The Coal City Theatre Department is hosting a unique fundraiser, an event designed to generate financial support for its educational trip to New York City, through a special performance of the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Just like a spelling bee, this event promises charm, laughter, and a little friendly competition.
Community members are invited to enjoy the show and support the arts in a fun, memorable way at performances set for Saturday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18 in the Coal City Performing Arts Center.

Progress coming to Coal City, Diamond in 2026

Published by admin on Tue, 01/06/2026 - 3:18pm

The opening of a new residential development, more green space and some road improvements are on the way for Coal City in 2026.
In an interview with the Courant, Mayor Dave Spesia previewed some of the issues that are coming up in the new year for the village of about 5,700 residents.
Mayor Spesia highlighted these projects for 2026.
• Construction of the Hunter’s Run development is on track to finish next summer, with residents able to move in by the fall.

Grocery tax ends this week in Coal City

Published by admin on Tue, 12/30/2025 - 12:17pm

The Village of Coal City is the only town between Braidwood, Diamond and Wilmington that will no longer have a grocery tax of 1 percent beginning Jan. 1.
The village board did not extend the tax that the state is discontinuing Jan. 1. While the savings shoppers will see may seem small, with continuing increases at the checkout counter, every penny saved helps.
The grocery tax savings it among the lead stories that occurred in 2025. Here are others that were featured in the Coal City Courant.

Coal City advances seven to FBLA State Competition

Published by admin on Tue, 12/23/2025 - 12:32pm

The Coal City High School chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America [FBLA] attended the Central Northern Area Conference at Lincoln-Way East High School on Saturday, Dec. 13.
As a chapter, Coal City had 10 members compete in different events consisting of tests, presentations, and/or interviews. Students earning first and second place finished qualified to compete at the state leadership conference in April 2026.

Residents should see savings with latest tax levy

Published by admin on Wed, 12/17/2025 - 1:48pm

Coal City residents will see a decrease in their next property tax bill.
The village board of trustees, at their Dec. 10 meeting, passed the 2025 tax levy that will result in a decrease of just under $14 per $100,000 of a home’s market value in comparison to the cost of the bill last year.
“The overall levy is an increase of 3.32 percent,” Village Administrator Matt Fritz said after village trustees approved the levy.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

Published by admin on Tue, 12/09/2025 - 2:18pm

’Tis the season for song and merriment, and guests of King Martin and Queen Olivia will experience just that as the royal pair open the castle doors for Coal City High School’s annual Madrigal performances this week.
The Madrigal choir is a vocal ensemble composed of ninth to 12th grade students that performs during the winter holidays, sharing the songs of the season. No Madrigal performance is complete without storytelling and fellowship around a bountiful banquet table.

Coal City's first Teacher of the Month

Published by admin on Tue, 12/02/2025 - 4:56pm

Emily Vandergrift “makes learning fun” and is “very understanding to all her students.”
These statements were just a few from students who nominated her as Coal City High School’s first Teacher of the Month.
The program to recognize outstanding educators at the school was established by Educators Rising, a career and technical student organization for future educators.
November was the first month of the recognition program, so Ms. Vandergrift is the first-ever recipient of the honor which is based on nominations from students.

New Village seal includes historic mining tools

Published by admin on Tue, 11/25/2025 - 4:19pm

Coal City residents with an interest in local history can check out the latest additions to the village seal.
Now on display in the meeting room at the village hall at 515 South Broadway Street, the upgraded version of the seal features tools that were used by workers in area mines well over a century ago.
“We thought it would be cool if we added a real pick and shovel,” said Kyle Watson, a building official with the public works department who welded the framework and attached the crisscrossing pick and shovel to the seal.

CCHS proud to have 22 State Scholars

Published by admin on Tue, 11/18/2025 - 3:54pm

Few in Illinois can say they are an Illinois State Scholar. But Coal City has 22 of them, ranking them among to top 10 percent of high school students in the state.
For 67 years, the ISAC has recognized seniors for this academic achievement. The honorees are selected based on a combination of exemplary scores on the SAT or ACT college entrance exam and class rank at the close of six semesters of study.