Free Press Advocate

Wilmington Beautification efforts ‘could be contagious’

Published by admin on Tue, 08/31/2021 - 4:56pm

Some Wilmington residents are hoping to band together to help spruce up some areas around the city.

On Aug. 25, a small group of people and several downtown business owners gathered at Wilmington City Hall to discuss with local leaders the possibility of forming a beautification committee for the city.

Wilmington resident Kim Jansen first brought the idea to the council’s Committee of the Whole in early August.

Wilmington Park District still basking in Catfish Days success

Published by admin on Tue, 08/31/2021 - 4:53pm

It’s only been a month since Catfish Days returned to Wilmington.

But, the Wilmington Park District said their part in the event was such a success, they’re already preparing for next year.

During the park board’s regular monthly meeting on Aug. 26, Wilmington Park District Executive Director Kirsten Van Duyne told board members that the activities planned by the district during Catfish Days were better attended than they had anticipated.

“It was a wild and crazy busy weekend, but it turned out to be a ton of fun and super successful,” Van Duyne said.

Wilmington officials disagree on downtown green space needs

Published by admin on Tue, 08/24/2021 - 5:01pm

Plans for a new parking lot in Wilmington’s historic downtown shopping district are still in the concept phase. But, some members of the city council are already looking to make some tweaks and changes to the plan.

A concept plan for a 38-stall lot was first brought to the council during the Committee of the Whole meeting on Aug. 10.

Proposed Wilmington kayak launch sunk for good

Published by admin on Tue, 08/24/2021 - 4:57pm

The question of whether a new kayak launch will come to Wilmington has been answered, and it’s a no for the majority of the City Council.

The North Island kayak launch was a $250,000 project, with $200,000 expected to be covered by the Forest Preserve District of Will County via state grant funding. The city would have had to invest $50,000, plus an additional annual cost of $6,000-$8,000 for property and liability insurance on the launch.

Wilmington to consider facade grant for new downtown wine bar

Published by admin on Tue, 08/24/2021 - 4:52pm

The Wilmington City Council will consider a facade improvement grant for a new wine bar expected to open soon on Water Street.

On Aug. 17, the council reviewed the application for the grant submitted by Adriana Martinez, a co-owner of Blue Horse Wine, located at 115 N. Water St.

Martinez and the building’s owner, Bob Hoover, submitted the application for improvements including paint, concrete filing, new lights, and the addition of an awning, with an anticipated total cost of $5,500.

Students head back to school in Wilmington 209-U

Published by admin on Tue, 08/17/2021 - 5:37pm

The school year begins at Wilmington School District 209-U this week with 1,130 students making their way inside the district's four buildings.

On Aug. 9, the district’s four principals gave the preliminary enrollment numbers for each school during the regular meeting of the Board of Education.

So far, the kindergarten class is one of the largest the district has seen in several years. And over at Wilmington High School this year’s sophomores have the biggest of the four classes on campus.

Wilmington City Council looks at downtown parking proposal

Published by admin on Tue, 08/17/2021 - 5:35pm

Members of the Wilmington City Council have gotten a peek at a proposed concept plan for a parking lot in the downtown historic district.

In July, the council approved an agreement with Ruettiger, Tonelli & Associates, Inc. to design two concept plans for downtown parking, and do the prep work associated with asking for bids.

The plans will involve turning two vacant city-owed properties that sit along the west side of North Water Street between Jackson and Van Buren Streets into additional parking areas, as well as the alley south of the properties.

License plate reader cameras coming to River, Wilmington-Peotone roads

Published by admin on Tue, 08/17/2021 - 5:32pm

The city of Wilmington has signed off on an intergovernmental agreement with Will County to get more of its Flock Cameras on the road.

Earlier this year, the Wilmington Police Department entered into an agreement with Atlanta-based Flock Safety, to utilize eight license plate reading cameras around the city.

The cameras cost about $2,500 each per year. The city does not own the cameras, but rather, leases them—and the video feed—from the company.

National skiers converge upon Wilmington

Published by admin on Tue, 08/10/2021 - 5:03pm

Nearly 700 waterskiing athletes from across the United States descended upon Waters Edge Subdivision in Wilmington, Sunday for the 79th GOODE Water Ski National Championships.

License plates from California to the Carolinas could be seen in the parking area on Sunday as skiers, ages 4 to 85, showed up to compete in slalom, trick and jump finals. Through Saturday competition begins daily at 7 a.m. (CDT). A live webcast will be available at www.waterskinationals.com.

Masks no longer optional for back to school at Wilmington 209-U

Published by admin on Tue, 08/10/2021 - 5:01pm

When the Wilmington School District 209-U Board of Education met on Monday night, around 25 members of the community were there, ready to speak up and speak out on the mask mandate for the upcoming school year.

But ultimately, the message the district delivered was that students will be starting the year just as they did last year—in person and wearing face coverings.