Springfield Appoints New Alderman, Advances Low-Income Housing Project

The council appoints Jeffrey G. Cox as the new Alderman for Ward One and approves significant funding for the east-side Nehemiah Expansion housing project. Public comments address unsolved murders, massage parlor enforcement, and a new initiative on cancer disparities among Black women. 6mins

Economic Development Housing Policy Planning & Zoning
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Original Meeting

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Springfield City Council on YouTube
Tuesday, February 18th, 2025
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Theresa Grimaldi Olsen
Springfield Illinois
Theresa Grimaldi Olsen is a freelance journalist, writer and teacher. Her work has appeared in several Illinois newspapers and magazines including the State Journal Register in Springfield, Ill., Peoria, the Chicago Tribune. and Illinois Issues. She also has worked in public relations and fundraising for non-profit organizations and taught journalism at Illinois State University and Bradley University.
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In This Video
  • A motion is made to move agenda item 2025047 to the front of the agenda. The council discusses and votes to bring the item forward, appointing Jeffrey G. Cox as Alderman for Ward One. 
  • The meeting moves to the consent agenda, which is approved without discussion. Mayor Buscher then introduces an ordinance for infrastructure improvements in the Far East TIF District, which is also approved without discussion. 
  • Mayor Buscher introduces ordinance for $1 million grant that allows for the construction of 50 homes in the fifth phase of the Nehemiah Expansion project. The ordinance approved without discussion. Reverend Johnson thanks the council for their support on the housing project, and Alderman Gregory expresses gratitude for the collaboration on the project. 
  • The Rev. Silas Johnson thanks the council for their support of the east side housing project. Johnson says building will begin this fall, but was corrected. Staff says building is planned to begin in the spring of 2026. 
  • Alderman Gregory thanks various stakeholders for their efforts in making the affordable housing project possible and expresses his commitment to future projects. 
  • James Johnson speaks about the need for justice for the families of unsolved murder victims and criticizes the police department's focus on gun removal over solving these cases. 
  • Ken Pacha speaks about the ongoing issue with massage parlors operating against city ordinances and the lack of enforcement. 
  • Kaitlyn Keen explains the nationwide effort to recruit participants for a long-term study to better understand and address why black women have a 40 percent more likelihood of dying of breast cancer than a white woman their same age. 
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