Potential $80,000 Identified To Assist With Laundry Services For Low-Income Families

The council discusses rising utility fees to the upcoming St. Patrick's Day parade, making the 1987 federal consent decree that guides Springfield government public, and the push to serve families living in poverty with laundry services. Stay engaged and catch our next highlight reel for more updates from the council! 14mins

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Original Meeting

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Springfield City Council on YouTube
Tuesday, March 11th, 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
  • The treasurer reads the report and the council votes to accept the report as well as last week's minutes. 
  • A detailed explanation on public utilities fee structures follows. 
  • The discussion continues with a shift towards the concept of a membership fee for grid access and its implications during outages. 
  • New business is introduced, moving on from routine consent votes. Alderwoman Purchase announces details about the upcoming 40th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade this Saturday, outlining schedule changes and location updates. 
  • Gwen Harrison, Springfield Library director, shows aldermen pictures of bookmobile and reports that the project is moving quicker and hopes to be ready by the start of the summer reading program June 2. 
  • Ald. Notariano asks if the city's 1987 federal consent decree could be posted on the city's website and if an ordinance would be necessary to make that happen. The discussion leads to the mayor, clerk and corporate counsel agreeing to meet about the possibility. 
  • Citizens are invited to address the committee. Jonah Hosea, 15, suggests a change to the lights at a dangerous city intersection. Hosea gives a personal account of his accident, discusses data and the need for infrastructure improvements. Ald. Notariano says the city is working on a solution that may be completed by the end of the year. 
  • Alderman Purchase acknowledges Frazier for attending council meeting nearly every week for the last eight months and moves the discussion into an update on the research being done to support free laundry services in the community. Amy Rasing, economic development director, provides details on potential funding and next steps. 
  • Rasing says about $30,000 in a grant funds have been identified for laundry services. Frazier has signed an agreement for those funds that explains the reimbursement program details, including the documented expenses, current funding cap of just over $30,000,. Future funding may be available with additional grants. 
  • Alderwoman Purchase lends her support for the laundry services, however states that funds are limited and the city's contribution will have to be through grants. She is excited to hear what the police department is doing to support the effort. 
  • Police Chief Ken Scarlette reports that he is working on an amendment to a grant that is in its third year to secure $50,000 in funding to support Mr. Frazier’s efforts. Scarlette says the amendment may take time, but he is optimistic that the police department will be able to provide temporary financial help. 
  • Frazier makes a final statement. 
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