Yes, I want to be notified about 
A Call To Action!
Nokomis Needs Leadership,
Vision and Planning.
Let Nokomis City Government and
Business Leaders Know Your Thoughts.
Nokomis 2.0
"Campaign for a Better Nokomis."
The Community of Nokomis
Deserve Better.
Nokomis Needs Leadership,
Vision and Planning.
Let Nokomis City Government and
Business Leaders Know Your Thoughts.
Nokomis 2.0
"Campaign for a Better Nokomis."
The Community of Nokomis
Deserve Better.
Send a Nokomis Shout
Current Shouts
Newest Shout
Comment Added
Shout Posted by: Heartland Newsfeed / Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network
By now, everyone knows about the drug busts that done at Front Street Pub, and apparently at the Hippy Trip as well.So here's an honest question that I believe the people of Nokomis deserves to know:
What happens when Nokomis Police Department and the Montgomery County State's Attorney is done with any further investigations while the court cases involving Barbara Krager and Jeremy Shipley are ongoing.
Krager's name is on both properties, while the Front Street Pub property is also co-signed by her current husband John Krager.
I would think that legal precedent would result in Krager losing her properties, considering methamphetamine was found at both locations.
So, does it become city property until such a time that they put it up for sale? Would the city just opt to be a permanent owner of the buildings with intent to lease the spaces out? If it came down to a decision starting with the Nokomis Planning Commission and ending with the City Council, why not use the business district funds to promote the available buildings for lease, if they're not going to sell them after it's released from state's evidence?
There's a lot of questions that not only the people deserve to know, but also the local media -- The Journal-News, the Free Press-Progress, and Heartland Newsfeed. July 04 2023
1
0
Add a Comment
Scott Robinson - Administrator
not sure which address(es) is/are included.... can only hope it's everything she had her name on!court record 2023FC22
August 29 2023
Heartland Newsfeed / Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network
Apparently both. Doesn't appear that it will be a police department property seizure after all. Legal notice from Thursday's (8/31) Journal-News. Foreclosure on both buildings. Security National Bank filed the legal notice.September 01 2023
Newest Shout
Shout Posted by: NoMoreVideoGamingInNokomis
The Nokomis City Council greenlit yet another liquor license at the most recent meeting for the former Jim's IGA building at 101 E. State. Doesn't Nokomis have enough active liquor licenses as it is? Two of the bars downtown that are owned by the same person aren't even open half the time, and she's allowed to keep her licenses?So apparently, the Murrays, who own Rudy's in Witt (the former used furniture store along Illinois Route 16) bought the building.
They intend to operate an event center for small private parties. Hopefully, it will be better utilized than in the past. Maybe the liquor license was to serve liquor license, perhaps? Nobody knows because it wasn't mentioned by either newspaper in the area. No transparency at all regarding the license application at all.
There is a piece of concern that should be addressed, quoting the story from The Journal-News:
"The plan also includes adding video gaming machines as well."
We don't need any more video gaming machines. There's already one downtown merchant who is still waiting on his machines, and they've yet to be delivered.
Was this an action intentionally greenlit by this so-called joke of a Planning Commission organized by the City of Nokomis?
Shouldn't there been a better effort to get the Murrays to put in a grocery store instead? We're losing sales tax dollars left and right because people have to shop in Pana, Taylorville, Hillsboro, or God forbid, Ramsey and Vandalia.
I swear, there should be higher priorities in the City of Nokomis than more liquor licenses and more video gaming machines. June 16 2023
2
0
Add a Comment
Newest Shout
Comment Added
Shout Posted by: Jake Leonard
I think this should be an issue that should be addressed ASAP once the library is fully moved over to the former Masonic Lodge.What's the plan for it? Taxpayers, as the stakeholders of this community (not our local politicians), should have every right to demand what should be done with it.
I have an idea that could generate revenue for the city to the point where tax and water/sewer rate hikes will never be brought up again.
Has anyone ever checked out The Hilltop Coop in Hillsboro? The site is the former bookstore that was redeveloped as a shared working space (aka a co-working space). More about that at https://thehilltopcoop.com/.
Why not try that? Anything would be better than higher taxes or unnecessary water and sewer rate hikes. Plus, it might actually get some of our MANY home-based businesses out into the community every once in a while in a working space that benefits all at an affordable price. Maybe build out a conference room inside the space so that the Chamber or any of the other community organizations can meet in there. June 07 2023
1
0
Add a Comment
Jake Leonard
The space at the Nokomis City Complex that formerly held the Nokomis Public Library will have a short-term tenant in 2024.In Monday's city council meeting, the council voted to approve a six-month lease to the Illinois Department of Transportation to serve as its field office during some improvement projects along Illinois Route 16 next year. The monthly rate is $650 a month.
I still think they could have gotten more per month. That's a lot of square footage. I think they could have gotten somewhere in the range of $850 to $1,100 per month.
Oh well, at least it's short-term revenue coming in the door.
Once IDOT is gone, we really need to discuss the space being a co-working space. Hell, if it gets me out of the home office for a few hours a day, I wouldn't mind paying $100 to $150 per month for a dedicated workspace up there. It would certainly beat having an unused empty space.
August 30 2023
Shout Posted by: Scott Robinson - Administrator
Was there a reason behind why only a select few businesses were invited to this recent Planning Commission meeting? Just a little odd to have this meeting on May 16 with little to no notice. (If this is a government-led initiative, then per the Open Meetings Act, it requires a 72-hour notice.) Why weren't other businesses in this community invited? There are plenty of other businesses in this community that aren't downtown.There are people here who have great ideas, but are either ignored or never heard from.
It's truly insulting. May 28 2023
1
0
Add a Comment
Comment Added
Shout Posted by: Scott Robinson - Administrator
What is going on with the grocery store everyone was sharing posts about that was going into the old Mexican restaurant? May 27 2023
2
0
Add a Comment
Heartland Newsfeed / Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network
It appears that the property is back on the market.August 01 2023
Comment Added
Shout Posted by: Scott Robinson - Administrator
What departments have the council members been assigned to now? May 23 2023
Click to Enlarge
1
0
Add a Comment
Scott Robinson - Administrator
Can City Council respond?May 26 2023
Heartland Newsfeed / Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network
According to the letterhead on city stationery, this is the current commissioner structure:Finance - Lou Stauder
Public Health/Safety - Tisha Morris
Streets/Infrastructure - Michael Glenn
Public Property - Scott Arkebauer
June 13 2023
Shout Posted by: Scott Robinson - Administrator
If anyone from the City Council is paying attention, we need more transparency from our municipal government. There are constituents who are either home bound or have night jobs who aren't able to attend the meetings in person. The fact that transparency is only limited to the Free Press-Progress and The Journal-News is a joke.There are city councils in our area who either do livestreams or they record their meetings to view the next day. Assumption Mayor Derek Page is a good resource for what they did for their meetings. They brokered a deal with CTI for the video equipment and host the meeting recordings (including all of their departmental committees) on their website.
Also, the fact that city owns a website domain (cityofnokomis.com) and does nothing with it outside of council and staff emails doesn't help. Heck, you could put the city council meeting agendas, extended agendas (including attachments that the public doesn't get to see), and meeting videos. There were examples previously mentioned on a separate thread on examples of other municipal websites across south central Illinois. May 21 2023
0
0
Add a Comment
Shout Posted by: Admin
If you would like to have your name placed on the list for more information about the Nokomis 2.0 Planning Meetings "Campaign for a Better Nokomis", please enter your name and email address in the form at the bottom left column of this website. More details will be provided soon.Thank you for those that have already signed up. Any ideas you may have about the meetings can be sent to admin@nokomisshoutbox.com
-- NokomisShoutBox.com Administrator May 19 2023
0
0
Add a Comment
Comment Added
Shout Posted by: Scott Robinson - Administrator
This post directed at the city council:1. How much money has the city received since this program started in 2017?
2. How much money has been paid out to business owners as grants?
3. How much money has been paid out for other discretionary grants?
4. Why haven't there been any downtown improvements such as sidewalks, street lights, new roads, etc., which the funds were intended to be used for?
I feel the city is lacking a complete transparent plan on how to move forward. A group of community members should be sanctioned by the city council to draft a plan. May 17 2023
0
0
Add a Comment
Scott Robinson - Administrator
Can someone from the city council respond to this question?May 19 2023
Scott Robinson - Administrator
Can someone from the city council respond to this question?May 26 2023
Shout Posted by: Admin
Does Anyone Know The Artist for this Image? Like to give credit where credit is due. May 17 2023
Click to Enlarge
0
0
Add a Comment
Shout Posted by: Scott Robinson - Administrator
https://www.llcu.org/Blog/Posts/122/Alerts/2023/4/LLCU-to-acquire-Nokomis-Savings-Bank/blog-post/Good riddance. Nokomis Savings Bank is the worst bank in town. May 16 2023
1
0
Add a Comment
Shout Posted by: Scott Robinson - Administrator
If you live on the south side of Nokomis, you know that we're extremely prone to flooding.The crossing at Spruce and South Streets is a clear example, and it continues to be an issue in instances of heavy rainfall.
For many years, it was a stretch of Maple Street from Capps Avenue to the Nokomis Cemetery. Several years ago, it was brought up before the City Council. Something was worked out, but ultimately, in 2023, that solution has eroded out and it's flooding there as well.
Another example is along Capps Avenue and Bertolino Avenue. I know of two spots where it was a problem as a result of yesterday's thunderstorms: in front of Cameron West's home and from Johnson Street to the other side of Ray Dilley's home. Since the storm drains in the close proximity are rarely maintained by the city, I had to make sure that it was cleared out so that the flooding could subside.
While we're at it, you shouldn't be driving through areas that are flooded to begin with. Witnessed a couple dozen people driving through it like it was nothing, but with the water flow that was coming from the fields, your vehicle could have very easily lifted up your vehicle and crashed it into the vehicles parked in the neighboring trailer court or caused property damage to any of the three travel trailers.
Just to add another note, these are the same areas that had those clay culverts that have fallen apart or rotted over the past ten years. May 15 2023
2
0
Add a Comment
Comment Added
Shout Posted by: Scott Robinson - Administrator
For Nokomis to recover and grow we need businesses that are diffrent and unique - that will both offer something for the local community and also attract visitors from nearby cities to increase sales tax revenues. May 13 2023
3
0
Add a Comment
Jake Leonard
At the same time, commercial real estate prices need to normalize -- and fast -- because I guarantee you that most of the buildings downtown that are up for sale are not worth what they're demanding.That's the main contributor as to why there aren't enough unique businesses in town.
May 14 2023
Comment Added
Shout Posted by: Scott Robinson - Administrator
Can someone tell me why my water has so many contaminants? May 13 2023
Click to Enlarge
1
0
Add a Comment
Jake Leonard
That's literally the same question that current city commissioner Tisha Morris had been asking for well over a year.Our water was just fine when the city entered that public/private partnership with Woodard and Curran, until it was torpedoed by lies from former mayor Russ Foster.
There's also not enough transparency about the chemicals that they use to clean up the water for potable use. But no, they're too busy demonizing other outfits like EJ Water, where their customers in Ohlman and Wenonah have admitted that the water quality is significantly better than when they were serviced by Nokomis -- by miles.
This water isn't even drinkable -- and the city wonders why so many people would rather buy spring water or filtered water in bulk than drink their water.
May 14 2023
Scott Robinson - Administrator
The Puritan Springs delivery guy said he has over 70 deliveries in Nokomis.May 15 2023
Jake Leonard
Not surprising at all. There are a lot of people unwilling to drink the water in Pana as well, hence why they go through Puritan Springs as well.May 15 2023
Mayor Dylan Goldsmith
The city has never serviced water to Ohlman or Wenonah so Jake’s comment reference that is completely false. Further, you have to be specific when referring to “contaminants” as there are many things that are allowable by the EPA that some consider contamination. I think any water that comes out of pipes in the ground should be filtered. I drink it every day and it is drinkable. Further more, companies like EJ use primarily surface water like lakes and rivers for their water source which requires much, much more treatment than does well water, which the city uses.May 15 2023
Scott Robinson - Administrator
There is NOTHING wrong with our water as it leaves the treatment plant . Our water is tested daily and we ,the city have to keep in compliance with EPA standards . The problem is our 100+ year old infrastructure. The city’s ROINC, Responsible Operator in Charge is Adam Fox with Benton & Assc. would be happy to answer questions or concerns City Hall can get you in contact with AdamMay 19 2023
Scott Robinson - Administrator
Thank you for your response.May 19 2023
Comment Added
Shout Posted by: Scott Robinson - Administrator
It's been sitting vacant. May 10 2023
0
0
Add a Comment
Scott Robinson - Administrator
I don't get why someone would buy the building from the pharmacy owner and do nothing with it. According to the tax records, the Gollons sold the building to Charles Grimes and Trisha Bourke (yes, it specifies two names on the deed) for $15,750 in July 2021.This July will be two years that the building has been left empty. And they're spending roughly $1,072 a year in commercial property taxes just to do nothing with the building?
There were rumblings going around town in October 2022 that a marijuana dispensary could be going in there. Nothing new since then, and the building remains empty.
This is just another example of valuable commercial real estate being allowed to languish and fall into disrepair. The real estate prices don't help either. For example, the former IGA was initially put on the market by the current owners for roughly $100,000, even though there wasn't much work done on the upstairs. It has since fallen to $67,500, $2,500 more than the price they bought it from the Steeles. The assessed value of the building is $22,430, so what's with the excessively priced real estate market (because it's not just commercial, it's residential as well)?
What about that lone lot what has a concrete foundation next to Trendz, but no development is being allowed by its owner? A family trust established by Eugene and Mary Ann Johnson owns that property, and its main trustee lives in Edwardsville, or at least that's where the tax bill goes. Yet another economic development opportunity missed because the owner lives 90 minutes away.
May 15 2023
Scott Robinson - Administrator
It absolutely makes me sick that someone would buy a building and do nothing with it. We need our downtown to thrive again but won’t happen because these buildings that are sitting empty are slowly falling apart because the owners won’t step up and do something! Our downtown has so much potential being right on Route 16, so much traffic goes through everyday but no one stops because there isn’t anything to stop for!May 27 2023
Scott Robinson - Administrator
The city council has the power to fix this. There are thousands of dollars available that WE HAVE ALL PAID in additional taxes since 2017 but there's absolutely no plan or roadmap to help improve the city infrastructure, help existing businesses, or encourage new businesses to open in Nokomis.Building owners can't afford to do much if there's no business to bring in revenue.
May 27 2023
Comment Added
Shout Posted by: Scott Robinson - Administrator
What is the current situation with Subway? Google states its status as "temporarily closed" but the building itself has been up for sale for a while, listed for $115,000 through The Real Estate Group out of Springfield. However, the conditions of its sale also requires that the Subway franchise remains as the tenant. May 09 2023
0
0
Add a Comment
Jake Leonard
So, I digged into this matter a bit further. I spoke to the current franchisee that owned the Nokomis location, as well as the other two locations whose buildings are on the market last week in Virden.When they acquired those locations from a previous franchisee, they had signed a seven-year lease agreement with the building owner. The building in Virden where Subway is had just picked up a neighboring business next door in February. Can't remember what kind of food they serve, but I know at one time it was a Chinese restaurant.
At the time these buildings were put up for sale, the Nokomis location still had five years left on its existing lease, meaning it will be transferrable to the new building owner unless they opt to terminate the lease and give the franchise a 90-day notice to vacate as required by law. That would also apply to the Virden and Virginia franchise locations as well.
I don't see how terminating a lease would benefit the new owner though. Who in their right mind would say no to five years of guaranteed income through an existing lease that will be transferred to him (or her) upon the finalized sale of the property? If I was in such a situation, I'd certainly continue to honor the lease, take the money, and continue to improve on the property, whether it was requested or not.
In fact, I think it would be nice if the Nokomis location would have more seating, which means they would have to improve the building by adding an extension to the building to allow more seating.
May 15 2023
Shout Posted by: Scott Robinson - Administrator
We have two seats that were left unelected in last month's consolidated election. I was told that the positions were already filled. The Illinois Election Code states that any vacant positions cannot be filled until the first meeting following the certification of election results, which would have been 5/8/2023. Meaning that if they filled those empty positions last month, they are in violation of not only the Open Meetings Act, but also in violation of the Illinois Election Code. May 08 2023
0
0
Add a Comment
Comment Added
Shout Posted by: Scott Robinson - Administrator
Has there been an announcement when is the Library Moving? May 07 2023
0
0
Add a Comment
Jake Leonard
Sometime this summer, but that depends on how soon they can get the former Masonic Building retrofit for the shelving. There have been several people around the building working on it the past few months. But as far as an exact date, no one really knows.May 08 2023
Jake Leonard
A relatively good thing has been that all of the labor has been relatively local, at least according to an article in today's Journal-News:Architecture: Lipe Architecture, Nokomis
Electrical Work/Lighting: Easterday Electrical, Nokomis
HVAC: C
May 15 2023
Comment Added
Shout Posted by: Scott Robinson - Administrator
The city council had done a great job over the years on most day to day operation decisions. The problem has been some of the major important decisions where they fell short - like not supporting the recent Save A Lot grocery store opportunity. We would have had a real grocery store instead of another Dollar General if the city council would have been more forward-thinking. May 01 2023
3
0
Add a Comment
NokomisHopefulSkeptic
People were jockeying so much for Ruler Foods after the store closed. Spoiler alert: Kroger owns them, and Nokomis cannot afford to get screwed over by the Kroger Company again.We have two options:
1) We bring back the neighborhood grocery stores that existed prior to Kroger coming into town, with whatever the Clavins have planned with the former Mexican restaurant beginning such a movement.
2) If Capri IGA won't come here, then perhaps we need to recruit another IGA chain to come to Nokomis. There is a chain of IGA stores, Kirby Foods, that has interest in expanding further west to our area. They have locations across western Indiana and east central Illinois, including stores in Sullivan and Tuscola. Kirby Foods is exclusively owned by the employees and they are the ones making the decisions. They backed the new store that they built in Tuscola and they've shown support for further expansion.
From Kirby Foods' website:
Kirby Foods started as a family business in 1969 when Jerry Scribner purchased his first grocery store on Kirby Ave. in Champaign, Illinois. Through the years, Kirby Foods has grown to include 13 IGA stores and 4 Save A Lot stores in Illinois and Indiana. To ensure a continuation of the company’s strong history, Kirby Foods became 100% employee owned in 2009.
The employee owners of Kirby Foods are proud to serve our communities and will always provide outstanding customer service in a friendly environment. Each team member plays a key role in ensuring that we are exceeding the expectations of our customers on a daily basis.
Our customers are the reason we are here and we are dedicated to offering you the highest quality products and many “one of a kind” items you can’t find anywhere else.
So, maybe Save A Lot could still be an option, even if Tim Christer isn't interested.
May 08 2023
Shout Posted by: Scott Robinson - Administrator
I'd like to see the city owned alley by Demi's Diner repaved and redesigned. I've tripped a couple of times over the water drain. There could be some nice benches added, etc. It has some possibilities. April 26 2023
3
0
Add a Comment
Comment Added
Shout Posted by: Scott Robinson - Administrator
We need a new website for the city and the city council. Looks horrible! April 26 2023
2
0
Add a Comment
Scott Robinson - Administrator
This city has an excellent city website model. All city communication is provided - including details on city council meetings:https://www.sjcity.com/citycommission
May 01 2023
Jake Leonard
Without a doubt. And there are so many technically-inclined people in this community capable of creating such a website. They're just not given a chance.To add on to the previous comment, I've seen some good municipal websites:
https://www.troyil.us/
https://www.highlandil.gov/
All it takes is someone's time to update things and a very small investment. Because social media doesn't have the reach that the City claims it has.
May 08 2023
Jake Leonard
To add on to that, our city council meetings should also be livestreamed.May 08 2023
Comment Added
Shout Posted by: Scott Robinson - Administrator
How much did the new water lines cost? Where did the money for the project come from? What are the details? April 26 2023
3
0
Add a Comment
Scott Robinson - Administrator
I'd like to know too.April 26 2023
Scott Robinson - Administrator
Did any of the money come from the Downtown Improvement Grant Money? Were there other grants involved?May 10 2023
Scott Robinson - Administrator
I'm glad to see the progress!May 10 2023
Scott Robinson - Administrator
Can a city council member chime in on this?May 13 2023
Mayor Dylan Goldsmith
I don't have all the exact numbers since a lot of this took place before I took office. The initial estimation of cost of the project was approximately 3.2 million. Since that initial cost estimate, through the engineering company that engineered the work, the city has received over 2.2 million in loan forgiveness. This brings the total cost to around a million for the project, which currently sits under budget.May 13 2023
Scott Robinson - Administrator
Thank you for that information.May 14 2023