The Village of West Salem’s Board met on Monday, February 23, 2026 at 6:30 PM. Highlights from the meeting include:
- West Salem Mayor Jeff Bradham shared that Champion Laboratories in Albion announced their closing that morning (2/23/26). State Representative Dave Severin was at Village Hall while the situation was unfolding. He was in West Salem because he had a scheduled ‘Traveling Office Hours’ event for that day. The Mayor shared that Representative Severin was on the phone with State Senator Bryant and Congressman Bost’s offices, as well as others working to address the situation. The Mayor estimates that at least twelve families in West Salem will be directly impacted by the closure.
- The Board approved a Resolution authorizing the selling of the Village owned property at 105 S. Broadway in West Salem. They set a minimum bid amount of $1,500, and a requirement that the unoccupied derelict house be torn down within 120 days of closing. The Village will be accepting bids until April 6, 2026.
- The Mayor informed the Board that the Edwards County’s 9-1-1 Board is moving their communication system to a digital platform. The upgrade will involve placing some equipment on the Water Tower. More information, and an Intergovernmental Agreement to allow the 9-1-1 Board permission to use the Village’s water tower will be presented to the Board at a later date.
- West Salem’s popular Freedom Festival is scheduled for June 27 -28, 2026. This year’s festivities will include a parade.
- The Village has been selected to be a recipient of the Illinois Extension 4 H Savanah Oak Tree Program. They will be providing and planting 25 Oak Trees at Four Corners Park in West Salem later this Spring.
- The Board approved a $3,414.20 TIF payment to Jameet Enterprises (Country Spirits), as determined by a TIF Agreement which was signed in 2020. They also approved extending the time that the Lumberyard Restaurant has to complete the projects outlined in their TIF agreement which was signed in 2025.
- The Board approved setting bulk water rates for the village as $15.00 + $0.01 per gallon for residents, and $15.00 + $0.015 for non-residents.
- The Board approved a Resolution for the West Salem Fireman’s Annual Pork Chop Supper. The Supper will be on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at the Fire House in West Salem.
- The Board approved a Resolution for the West Salem PTO Dinner and Auction Fundraiser. The Dinner and Auction will be held on Friday, May 1, 2026 at the Fire House in West Salem.
Updates and Announcement from the Village of West Salem can be found on their website at westsalemil.com. The next regularly scheduled Village Board Meeting will be Monday, March 23, 2026 at 6:30 PM. All Village Board meetings are open to the public. The West Salem Village Board meets at Village Hall which is located at 106 E. South Street, West Salem, IL.