Over the past few months, there has been much discussion regarding Hillsboro’s supposed “ban” of the American flag.  Unfortunately, there has been a significant amount of misunderstanding and much misinformation about the issue.  

 

Although there have been letters written to this newspaper, as well as social media posts clearly stating that the City of Hillsboro adopted an ordinance resulting in a ban of the American flag, there was no such ordinance.  On March 18, 2025, the Hillsboro City Council passed a resolution approving updated agreements for Sherwood Forest Campground and Lake Glenn Shoals.  In those agreements, there was a provision that the person signing would comply with all rules and regulations established by the City of Hillsboro, and those rules and regulations were also approved as a part of this same resolution.  Among other things, the rules and regulations prohibited signs, banners, and flags on all our licensed campsites and lake lots. This resolution was passed unanimously 5-0.

 

Questions have been raised about whether each city council member was fully informed before we voted to approve the resolution.  The minutes of our meeting clearly reflect that approval of the resolution would result in all signage, banners, and flags being prohibited on lake lots and campsites.  Commissioner Butler further explained that the United States Flag and our state flag would continue to be flown on our flagpole at Sherwood Forest Campground.  Therefore, it is unclear what additional information any of us on the city council might have needed before voting on the issue.

It was very apparent to all of us that the consequences may not be popular, and much of the criticism that we have received was highly anticipated.

 

In addition, there are those who have publicly questioned the legal advice which we were provided before approving the resolution.  Our legal counsel has consistently demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism and has always provided timely, accurate, and objective advice based on the law, the available facts, and the goals that we have sought to achieve.  As mayor, I routinely work closely with our attorney, and time and time again our attorney has offered clear, thorough, and impartial guidance – not based on my own personal beliefs or on public opinion, but rooted in constitutional principles, statutes, and court precedent.  He and his firm have consistently summarized a range of available opinions, informing us about the strengths and weaknesses of those options, and left it to us to weigh the pros and cons before making our decisions on the policy that we are to adopt or follow.  This situation was in fact no different.

 

Let me be clear: the correspondence that we were provided with on this issue was not only sound, but it helped us navigate a complex issue with the primary goal of insulating the City of Hillsboro from potential litigation in a court of law. Since our vote, I have personally spoken with other attorneys, and without exception, they have each affirmed that the advice we received was sound and responsible.

 

Before the resolution was approved, our attorney predicted that there would be focus placed on the American flag.  I appreciate the time that people have taken to come speak at our meetings and the interest that others have taken on the issue.  We should expect disagreements on issues, as well as some self-doubt after making decisions, however, we should also expect integrity, especially when it comes to how we resolve issues while working for our constituents.

 

While knowing that the “all or none” approach that we took would be highly unpopular, and that this would fulfill our primary obligation to protect the City and its taxpayers from legal liability, while we have been conscious of the fact that legal defensibility is only one part of the equation. Commissioner Butler and I have indicated at every council meeting since the resolution was approved, we have continually been exploring different options with the goal of finding a more balanced approach that addresses our legal obligations while taking into consideration the values of being a good neighbor and the priorities of our community.  That effort has not been reactive; it has been ongoing and began well before the resolution was approved on March 18th.

 

With these things in mind, an ordinance was created and passed during our last meeting on Tuesday June 17th, which presented us with the opportunity to revisit an all-out prohibition on signs, banners, and flags at the campground and lake lots.  Commissioner Butler has been working nonstop with our city attorney to provide the city council with an alternate solution before Memorial Day & now before our nations Birthday. The ordinance addresses all public property in a way that we believe aligns with our individual beliefs and the community’s.

 

Although this solution does not offer quite the same legal certainty as what we implemented in March, it will, however, for the most part, achieve the outcome which we had originally set out to accomplish.  The removal of all political signs, banners and flags that express obscene, profane, and vulgarity of any kind.  Thus, promoting the aesthetic, peaceful, beauty of our Lake & Campground. 

I am optimistic about the new direction that we have taken with this ordinance and very grateful to our legal counsel for helping us navigate these difficult issues with a high level of professionalism and care.

 

We are again aware that this new direction may not be the most appealing to everyone who chooses to be a license holder at our campground sights or lake lots at Lake Glenn Shoals.  However, it is our hope that these license holders will choose to follow these new guidelines and be good neighbors while enjoying our beautiful settings.  If this latest attempt does not pan out, we would more than likely revert to the resolution set in March.

Sincere regards,  

Don E Downs 

Mayor, City of Hillsboro

The Litchfield City Council believes a new firearms related factory is worth a shot.  They approved two measures intended to pave the way for National Primers to come to the West Side Industrial Park.   They signed onto a development agreement and retail sales contract with National. Don Mildrum, the CEO of National Primers LLC, explained the company’s supply and demand sense of urgency is leading them to address the increasing demand for primer.

• Phase I will break ground by the end of 2025. With a $57 million investment, this phase will create at least 85 jobs, and the facility is expected to be fully operational by summer of 2028. • Phase II, an expansion of the plant or a complementary line of business, will add $70 million in additional investment and at least 75 more jobs, with operations beginning no later than summer of 2032.  Mayor Jacob Fleming said  “This is a tremendous win for our city and the broader region,”  “The location within the I-55 Commerce Center is ideal for industrial growth, and this project is a direct result of strategic investment and collaboration. We are especially grateful for the support of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Ameren Illinois, Montgomery County, and the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) — their efforts have helped make this vision a reality.

Witt Veterans Memorial Committee is excited to announce the stones are set next to City Hall!  They will be having the dedication ceremony July 4th at 10am. Witt Lions Club will be serving biscuits and gravy uptown from 8-9:30 prior to the service, the Witt Museum will also be open from 8-10 and after the service. Envision Witt will serve cookies and water after the service as well. All are welcome to attend!

At 7:15 am on Monday, June 9th, the Litchfield Fire Department responded to a report of smoke coming from an outlet at the McDonald’s restaurant located at 2 Ohren Lane. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a small fire that had developed within the wall of the structure.
Crews quickly went to work using hand tools to expose the void spaces in the wall and located the source of the fire. Utilizing Air Pressurized Water Extinguishers (APW), firefighters effectively extinguished the fire before it could spread to other areas of the building.
An investigation determined that the fire was accidental in nature and originated from an external heat source. A pressure washer, placed too close to the building, allowed excessive heat from its exhaust to enter a wall void. This heat ignited building materials, causing the fire to smolder behind the
exterior surface. Thanks to the fast response and precise action by fire crews, damage was minimized and operations at the restaurant were able to resume following safety inspections. No injuries were reported.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining safe clearances between heat- producing equipment and structures. The Litchfield Fire Department encourages all businesses andcontractors to be mindful of potential ignition hazards during routine maintenance or cleaning.

There is a large chunk of this audience that doesn’t need to be told the role of primer in firearms.  It’s the component that provides the spark that ignites the gun powder and sends the ammo on its high speed journey out of the barrel. Well it’s only fitting that the newest spark for the Litchfield economy is a potential jobs maker that engages in producing just that.  City Attorney Michael McGinley discussed a proposal last night.   National Primers revealed they’d like to build a State of the Art primer manufacturing facility that would cost $57,000,000 to build with 85 full time jobs created by the first wave of construction.  The long term plan calls for two buildings, a manufacturing facility and another for research and development.  The company hopes to break ground in October and be operational within two years.  They say the need for such a facility is significant because of a worldwide shortage of primers and lab space.  The facility would be the second largest of its kind in the country.  With expansion, 70 to 150 jobs could be created.  That could happen as early as 2032.  200 acres of land in the West Side industrial park near the State Police headquarters would be purchased at a cost of $2500 an acre.  National Primers requests Enterprise Zone status for sales tax exemptions and property tax abatement.    

 

There’s a statement from Mayor Jacob Fleming.   “The City of Litchfield is excited about the potential of welcoming National Primers to the community. The company’s CEO, Don Mildrum, will be present at the June 19 City Council meeting to share more details about their proposal with the public. The Council will consider a development agreement with them at the same meeting. There is a lot of work to do in order to get to the finish line, but we are encouraged by the capital investment and jobs they’d bring to Litchfield.” 

The Litchfield Police Department has recently added a full-time Ordinance Enforcement Officer. Officer Shane Grammer was appointed to this position and will be working alongside their Building and Zoning Department to work towards compliance with our Code of Ordinances.  

Officer Grammer will begin these duties this summer.  

Our Code of Ordinances can be found at  

https://library.municode.com/il/litchfield/codes/code of ordinances  

The City of Litchfield will work with citizens and property owners to maintain City standards. Officer Grammer will respond to complaints regarding Ordinance Violations and will proactively patrol the City to identify properties in need of maintenance or upkeep.  

Officer Grammer will work with the Building and Zoning Department in regard to commercial and private properties and will assist the City in its' continued work with demolition and improvement grant opportunities.  

The City will utilize in-person and written correspondences to notify residents/owners of Ordinance Violations and will seek compliance from the property owner to mitigate any violations. Ordinance citations will be issued after efforts toward compliance have failed.  

To report violations of City Ordinances you may contact the Police Department to speak directly to Officer Grammer, or leave him a message, at 217-324-8159.  

You may also report these violations through the 'Report A Concern' link on their website found here  

https://www.cityoflitchfieldil.com/RequestTracker.aspx  

– State Representative Wayne Rosenthal (R-Morrisonville) released the
following statement on passage of the FY 2026 budget bill (SB 2510) late Saturday night:
“I could not support the FY26 budget that spends more than $55.2 billion, an increase of nearly $2 billion over last year and a staggering 38% jump since Governor Pritzker took office. Over the past six years, state spending has grown by more than $15 billion. That means a bigger government, higher taxes, and greater burdens on Illinois taxpayers.
“As the Minority Spokesperson for the Transportation: Vehicles and Safety Committee, I am particularly concerned about the continued practice of reallocating money from the Road Fund and other dedicated funds to support programs unrelated to their original purpose. I do not think that is right and no one should. 
“In my role as the Republican Spokesperson on the State Government Administration Committee, I believe our focus should be on ensuring efficiency, accountability, and prioritizing core services such as support for veterans, seniors, and those most in need. We must remain mindful of what we can, responsibly, afford while planning for the future. 
“Additionally, the budget includes a $7,000 pay raise for legislators. That’s unacceptable at a time when working families are struggling.  I believe this sends the wrong message. Instead of increasing salaries for lawmakers, we should be focused on fiscal discipline and leading by example.”