Mayor Dreith News Today

A reminder that petitions for the Consolidated Election to be held on April 4, 2023 are currently available in the office of City Clerk Tina Hutchcraft. Office hours are 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. A Mayor will be elected for a two-year term to fill the unexpired term of Mayor Dreith and one alderman from each of the City's four wards will be elected for a four-year term. Petition circulation began September 20. Filing period for those petitions is December 12 – D...

Fairfield Water Dept employees will be flushing hydrants throughout the city through Friday, October 7. This is done each spring and fall to test the hydrants and help keep your water supply clean and pure. The City of Fairfield is required by ILL EPA to inform residents of the possible lead content in the water supply during hydrant flushing. While flushing the hydrants, you may notice that your water may be temporarily discolored. While flushing occurs, you may also experience a dip in water p...

Fairfield Police are investigating a stolen municipal vehicle from the Fairfield Waste Treatment Facility on 09/28/22. The vehicle has been recovered. Officers have identified the juvenile suspects and the investigation is continuing with charges pending. If you have any information regarding crimes, please contact the Wayne County Crime Stoppers phone or text at (618) 842-9777. Your tip could be worth a cash reward. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Completed artw...

Petitions for the Consolidated Election to be held on April 4, 2023, for the election of Mayor (two-year term), First Ward Alderman, Second Ward Alderman, Third Ward Alderman, and Fourth Ward Alderman will be available in the office of City Clerk Tina Hutchcraft beginning Tuesday, September 20. Office hours are 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. A Mayor will be elected for a two-year term to fill the unexpired term of Mayor Dreith and one alderman from each of the City's f...

Fairfield officials have detailed the procedure for filling a vacant mayoral seat following the tragic and unexpected death of Mike Dreith on May 30th. Aldermen have called for a special meeting to appoint an acting mayor tomorrow. At the special meeting, aldermen will nominate one of their number to serve as acting mayor until the election this coming spring. In Spring 2023, an individual will be elected to serve a two-year term to fill the remainder of Mayor Dreith's intended time in offi...

The Fairfield City Council will meet tonight at 6 at City Hall. Aldermen are anticipated to award a bid for the new water tower in Fairfield. According to Mayor Mike Dreith, the city has received a bid at a slightly higher cost than was originally anticipated. He says the City has been told the construction could be finished in about a year. With transfers, resignations, and terminations in recent months, the Fairfield Police Department is short-staffed at present. Trainees are in the academy no...

The Fairfield Public School District 112 Board of Education met last night and voted to employ Josh Kissen as Center Street Principal. Kissen currently teaches sixth grade math at Red Hill; he will take over at Center Street, and current Principal April Smith will move to Principal at North Side, effective July 1st. Current North Side Principal Kristina Gardner was previously hired as the district superintendent to replace Interim Superintendent Diana Zurliene. 26-year-old Brodey I. Murbarger is...

The Fairfield City Council met last night. The council again visited the controversial Fairfield Business District Tax Implementation and after a lengthy discussion, the matter passed with Mayor Dreith casting the tie breaking yes vote. The council also unanimously voted to sell 40 acres south of town to the Fairfield Industrial Trust for $120,000. Alderman unanimously approved a 3-year contract with the IBEW. Details of the new contract include a $1.25 per hour salary increase the first year, ....

The Fairfield City Council met last night and tabled the vote on a potential business district. Another vote will be scheduled in June, within 90 days of the public hearing held on the matter before the March 8th council meeting. With the delay, should the district be approved later this year, the one-percent sales tax increase wouldn't take effect until next year. Alderman Tyler Lampley initially motioned to vote on the matter last night, but that motion died for lack of a second. Alderman...

The Fairfield City Council met last night and held a public hearing for a potential business district. The idea would increase sales taxes by one percent in its boundaries on most purchases. Downtown merchants Kristi Hornung, Nicole Jordan, Marjorie Jordan, and Mark Turner spoke in favor of the idea, saying the City needs to do something to bring in additional funds to help with building upkeep, bring in more small businesses, and enhance the downtown area. Gary Carter and Cindy Grimes spoke aga...