Henderson County Board

Henderson County to Join Public Transit Network

Board also approves US 34 zoning changes and receives large-scale wind project update

By: Andrew Postle, The Quill

The Henderson County Board convened on Tuesday, June 9, at 8:30 a.m. for its regular meeting at the Henderson County Courthouse in Oquawka. Present were Jon Corzatt, Brad Flatt, Kim Gullberg, Bill Knupp, Kurt McChesney, Sean Meyer, Deborah Pflasterer, and Janet Stubbs. Richard Bigger and Dan Jack were absent, and Patty Daniels arrived late.

The board quickly approved the minutes, claims paid, health department claims report, and meeting minutes, as well as a resolution for the engineering agreement for the Lone Tree Ditch bridge replacement on County Highway 15.

Morgan Lewis provided an update from Western Community Public Transportation on providing service into Henderson County. Service will begin in July and will include daily loops to Burlington. 

They are looking for office space in Biggsville to be more centrally located as service begins in Henderson County. They are also planning to launch a new website, ridewcpt.org, to have all rider information in one location.

She also noted that on Monday, June 22, there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony at The Barn at Fairview Acres at 11 a.m., as Henderson County will become the last of Illinois’ 102 counties to provide public transportation.

Cindy Brown reported on the zoning appeals meeting for Rick Olson’s property along US 34. She requested that the board consider changing the zone from agriculture to a highway business district, allow a variance for a one-acre shortage (as a highway business district needs to be 5 acres and Olson’s property is just over 4), and allow billboards in highway business districts. The board unanimously approved all three requests.

Jon Corzatt gave an update on the potential wind project in the southern and eastern sections of the county. He believes the developers have identified a 50,000-acre project area that they will focus on in and around Raritan Township. 

The 120 new turbines the company wants to install will be larger than the 60 nearby in McDonough County and will require a 60-by-30-foot rectangle of concrete to be buried in the ground. He noted that the company did not believe Henderson County had a wind ordinance, but it was confirmed that wind energy is included in the solar ordinance. 

State’s Attorney Kristen Petrie said the current ordinance is quite comprehensive and that she is reviewing and fine-tuning it. One of the biggest concerns is the road usage agreement, which she and County Engineer Rick Walker will need to discuss. Corzatt also mentioned that, in conversations with the company, they plan to sell their interest in the project before construction of the turbines even begins.

The board approved the May report from the county treasurer.

The board approved the reappointment of Dan Peasley and Loren Reed to the Henderson County Health Board for three-year terms. 

Norman Menzenberg was reappointed to the Henderson County Zoning Board for a five-year term. 

The board accepted the resignations of Michael Olson and Danielle Defenbaugh from the Henderson County Zoning Board and appointed Mike Swisher to replace Defenbaugh.

Matt Roth and Brad Russell were reappointed as Drainage Ditch #1 and #2 Commissioners, respectively, for three-year terms.

The board unanimously approved the Fiscal Year 2025 audit and approved the audit proposal from the lowest bidder for 2026, 2027, and 2028.

A short discussion was held on some property along US 34 that IDOT owns. The board concluded that the county was not interested in the 2–3 acres for $55,000, and IDOT will put the property up for auction.

The board discussed the courthouse columns and the possibility that they will need to be repaired. More investigation into their condition will be conducted.

There was no new movement on the county ambulance situation, as Oquawka remains out of service.

The meeting adjourned shortly after 9:15 a.m. The next Henderson County Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, at 8:30 a.m. at the Henderson County Courthouse.