Dixon City Council

Dixon’s City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to ban sleeping and camping in public spaces on Monday in response to a U.S. Supreme Court decision that now allows cities to do so.

The Dixon City Council approved an ordinance Monday to instate a 1% grocery tax following Gov. JB Pritzker’s August legislation that will repeal the state’s grocery tax on Jan. 1, 2026.

The Dixon City Council on Oct. 21 approved the purchase of 65 acres to be developed into additional retail and housing. On Monday, the council approved the use of $1 million from the general fund and $500,000 from the community development fund to actually pay for it.

As KSB Hospital is partnering with OSF HealthCare and anticipating a full merger with the organization, the conditions of the Bethea deed must be dissolved through Lee County courts in order for the merger to happen.

What is now empty green space off Bloody Gulch Road, between the city’s Gateway development along South Galena Avenue near Interstate 88 and a neighborhood known as Overlook Gardens, will soon be a gathering space complete with a multi-use path, fishing piers and picnic areas.

Plans call for the property on Bloody Gulch Road to be developed for commercial retail and housing in the future, but for now it gives the city the opportunity to manage economic development and the ability to have land available for investors coming to the area.

The consolidated election set for April 1 will fill two four-year terms on the Dixon City Council.

Has Lee County always voted Republican? Why is it so hard for a local Democrat to get elected? To answer these questions, Shaw Local columnist Tom Wadsworth researched Lee County results for all 42 presidential elections from 2020 back to 1856 when the Republican Party began.

Once completed, the pathway would start south of the railroad tracks at the corner of Nachusa Avenue and Broadway Street. It would continue south until it reaches Bloody Gulch Road, where it would swing east and tie into the city’s Gateway development.

As voters gear up for November’s general election, potential candidates are making their decisions about whether to run in next April’s consolidated election that will fill city government seats.

The properties sit next to each other along the 800 block of Taylor Court, which will eventually become the entrance into the community that is being developed by Ted Hvarre of Hvarre Development LLC.

The city's membership with IPBC will take effect Jan. 1, 2025, and workers will remain on the same plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield. There will be no changes to employee benefits.

The city of Dixon has kicked off the first step in creating its new comprehensive plan, which will guide city leaders’ decisions for the next 20 years.

The Dixon City Council approved an ordinance this week that modifies city code and allows local enforcement of an ordinance prohibiting yard waste from being blown into city streets.

Sterling alderman: Rockford, Sycamore, Mt. Morris, Dixon, Rock Falls, and now Sterling are discussing creating the right incentives to stimulate a stagnant housing development market.

From 2009 to 2023, John Groshans dedicated many hours to the upkeep and beautification of Heritage Crossing.

City Council honors two firefighters and long-time Dixon police sergeant.

The actual work on the project is estimated to begin late winter or early spring.

Removing conditions will allow KSB, OSF to move forward with merger plans; resolution details financial conditions that led to merger.

Community Visioning Workshop scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 21.

The openings come as the terms of Councilman Chris Bishop and Councilman Dennis Considine end in April 2025.

The Dixon comprehensive plan will serve as the city’s official guide for land use and development for the next 20 years.

Dixon Sister Cities Association President Steve Caudillo used the term “framily” – a combination of friends and family – to describe the bonds formed between the citizens of Dixon and Herzberg.

The Dixon Sister Cities Association was scheduled to welcome 25 delegates from Dixon’s sister city of Herzberg/Elster, Germany, last week, but the global outage delayed flights for 14 of the delegates.

Illinois shoppers could have more money at the checkout lane in 2026 when the state eliminates its 1% grocery sales tax – if their local governments do not replace it. Dixon and Sterling are among those weighing their options.

Presentation is 7 p.m., July 22

Located at the far east end of Woodlawn Avenue, Hvarre Holdings LLC aims to bring life back to “a section of town that most people forgot about,” owner Ted Hvarre said.

The Dixon Sister Cities Association will welcome 25 delegates from Dixon’s sister city of Herzberg/Elster, Germany, for a week-long visit to celebrate the 25th anniversary of signing the sister city charter.

Ted Hvarre, of Hvarre Development LLC, on Thursday presented the commission with his plans for a new rental community known as Pirups Landing.

The project includes the construction of a new maintenance building, demolition of the old maintenance building, and the removal of old retaining walls and concrete structures that are scattered throughout the site. That land will then be redeveloped and sold as cemetery plots.

By painting bike posts around downtown Dixon to represent colorful superheroes, local artist Nora Reuter is creating art out of city necessities.

The board also appointed Jennifer Dallas, a member of the Republican Party, to serve as a board member representing District 4.

Up to this point, the city had not implemented any formal agreement for the operation of crop-dusting equipment at the airport.

Recovery coaches placed in Ogle and DeKalb counties through $150,000 in grants; potential mobile unit would reach out to rural communities.

Funds raised will be donated to Dixon in Bloom for the petunias that are displayed around town during the summer months; put toward the community gardens that the club plants and maintains; and donated to Beautify Dixon, for its various beautification projects.

With the installation of emergency poles, the city is wrapping up construction of the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program multi-use path that runs west along the Rock River.

Deputy Fire Chief David Lohse retired May 10.

The bulk of the work, which includes cleaning, repairing, painting and installation of new lighted letters, is scheduled during off-peak hours from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Ceremony celebrates construction of a new Fairfield Inn by Marriott.

Sgt. Christopher Scott was promoted on March 4 after seven years of service with the Dixon Police Department and 15 years of service overall. Sgt. Ryan West was promoted on May 18 after eight years of service with the department.

The Dixon High School Greenhouse is having a plant sale from 2-6 p.m. Friday, May 3, and from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday, May 4 and 5.

The Dixon City Council at its most recent meeting recognized David Boucher, who began his career with the department in July 2004 and retired Feb. 17.

The child abuse awareness event will feature local officials, survivors and advocates speaking about how the community can help prevent and identify child abuse and how to advocate for survivors.

City leaders are working alongside the Illinois Department of Transportation to pursue a grant that, if awarded, would help fund $32 million in road redesign projects.

A majority of council members Monday night said they did not want to approve adding another liquor license because doing so would mean the business could apply to the state for a gaming license.

The Dixon Rotary Club hosted its annual shrimp boil and chili bowl fundraiser March 9.

The City Council on Monday night approved a professional services agreement between Dixon and Houseal Lavigne Associates, a Chicago firm that will serve as a consultant providing technical and professional assistance in connection with the preparation of a comprehensive plan.

Dixon firefighter Owen Brooks is enrolled in the Illinois Fire Service Institute Basic Operations Firefighter/NFPA Firefighter I Blended course.

The housing rehabilitation program, in its early planning stages, would hinge on a pool of money that residents could apply for based on criteria that has yet to be set.

While none of the nonprofit allocations have become official yet – the council must take a formal vote on the budget – the dollar amounts that will be given to each organization are beginning to take shape.