Princeton City Council

The April 2025 ballot is starting to take shape in the Illinois Valley. Here is who filed in La Salle, Mendota, Oglesby, Peru, Princeton, Spring Valley, Streator and Utica.

Construction at the downtown intersection of Main and Peru streets in Princeton will wait to spring.

Princeton residents who make their way around town on non-highway vehicles, such as UTVs and golf carts, are one step closer to getting a route to Sullivan’s Foods and Walmart.

Starbucks gave a sign to Princeton residents it is moving forward with the development of a new store at Main Street and Backbone Road in the most literal sense – the Plan Commission recommended approval of a variance for the chain to build a 70-foot sign.

Habitat for Humanity La Salle-Bureau-Putnam Counties has selected a family for a new Princeton home and hopes to break ground in the spring.

Princeton Mayor Ray Mabry and Zoning/Planning administrator Michael Zearing took a trip to Columbus, Ohio to take part in the American in Bloom’s annual conference.

The Princeton City Council reached a consensus Monday that would allow non-highway vehicles, such as UTVs and golf carts, a route to Sullivan Foods and Walmart.

The city of Princeton received a gift from a group of bicycle riders that stayed overnight Sept. 27 at Princeton High School during their annual Gold Star 500 ride across the state.

When a Princeton woman lost her wedding ring Sept. 8 at the Homestead Festival parade, she was cautiously optimistic the city’s streets and sewer department could find it.

Princeton Mayor Ray Mabry referred to areas with no sidewalks north of the Beck’s gas station on Route 26 as the “missing links.”

If you hear bells at 4 p.m. Tuesday, it may be a display of patriotism, commemorating the signing of the Constitution in 1787.

An Aldi grocery store and Starbucks could be coming to Princeton after the Princeton City Council gave the green light Tuesday to the new Michael’s Plaza development at the corner of Backbone Road and Main Street.

Princeton City Manager Theresa Wittenauer updated the Princeton City Council on Monday of construction projects throughout the city.

The average Princeton water bill will increase about $3 per month under a new proposal.

The city of Princeton sold a surplus property and helped a local business in the process.

There won’t be a ban on electronic messaging signs on Princeton’s Main Street.

The Princeton City Council may consider a recommendation banning electronic messaging signs on Main Street from the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe tracks to Boyd Avenue at a future meeting, but the council wants input from businesses that utilize them before taking any action.

The Princeton City Council approved the authorization Monday to sell a retired ambulance. The 2012 Ford E450 was replaced by a new ambulance that took its maiden voyage May 29.

The Princeton Rotary Club recently distributed $15,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors at Princeton High School.

Princeton has run out of recycling totes. The city is taking orders to distribute the next round of them when they come in.

Princeton City Manager Theresa Wittenauer said when the city instituted a non-highway vehicle registration program the proceeds would go to the Princeton High School Booster Club.

Janet Henning was sworn in Monday as Princeton’s new city clerk, succeeding Pete Nelson.

Princeton mailer carriers and volunteers will be collecting nonperishable food items Saturday from residents as part of the Stamp Out Hunter initiative.

Improvements to the Darius Miller Rail Campus and Parking Lot in Princeton are set for this summer, some time shortly after the ShrimpFest & Brew Hullabaloo on June 1 in nearby Rotary Park.

Princeton City Manager Theresa Wittenauer addressed some frequently asked questions Monday about the new garbage totes being delivered starting Monday, April 29.

May 6 is anticipated to be the inaugural route for Princeton’s new garbage truck.

The Princeton City Council agreed Monday to give the Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce $33,000 in its 2024-2025 budget, including $8,000 for the Independence Day fireworks.

The Princeton City Council authorized Tuesday the sale of a 7,200 square foot, former residential property at 717 N. Euclid Ave.

Princeton swore in its newest police sergeant Tuesday.

Aaron Christiansen was appointed to succeed Quint Quiram as Princeton street and sanitation superintendent. The City Council honored Quiram on Monday and congratulated Christiansen.

Princeton Fire Lt. Eli VanAutreve was sworn-in to his new post Monday night.

The Princeton Electric Department hopes to finish construction of a storage building in 2024.

Princeton has about one-third of its new smart water meters installed in residences.

After a two-year wait, two new Princeton garbage trucks are expected to be delivered to the city by the end of March.

The Princeton City Council heard Tuesday from neighbors regarding a nuisance house on the 500 block of North Chestnut Street.

Princeton Police Chief Tom Kammerer said Monday he is working with the Princeton Ministerial Association and other community officials to set up shelter and some resources for the homeless.

The city of Princeton is projecting a decrease in its property tax rate but that will not mean a savings on most property tax bills because of increased assessed values.

For those who had a good time Friday at Princeton’s inaugural lighted Christmas parade, there was good news shared at Monday’s City Council meeting – the parade will return in 2024.

The city estimated the total cost of safe demolition of the home, including asbestos removal in the basement, would cost the city between $22,000 and $25,000. The property at about 7,200 square feet has been appraised at a value of $16,000.

On Monday, Princeton City Council unanimously awarded at $449,860 bid to Key Builders Construction Inc. to construct an electric generation storage building.

On Monday, Princeton Mayor Ray Mabry signed a letter of support toward a potential Illinois Municipal Electric Agency solar project that would be located at the Princeton Transfer Station on Peggy Lane.

The real estate in question, located at 717 N. Euclid Ave., is approximately 7,200 square feet and holds a vacant, deteriorated house on the lot. The property has been appraised at the value of $16,000.

Princeton City Manager Theresa Wittenauer will remain in her position after the City Council unanimously approved to renew her contract with the city during its Oct. 2 regular meeting.

During Monday’s meeting, the Princeton City Council approved the sale of the building located at 526 Bureau Valley Parkway, commonly known as Perry Plaza, to Arukah Institute of Healing in the amount of $440,000.

Representatives from Flags of Freedom spoke Tuesday during the “Positively Princeton” portion of the Princeton City Council meeting. During the presentation, the the group presented two “Governor’s Hometown Awards” to the council to be display in city hall.

On Tuesday, Members of the Princeton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution joined the Princeton City Council in the passing of a proclamation to commemorate Constitution Week.

On Monday, the Princeton City Council approved a resolution authorizing the sharing of costs between the city and the Illinois Department of Transportation for repairs needed at the intersection of Main and Peru streets.

Princeton’s non-highway vehicle ordinance, that was passed on June 5, officially went into effect as of Aug. 1. Now, one week under the new rules, Princeton officials have reported no issues while still seeing limited use.

Those hoping to soon cruise around Princeton in non-highway vehicles, such as golf carts and UTVS, received good news on Monday as the city council sent an ordinance amending the city motor vehicle code to a second reading.

Monday’s city council meeting featured a new face at the front of the room, as Mayor Ray Mabry was officially sworn in to take over the seat vacated by two-term Mayor Joel Quiram.