We’ve received concerns regarding a recent post about a suspected police impersonator in the Village of Tolono. This person has been identified as a private investigator who was conducting official business at the residence. For further information please visit https://www.wcia.com/local/sheriffs-office-identifies-man-seen-on-doorbell-camera/.
Tolono Info: We have received feedback requesting that weather alerts for warnings and watches be separated out to give more options for residents to choose what they are alerted on. Residents who have previously subscribed to “Weather Alerts” will still receive alerts for warnings without any additional steps needed. However, if you would like to receive alerts for watches and advisories that impact our area, please log into your smart911.com account and opt-in to the new “Weather Alerts – Watches” category. If you have not yet signed up for the Tolono Alert system, you can create your free account by going here: https://www.smart911.com/smart911/ref/reg.action?pa=tolonoil
If you have a tree or trees in the right of way that interfere with Ameren power lines or may be unsafe, please call the Village office at 217-485-5212. Our maintenance staff is currently creating a list of possible trees that Ameren will evaluate and possibly take down if close enough to their lines. If your tree does not interfere with power lines, but does pose a threat, our crew will come take a look at the trees, determine the severity and take down as time allows.
The Tolono Masonic Lodge #391 A.F. & A.M. welcomes everyone to attend breakfast. A family friendly place for food and fellowship. The Masonic Lodge is located at 102 E Main Street, Tolono, IL.
Breakfast hours are 8:00 AM-Noon on the fourth Sunday of the month except May and June. Dates are as follows:
The cost is $9 for adults, $5 for children (ages 5-12) and children under five are free.
The upcoming breakfast in March will help support The Giving Place (TGP). If you bring three or more items of food, adults can eat for $5 instead of the normal $9. Please check with The Giving Place (TGP) or see the next issue of the B.E.S.T. newsletter for needed food items.)
The May breakfast will support the Tolono Masonic Scholarship Fund.
The June breakfast is held on Fun Day, the last Saturday of the month. Breakfast has become one of the all time favorite events of the day.
There is no breakfast in December as it is a very busy month for Santa and his merry helpers!
Residents are invited to complete a short online survey regarding perceptions and ideas about certain potential hazards that may impact you and your community. The survey includes questions about preferred methods for reducing the risks and losses associated with these hazards.
The questionnaire should be completed by an adult, preferably the head of household.
Your responses to the survey will be valued as public input during the plan update process of the Champaign County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
This survey will be closed on March 16th, 2020.
To complete the survey, please use this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZLHB3LZ
Champaign County needs AT LEAST 507 more applicants. Applicants must go through a background check, so applying as soon as possible is important in order to be cleared prior to applicant selection which has already begun.
Getting an accurate count for the census is very important, particularly for small communities, as each resident NOT counted results in approximately $1,800 in federal funds LOST for your community that could have been used towards schools, roads, hospitals, etc.
If you would like to be a Census Taker, APPLY ONLINE at 2020census.gov/jobs
For assistance/questions, call the Area Census Office at 309-573-0422
The Village is not making everyone switch to Republic for trash service. There was a presentation at the Village Board meeting on January 21, 2020, by a representative from Republic as to how a Franchise Agreement would work. He spoke under the Public Comments portion of the meeting, like anyone else can. On Facebook, you can go back and watch the replay of the Board meetings.
If the Board started looking further into a Franchise Agreement, there would be a Public Hearing to gather the thoughts of the residents surrounding the matter before we would proceed. If we did proceed, we could not just call Republic and give them the contract. We would have to compose a bid document with everything we want in a contract, and companies would have to send in their bid for service.
If you have questions, we urge you to call the Village Hall or watch the February 4, 2020, Board meeting on Facebook live replay for clarification from the Board and not rely on what is being put out by other groups and social media.
Tolono residents who participate in the village’s Municipal Electric Aggregation program will see their electric rate drop from 4.88 cents per kilowatthour to 4.584 cents, a decrease of 6 percent, beginning with meter readings in April. The village won the new rate, submitted by Homefield Energy of Collinsville, in competitive bidding by four major electric suppliers. The new rate will continue through June 2022.
Homefield in February will send information to village residents and eligible small businesses about the program, including no-cost ways to opt out for those who wish not to participate. Enrollment is automatic, and eligible participants will not need to do anything to be enrolled. Residents who receive their electricity from other suppliers will not be enrolled. Ameren, which operates facilities to distribute electricity within the village, will also mail information to participating residents.
Village of Tolono Trustees implemented electric aggregation in November 2018 to provide a competitive choice in electric supply and prices to Tolono residents. Under the program the board adopted, residents are not obligated to participate. They can opt out at any time and at no cost by contacting the supplier.
Customers will continue to receive only one bill from Ameren, which will include the electricity, transmission, and other supply-related charges are in the new rate. Ameren will continue to handle calls related to billing and service problems.
Additional information may be obtained by visiting www.pluginillinois.org or by calling MidAmerican Energy at 1-800-342-3346 or Homefield Energy at 866-694-1262 toll free.
