A post from Mayor Murphy regarding the Sale of Cannabis in the Village of Tolono:
The Village of Tolono placed an advisory question on the November 3, 2020 ballot to gauge the opinion of Village residents, whether they would approve or disapprove of the sale of cannabis in the Village.
We have had a couple local business owners approach the Village Board to ask about opening a dispensary. The Village Board has discussed this subject over the course of several meetings (meeting agenda item “Discussion of Cannabis Sales in the Village” on 8/20/19, 9/3/19, 9/17/19, 10/1/19 and 10/15/19). On 2/25/20, the Board held a Special Meeting to discuss the sale of cannabis in the Village of Tolono and asked the public to join. Because the Board did not receive the input from the public we were looking for, the Board decided to put it to a vote so the public could weigh in on this large decision.
On 3/3/20 we added an agenda item to the regular meeting that read “Discussion/Approval of Ordinance 2020-O-5, an Ordinance Imposing a Tax on Cannabis.” The Board passed the ordinance so if cannabis sales passes, we would have a 3% sales tax in place.
On 8/6/20 the Board held a special meeting for the approval of resolution 2020-R-2: A Resolution Providing For The Submission To The Electors Of The Village Of Tolono Of Champaign County, A Certain Advisory Referendum Of Whether Recreational Cannabis Sales Should Be Permitted Within The Village of Tolono.
From the Champaign County Clerks site, this is how the question will look on the ballot:
Village of Tolono – Advisory Referendum on Recreational Cannabis Sales
(Instructions to voters: Fill in the oval opposite the word “yes” or “no” to indicate your choice.)
Question: Shall the Village of Tolono allow a recreational cannabis dispensary within the Village Limits?
Explanation: If residents would like to allow a dispensary within the Village of Tolono, vote yes. If residents do not want a dispensary within the Village of Tolono, vote no.
There is good and bad in every decision. Keep in mind that when making this decision there are many issues to think about. If the resolution passes, I am planning to add extra rules as to what is required with the Village’s license in addition to what the State of Illinois requires. Security is a huge issue, and I’m looking into a public safety fee to offset possible calls for service and extra patrol.
We encourage everyone in the Village of Tolono to vote and make their voice heard. If you have any questions or comments you can reach me at Rob.Murphy@tolonoil.us.
Due to citizen complaints made to the health department about local businesses because of their lack of enforcing the use of face masks and proper social distancing practices, investigators from the health department have been required to visit businesses to review the enforcement of these policies.
One of our Village businesses was found to be non-compliant and issued a formal warning. The Village wants to remind all businesses of the below rules and regulations put forth by the Department of Public Health and to ask that customers be patient and follow proper guidelines when visiting any Village business. Businesses have the right to refuse service to customers that do not comply.
Pursuant to the Department of Public Health Act, 20 LCS 2305, the Department of Public Health Power and Duties Law, 20 LCS 2310, and the Communicable Disease Code, 77 Ill. Admin. Code 690, the Department of Public Health adopted emergency regulations, 77 Ill. Admin Code 690.50, on August 7, 2020, to restrict and suppress COVID-19 as follows:
- Any business, service, facility or organization open to the public or employees shall require employees, customers, and other individuals on the premises who are over age two and able to medically tolerate a face covering to cover their nose and mouth with a face covering when on premises and unable to maintain at least a six-foot social distance. Businesses, services, facilities or organizations that offer food or beverages for in-person consumption may permit employees, customers, and other individuals to remove their face coverings while eating or drinking but must require face coverings at all other times. Businesses, services, facilities, or organizations that take reasonable efforts to require patrons and employees to wear a face covering shall be in compliance with this subsection. For retail businesses, reasonable efforts to comply with regard to customers shall be determined based on the totality of the circumstances and include, but are not limited to:
- Posting signage requiring face coverings to be worn on the premises.
- Providing face coverings to customers.
- Giving verbal warnings to customers to wear a face covering when on the premises.
- Requesting that customers leave the premises if not wearing a face covering.
NOTICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE VILLAGE OF TOLONO
Beginning September 22, 2020, you may begin circulating petitions for Village Board seats open in the April 6, 2021, Consolidated Election. The seats that will be open for election are the Village President and 4 Trustees. You may pick up information at the Village Hall, located at 507 W. Strong St., Tolono, IL 61880, beginning September 22, 2020, at 8:00AM.
The filing period will be December 14-21, 2020.
Street sweeping will be conducted Friday, September 4, 2020, weather permitting for all streets that were recently oil and chipped this year. This is a one-day event and may begin as early as 7:00AM. A regular street sweeper will be used in the process causing a minimal disturbance. Please remove vehicles from the edge of streets, close windows and doors and plan alternate routes to avoid these areas.
Streets affected are as follows:
- W Austin St from S Condit St to Dead End
- S Galloway St from W Austin to W Strong St
- S Whitehead St from W Austin to W Strong St
- S Cory St from W Austin to W Linden St
- W Strong St from S Cory St to N Pease St
- Pamela Dr
- Buel St
- W Holden St from N Condit St to West to Dead End
- Sharon St from N Condit St West to Dead End
- W Reynolds St from N Whitehead to N Watson St
- N Whitehead St from W Reynolds to W Vine St
- W Vine St from N Whitehead St and around corner to N Cory St
- N Watson St from W Reynolds to Parking Lot
- N Vorcey St from E Locust St around corner to Leda St
- Leda St from N Vorcey St to N Bourne St
- N Clifford St from Leda St around corner to N Bourne St
- E Maple St from Circle Drive to Dead End
- N East St from E Maple St to E Locust St