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Mayor Andy Ezard speaks to a member of the Morgan County Republican Club.\u00a0Ezard gives a yearly speech to the club about what is going on\u00a0in Jacksonville.<\/p>\n
Bridgette Fox\/Journal-Courier<\/p>\n
Mayor Andy\u00a0Ezard updated various initiatives throughout city in a yearly address Tuesday to the Morgan County Republican Club.<\/p>\n
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Ezard, a Republican, gave a delivery that was distinctly bipartisan, focusing on issues in Jacksonville like homelessness, construction projects and other interests. He also defended his choices to work closely with Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, on issues like the Jacksonville Developmental Center or workforce housing.<\/p>\n
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“We’ve got a mayor that will work with Gov. Pritzker, that will help any way he can with the governor, that is a Democrat, because I know that’s the right thing to do for our city,” Ezard said. “It’s hard at times. I see some of the things he does and I don’t agree with it, but you know what? The times I’ve interacted with this governor, he’s been very kind to me, his staff have checked on things in Jacksonville.”<\/p>\n
Ezard said one thing he doesn’t like is the\u00a0Building Up Illinois Developments program from Pritzker.\u00a0It seeks to lower barriers to construction to increase housing across the state. Ezard was in meetings Wednesday with the Illinois Municipal League about the initiative.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“I know he’s got a tough job to do, but we have a tough job to do too, and we just feel sometimes that everything’s pushed at the end toward the municipalities,” Ezard said.<\/p>\n
Demolition of vacant apartment<\/p>\n
“There’s certain projects as a mayor that stick with you, and this one’s one of those,” Ezard said.<\/p>\n
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At 342 W. State St., a vacant apartment building has sat in ruins after a fire in January. The owners have not been in contact with the city since then, so it’s the responsibility of the city to make sure it’s demolished.<\/p>\n
“This one just didn’t sit well at the beginning and it’s unfortunate the city has to take this on and I certainly understand people, ‘Why, why not the owner, why not the lender, why not the insurance,’ all that, I get it. The owner \u2014 they’ve all been served,” Ezard said. “We’re ready to (demolish), once the court says go.”<\/p>\n
He said the city has been applying for grants that could help cover the demolition costs, estimated at $400,000 to $500,000.<\/p>\n
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RELATED:<\/strong> Vacant Jacksonville apartment ready for demolition, city waiting for court order<\/a><\/p>\n RELATED:<\/strong> City investigating owners of burned apartment building, looks to demolish<\/a><\/p>\n City Council vacancies<\/p>\n Ezard said he’s getting closer to appointing people to two vacancies on City Council.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Republican Don Cook, who chaired the Finance Committee, and Democrat Eren White-Williams, who chaired the Special Studies Committee, each resigned before their seats were up for election.<\/p>\n RELATED:<\/strong> Long-time alderman Cook resigns; former police chief served city 54 years<\/a><\/p>\n RELATED:<\/strong> Jacksonville alderwoman cites health for resignation, doesn’t count out a return to council<\/a><\/p>\n “I’m going to get who I think is the best person in that job regardless of Republican, Democrat, who I think could work with me and work with the other council, work with my department heads and has the best sense for this community, period,” Ezard said.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n After a City Council meeting Monday, Ezard said he’s already spoken to people about the positions, but the final appointments will be a “tough decision.”<\/p>\n “Is it going to be perfect at all times, some of the people I’m considering?” Ezard said Tuesday. “No, it’s not. Is it going to be unpopular, maybe? Maybe, but that’s OK, I’m ready for that.”<\/p>\n Jacksonville Developmental Center<\/p>\n The Jacksonville Developmental Center was once the state’s first asylum for those with mental illnesses. It later became the Jacksonville Developmental Center and was closed in 2012.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The state-owned land and infrastructure of the campus are unfit for use and it’s the site of multiple fires and breakins. The state hadn’t done anything with the property until last year, when it said it would fund its demolition.<\/p>\n RELATED:<\/strong> Why don’t firefighters let Jacksonville Developmental Center burn? A priority on life and safety, chief says<\/a><\/p>\n RELATED:<\/strong> Jacksonville Developmental Center rehab could get millions more in funding<\/a><\/p>\n The state is on the second phase of its environmental testing, which has to be completed before demolition can take place.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Ezard said he’s in constant contact with the governor’s office about the site. For years, the city mowed the property without acknowledgement or payment until 2025 when the state and city entered an agreement to pay the city for mowing. The mayor also said they’re “typing up loose ends” like the maintenance of the Immanuel North Cemetery, which is part of the center’s campus and maintained by the city, or the other buildings on the campus that are used by non-profit groups.<\/p>\n “In a perfect world, I want the city to take on Educational Daycare (Center) as our building and lease it to the Educational Daycare, that’s my plan,” Ezard said. “I don’t know if it will get it all the way through, and I don’t know if the alderman will like that plan, I don’t. There’s a lot more to it, OK? I haven’t looked all the way in, but that’s my thinking early. The same with the Crisis Center” Foundation.<\/p>\n RELATED:<\/strong> Jacksonville daycare, crisis center seek land assurances as state weighs JDC grounds plan<\/a><\/p>\n Homeless<\/p>\n In response to questions about Jacksonville’s homeless population, Ezard said the city wouldn’t be funding any of its own resources because he felt there are enough community resources to benefit the homeless.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n “If we started ramping up and being a major player in homelessness, of trying to take that on as a local government, there would be a lot of things that would have to change and, quite frankly, right now financially, this is not the time for a municipality,” Ezard said. “Now, can we help? Absolutely. Can we point in the right directions? Can our officers be more versed on how they handle and accommodate?”<\/p>\n Jacksonville recently passed an ordinance that allows police to fine people for sleeping in public outdoor spaces. It will start being endorsed in May.<\/p>\n Ezard was also asked if the city would be building a homeless shelter in town and he said the city would not be doing that. Earlier in May, Alderman Joe Lockman said all the aldermen had been presented will a draft ordinance that would seemingly set forth requirements for organizations looking to build a homeless shelter in Jacksonville. The draft has not been finalized.<\/p>\n RELATED:<\/strong> City considering possible homeless shelter ordinance<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Construction projects<\/p>\n One of the construction initiatives multiple people in the Morgan County Republican Club asked about was the Windsor Development project, which would provide apartments for the homeless in Jacksonville.<\/p>\n “A year and a half ago, they came to the city as wanting to be a player for a contribution toward a unit they coined a homeless collective unit, meaning it’s trying to help the individual get up and going with counseling,” Ezard said.<\/p>\n The city initially declined to fund the project for $100,000, though the mayor said the project has secured funding through other means, and he said he trusts the developer, Mike Niehaus.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n RELATED:<\/strong> Lincoln Ave bridge, Hoagland Boulevard to see major changes<\/a><\/p>\n