[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6374285,"mediaKeyId","2144865-7594841f9d4d9c704f713ac3893bada4","parentId",2144865,"title","Veterans groups ask council to remove private monuments from Veterans Park and adopt placement guidelines","audioSeconds",518,"startMs",2720000,"endMs",3238000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2144865-7594841f9d4d9c704f713ac3893bada4&start=2720&end=3238","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2144865-7594841f9d4d9c704f713ac3893bada4/thumbnail_2720000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6374285/Princeton/Bureau-County/Illinois/Veterans-groups-ask-council-to-remove-private-monuments-from-Veterans-Park-and-adopt-placement-guidelines","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6374285-e4ce796dcafea9abee9d4d0a8333b2d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192493&Signature=SSOieEfocrB1aMVUBx5ml26FtQ890X4HDQ7oWlxOYokvpDXo1yWTBttjswrcJtUe9qyvF2MoOcnz5Jt4eULHTGPn7bsOEkDnE~02a9VSjNkqzQw0DkSvQU8UqzMx3sZX-dO6aQRmuqzinnVBiJzlkDP8Osd-XKlxDsQUFNRjUseWtK6-smZNfdJ8Kyr7ktleb1LiXhAl8b2yXc2lm3i7gdi~GppS-5xWlYqUkBfVE6-T8gUXrSj~0cZUHlVqObBBfWr7PU409CaUkjGrxiZ0mpScgqi5PG-K0ChpIWSa5NCLDcJoAGWR83rHeTG0-Pvy6eGMQ14IOqbZQez1Xu6ojg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Princeton, IL","date","2025-01-23T15:07:31Z","article","Representatives of local veterans organizations asked the Princeton City Council on Jan. 20, 2025, to remove privately placed monuments from Veterans Park and to adopt written guidelines ensuring the park continues to honor all veterans equally.

Lynn Mullen, representing the American Legion post and local veterans groups, told the council the park was dedicated as a space to honor all who served and that small 2‑by‑4‑inch plaques in the gazebo list deceased local veterans without rank or prominence. Mullen said several privately installed monuments and larger plaques in the park now draw more attention than the modest plaques and, she said, “we respectfully request that these individual types of monuments be removed from the park.”

Mullen asked the council to adopt written rules to guide future improvements and to defer future upgrades to consultation with the veterans group to preserve the park’s intent.

Council members discussed options and the need to be respectful to family members. Council member comments noted value in the veterans’ stewardship and suggested seeking alternate locations for existing private monuments. The council proposed working with veterans and family members to relocate items and assigned a staff point person to coordinate the effort; the council did not vote on removing any monuments at the meeting.

Mayor Mabry said the city would contact family members to propose respectful alternative locations and would assign a staff person to work with the veterans’ organization to develop a plan. Council member suggestions included the industrial park gazebo as one possible alternate location; the council emphasized outreach and respectful relocation.

Ending: The council set a follow‑up to develop written guidelines and to coordinate with veterans and affected families; no removal was ordered at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Princeton City Council Meeting - January 20th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Local veterans urged the Princeton City Council to remove privately placed monuments from Veterans Park and adopt written placement guidelines to ensure the park continues to honor all veterans equally.","taxTitle","Princeton, Bureau County, Illinois","taxId",70456,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6374291,"Bureau County History Center reports restored exhibits, membership growth and phase‑2 building work",351,57000,408000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2144865-7594841f9d4d9c704f713ac3893bada4&start=57&end=408","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2144865-7594841f9d4d9c704f713ac3893bada4/thumbnail_57000.jpg","/articles/6374291/Princeton/Bureau-County/Illinois/Bureau-County-History-Center-reports-restored-exhibits-membership-growth-and-phase2-building-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6374291-bb454a3244f4421d3e06a1d8473b6c85/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192493&Signature=GaSHAT4VOCZ1GGxbhnJrfNuFwtkdyT9FyAzW-NTO0Cv4sHLsVoiSUZxFn7Xs2v0k80CSrt2-kwxsrXQ8rWpU-1MahkcXfxvGJTxDbnj1K-y5WkdxTPPSNMQWU8PhBJVvqcIqdA0VoqMrrB~YaADafUC3QaGxWrCvBlzhPeNG1csr8spRS9A2ZAltCmsO4oDKx5PC9GQ~yOM0anuu9~JZ6aaL72cM~FRUcx59PcERFbQ5MWMhKWM0NJciQVhpjV0ArGk94olMK-ElZl69UkmeO1rOk~P6zJWXgrwV4m5cKpVcttJuW00-AF2hPu2inYme2gilrgf~a4qDjBl~L7FQIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lex Toppins and Jim Dunn of the Bureau County History Center told the Princeton City Council on Jan. 20, 2025, that the museums and society balanced their budgets after receiving a tourism grant and recorded increased visitation, membership and volunteer hours in 2024.

Toppins told the council the city awarded the History Center a $38,100 tourism grant in August 2024. He said the museums and events drew more than 1,400 patrons from 48 Illinois towns, 13 states and three countries (Canada, Germany and England), and that membership rose about 20%.

“After many years, we balanced our budget for both the society and the center,” Toppins said, and credited members, donors and volunteers — including Princeton Veterans Organization and Flags of Freedom — for more than 1,400 volunteer hours that supported programming and facility work.

The Chronicle, the organization’s quarterly magazine, was distributed to 336 Princeton households and to 89 Illinois cities and 41 states. Toppins said the center is increasing distribution and preparing exhibits for 2025, including a portraits exhibit opening March 1 and a Henry Impey glass‑plate photography exhibit for the Homeset Festival; the Impey exhibit is funded by former Princeton residents Tim and Jill Schindler.

Jim Dunn, History Center Board president, showed photos of phase‑2 work on the Sash Shelter/Madison building, which was flood‑damaged in January 2014. He described progress removing a false ceiling and restoring damaged areas; the center plans a public celebration when phase‑2 completes and is planning phase‑3 to study accessibility.

Council members asked routine questions about the museum bookstore and building history; Toppins clarified the Bureau County Historical Society originally began with the Clark Norris Museum and later expanded to additional properties, including an O’Brien Museum dating to 177 years old and another building donated in December 2013.

Ending: Council thanked the History Center’s staff, board and volunteers and noted the role of volunteerism in the restoration and programming.","The Bureau County Historical Society reported to the Princeton City Council that visitor numbers and memberships increased following a 2024 tourism grant, and announced phase‑2 restoration work on the Sash Shelter/Madison building funded by private donors and volunteers.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6374296,"Study recommends additional firefighters and a north-side station to reduce train-related delays",1909,493000,2402000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2144865-7594841f9d4d9c704f713ac3893bada4&start=493&end=2402","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2144865-7594841f9d4d9c704f713ac3893bada4/thumbnail_493000.jpg","/articles/6374296/Princeton/Bureau-County/Illinois/Study-recommends-additional-firefighters-and-a-north-side-station-to-reduce-train-related-delays","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6374296-921f2207f16b671fa5a871419f00f385/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192493&Signature=mLe4d7H6NasKgwDx0RtYL7KhhAs6Yh3RiMhD79pcs3NxS8nq8JkTgQsphEicl~RXLuVWMT7JcTCiotOcrZIdWe--VZwNuwxmUckYX9-fwvUL5OZqG56Kp2K~bKl7FW4qjYOp7RYk1d1yrxzWhDU2o~2ZZT7bNXlwS-zhUM~A3opCzHzEUPG5zD3dL~g1ZzKtC0WUw3iDadRT0~lwJGc2LCoP-9f~GD~JzSRt8fMFnzfYHaTHXmpmJHS96JZGTR4-cofI8mnkwE6wpdsn9ZmMWtpwdMLotrbasyfHeodjbfexQmtjrx~CxfsZCcCq0aQ67kSFq5X-wOniipZm22Bz9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Illinois Fire Chiefs Association presented a station and staffing study to the Princeton City Council on Jan. 20, 2025, concluding the Princeton Fire Department meets the NFPA 1710 four‑minute response goal inside city limits but not in the surrounding fire protection district and recommending adding two firefighters per shift and a staffed presence north of the railroad tracks.

The study, delivered by Raymond Kaye, director of assessment and consulting services for the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, and presenter Keith Markowski, assessed five years of run data and three national standards, including NFPA 1710 and ISO measures. Kaye said the team analyzed 10,505 incident reports, including 229 fires and 9,234 EMS calls, and found about 90% of city incidents were within a four‑minute “catchment” but only about 10% of incidents in the surrounding fire protection district met that threshold.

“NFPA 1710 says you need to have four firefighters on scene within four minutes in 90% of incidents,” Kaye said. He reported Princeton’s daily staffing generally meets a four‑person minimum but noted gaps occur when ambulance crews are committed to other calls.

Why four minutes matters: the presenters emphasized rapid arrival for fire containment and rescues and for medical response, noting irreversible brain damage can occur after roughly four minutes without intervention. The study also highlighted turnout time inside Princeton, noting the 1912 station’s layout makes the time to leave the building longer than recommended.

Railroad crossings were a central concern. The report measured about 22 trains per day on average and identified more than 1,012 incidents over five years that occurred north of the tracks, of which 736 were city incidents (13 fires, 605 EMS calls, 118 others). Kaye said a long freight train or a derailment could divide town and materially delay responses for the north side, and recommended planning for a staffed facility north of the tracks so crews could respond from both sides.

Recommendations presented to the council included: using NFPA 1710 as a model (but not formally adopting it), exploring SAFER grant funding for staffing, adding two firefighters per shift (six additional firefighters across three crews), tracking train‑related delays in dispatch records, and studying station configuration or a second station to reduce turnout time. Kaye categorized many items by priority; increasing minimum staffing and addressing OSHA’s “two‑in/two‑out” safety requirement were among the highest priorities.

Council members asked clarifying questions about whether two personnel north of the tracks would meet the two‑in/two‑out requirement; presenters replied that multiple stations and mutual aid are commonly used but that a minimum of four available personnel is required to enter an active structure fire. The council requested the study be distributed to members; Kaye said a full report and dashboards had been emailed to council and staff.

No formal council action was taken at the meeting, though staff and council thanked the presenters and said they would review the report when preparing future budgets and capital plans.

Ending: The presentation closed with council acknowledgement of funding constraints and a statement that the report provides “a lot to chew on.” The chief and council indicated they will review the recommendations and consider grant applications and station planning in upcoming budget cycles.","An Illinois Fire Chiefs Association study presented to the Princeton City Council found Princeton meets NFPA 1710 four‑minute arrival standards inside city limits but not outside them, cited rail crossings as a recurring delay and recommended adding two firefighters per shift and locating personnel north of the railroad tracks.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6374276,"Council approves multiple ordinances, resolutions and routine items in unanimous votes",809,3648000,4457000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2144865-7594841f9d4d9c704f713ac3893bada4&start=3648&end=4457","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2144865-7594841f9d4d9c704f713ac3893bada4/thumbnail_3648000.jpg","/articles/6374276/Princeton/Bureau-County/Illinois/Council-approves-multiple-ordinances-resolutions-and-routine-items-in-unanimous-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6374276-41864124ef4a997401047c9ebcfec0d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192493&Signature=gGKJaRDYpjmMimexk1-LKiYsqFkGuk9BUBo8ScJMbX~Lq6~LLu-NEcRhiJnm5Nv5UUYpxme7g-eN-p-4unR8Fu-08PaHzfpPETY~J0OL5RvujpuB16EOXkIyCTFAtAfYFsQqOrzbAotDBSJjR06NOCmGxUlUzA6T0FMife-BOL0Q5F7lqohRKM0vaTZAnGZU2DoOqbUZZ0LFXRzAFXhkigfLJD-ccN-XFH5X4KnCib5bvtp7ywgMNuLvtW1quqxyxEAZTp0shCLbuKI2~0K59TkipsqJR3oTHNS08uGXQfvK2jlvlq9eqyNQe1tHENqeV3FZTofkJUFFMIYOOIHTFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Princeton City Council unanimously approved a package of routine and ordinance items during its Jan. 20, 2025 meeting, including minutes, invoices, code updates and several resolutions abating 2024 levies for prior refunding bonds.

Votes summarized:

- Minutes (regular council meeting Jan. 6, 2025): Approved by roll call (Newman, Gomez, McCall, McCranskey, Mayor Mabry — all aye). Motion to approve moved and seconded; caller for the motion not specified in the record.

- Invoices: The council approved departmental invoices totaling $1,273,759.90 (Department of Accounts and Defenses $185,527.20; Streets and Public Improvements $82,670.44; Public Safety $143,171.90; Public Property and Utilities $862,389.73). Roll call recorded unanimous approval.

- Ordinance O‑25‑001 (sale of personal property no longer necessary/useful to the City of Princeton) — second and final reading: Approved by roll call (unanimous).

- Ordinance O‑25‑002 (adopting 2021 International Building Code, Residential Code, Property Maintenance Code, Existing Building Code, Mechanical Code, 2021 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code and 2021 International Fire Code) — second and final reading: Approved by roll call (unanimous).

- Ordinance O‑25‑003 (amending city code to allow and govern pollinator gardens and native planting areas) — second and final reading: Approved by roll call (unanimous).

- Ordinance O‑25‑004 (advance to second reading; amending city code to define corner/quarter parcels as having two front yards) — motion to advance passed by roll call (unanimous); planning staff explained the measure originated with the planning commission to create uniform setbacks on corner lots.

- Resolution R‑25‑001 through R‑25‑004: Four separate resolutions abating 2024 levies for previous general obligation refunding bonds (various series and amounts as stated in agenda). Each resolution was moved, seconded and approved by unanimous roll call.

- Resolution R‑25‑005: Illinois Department of Transportation permission to impose temporary road closures for a June 7, 2025 event (Princeton Mile). Approved by unanimous roll call.

Motions were routinely moved and seconded from the dais; the transcript records roll call votes for each item with all council members voting aye. No item was defeated, tabled or amended at the meeting.

Ending: Council advanced the corner‑parcel ordinance to a second reading and approved the other ordinances and resolutions on their final readings; staff will implement the code changes and coordinate the June event as authorized.","At its Jan. 20, 2025 meeting the Princeton City Council unanimously approved minutes, invoices, several ordinances updating building and zoning codes, a pollinator gardens ordinance, and multiple bond‑abatement resolutions; the council also authorized temporary road closures for a June event.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6374281,"Temporary warming center opens at local nonprofit; mayor urges volunteers to staff shifts",367,2836000,3203000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2144865-7594841f9d4d9c704f713ac3893bada4&start=2836&end=3203","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2144865-7594841f9d4d9c704f713ac3893bada4/thumbnail_2836000.jpg","/articles/6374281/Princeton/Bureau-County/Illinois/Temporary-warming-center-opens-at-local-nonprofit-mayor-urges-volunteers-to-staff-shifts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6374281-a0670725d95b5d89eebb684ca21b5c50/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192493&Signature=bK4bPcyKE3qvCBzOXDJP6eVmbwXXGr3GftyLoYSm2rB6ZwIgRFcRLKHtKOSYh3xxvqD69OXagAmNXljoSwPFAjpQ3KKSRdDdlsiBeH6z6D80GGVXwEQbJUsadys-32Hh1PW-oKim2o1ozR6wVbXta3pctc48Et~9F8EDFOmX-bNWQceBssH3sFhrlrUGwd9KcUSdo~Yq2CMe0N9fXz4a5VvwWmxk5Ezb81zuB6t2qD3fzZjl1igAwpg62TLCtxjThaLqOFbjHPN05T9LCp2Uhsc46sFHkXKLd~-~Q-8xOooekGb~j2N6SZzByhFrxSjZXdoEx83tqnfr~EZCtWrrRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Princeton is supporting a temporary, low‑barrier warming center hosted at the Aruca campus north of town; Mayor Mabry reported on Jan. 20, 2025, that the site has operated successfully for about 10 nights and is staffed by volunteers and local partners.

The center operates nightly from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., offers cots, snacks and morning coffee, and is intended to keep people out of extreme weather. The mayor said Aruca and a coalition of local churches and organizations organized the effort; the center has had two to four guests per night and local volunteers fill overnight shifts.

Mayor Mabry thanked police Chief Tom Kammer and volunteers and asked council members and residents to consider staffing a shift; he said a typical staffing plan calls for two volunteers per overnight shift (8 p.m.–2 a.m. and 2 a.m.–7 a.m.). He provided a local contact number for the warming center coordinator.

Ending: The mayor said the warming center will continue while needed and urged community members to volunteer; the city is supporting coordination but did not vote on any funding at the meeting.","A low‑barrier warming center hosted at Aruca has operated nightly for about 10 days; Mayor Mabry and city staff said the site offers cots and snacks and asked council and residents to volunteer for overnight shifts to sustain the shelter.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Veterans groups ask council to remove private monuments from Veterans Park and adopt placement guidelines

Bureau County History Center reports restored exhibits, membership growth and phase‑2 building work

Study recommends additional firefighters and a north-side station to reduce train-related delays

Council approves multiple ordinances, resolutions and routine items in unanimous votes

Temporary warming center opens at local nonprofit; mayor urges volunteers to staff shifts