[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",6298583,"mediaKeyId","2503903-5ead7dd69ab073cd608da857bb23471c","parentId",2503903,"title","Quincy resident apologizes for prior meeting gesture","audioSeconds",63,"startMs",892775,"endMs",956085,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2503903-5ead7dd69ab073cd608da857bb23471c&start=892&end=956","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2503903-5ead7dd69ab073cd608da857bb23471c/thumbnail_892775.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6298583/Quincy-City/Adams-County/Illinois/Quincy-resident-apologizes-for-prior-meeting-gesture","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298583-bd79ecf18fe8b75703dbbcb6ed8dd8e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207544&Signature=Y95czfWqk1-MxpDhhV6OL0uaK24ymbyyRrZWJVFZWxeJVTRpSUHf0zsWNoYtt0ds1i9E55xjrKFzP-p9ZpCv7AQzRyTzbx5FY4DtSxEZpOsll8~R8wBXWzzSieUWyJDMheW4lXLYOKoCpT1GWrR4Va9qXrhb2~64gqCeDIRXsbtBh2Tp~I6xjH9vUPm35g4nicuFgJK8S5wcnNX6MM00wN5O28SLh516XClysgHvZW25Eav2WuznKn7ng7yVNUJjU8pP9NXKVCqamXwajZ7DnvZtAW0fHEfk2DzTK6M5eX8W7T7WyaY1wnjA0zEbF3npbUlkN-El3Wml-GmveEFGvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Coty Council of Quincy, IL","date","2025-02-10T00:00:00Z","article","Mary Griffith, a Quincy resident, used her three minutes of public comment to apologize for a gesture she made at the Jan. 27 city council meeting that she described as feigning suicide. Griffith said she became frustrated during another citizen’s remarks and made a gesture that she now recognizes was insensitive.

Griffith told the council she has a diagnosed mental‑health condition (depression), said she advocates for people with emotional struggles to seek professional help, and expressed remorse for her behavior. She said there is no excuse for feigning suicide in a public meeting and that she will strive to do better.

The presiding official thanked her and the council moved on to the next agenda item.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Quincy City Council Meeting February 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Resident Mary Griffith apologized during public comment for making an inappropriate suicidal gesture at a previous city council meeting and expressed remorse in front of council and viewers.","taxTitle","Quincy City, Adams County, Illinois","taxId",72971,"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},6298587,"Joshua Ayers sworn in as Quincy Township assessor",100,728835,829333,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2503903-5ead7dd69ab073cd608da857bb23471c&start=728&end=829","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2503903-5ead7dd69ab073cd608da857bb23471c/thumbnail_728835.jpg","/articles/6298587/Quincy-City/Adams-County/Illinois/Joshua-Ayers-sworn-in-as-Quincy-Township-assessor","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298587-812023ada2f811af219b1454d3e4ef1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207544&Signature=OBwNqfHqxZLcoifLbQbIO737RZJTPxFAvxv-EsfWy9K7t5uR2SHEwxDmcLigEM0YGrztNk3X9qL6o4nbg-0mwBblKIv0Bvdx82ckOJ-50eYcctdMZOW8UzLyHd5nvQkMxgGvC-hT8hQyO1tB8XVv6p~WQ3gidOtxcg~OOZ1R3aOY9S50fUy2e5v-AaUFPwpMYkpjqP1bQ7G9tqJOJ8Xhz1MTiL4HoRdIOIzQ9ArTnxbpWh3U0iLNTSzY3D83HfC4aOc0ou-XsOzPpoujEB~ebgyGLqobC-THFal4k6U6GD6MIhm4Y7dlcY0lLeotMhJpeDBX-rdfqTDDwyYMsxvb2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Joshua Ayers was sworn in as Quincy Township Assessor during the Jan. 24 meeting.

Ayers repeated the oath of office and afterward told the council and the public that he began working for the township in December 2019, received his professional designation in 2021, and became deputy assessor in 2022 while working under Lisa Gasco. Ayers said he has worked in the assessor’s office for a little over five years and affirmed he has completed the required classes and certifications for the position.

The presiding official invited Ayers to summarize his background and certification for the benefit of members of the public in the chambers. Council members congratulated him on his appointment. No formal vote was required for the swearing in; the oath was administered at the microphone.","Joshua Ayers took the oath of office as Quincy Township Assessor and provided a brief background to the board and public, noting his township start date and professional designation.",{"_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},6298592,"Council holds first reading on municipal grocery tax; staff to present revenue analysis",532,2007765,2539800,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2503903-5ead7dd69ab073cd608da857bb23471c&start=2007&end=2539","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2503903-5ead7dd69ab073cd608da857bb23471c/thumbnail_2007765.jpg","/articles/6298592/Quincy-City/Adams-County/Illinois/Council-holds-first-reading-on-municipal-grocery-tax-staff-to-present-revenue-analysis","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298592-c4a24a9ff4d3a92c33b1f746558095fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207544&Signature=HteKlN7syIFtaS~kLnzfI1BXcRP5i36B-1qJ2zttWfSzy6LcC5R77h7dlJzXO49VyTVe~ftoffvw3C8kMI67enZfFEnvvjwIXQ7Y2vWhBOmacCvMzHfkQlP~3puVDtr1zWCZKMJObaqip4v~dpVs-ru1VETSyEdqHdnomqu6Gykrrhr2qYjlgxziKpmTwl-lb7kCmH-T7Rovo0LQPIkCoxlZZn~~WVDZqlBrqwsapBnXy-eH2C7k85gThDxNo4odvz43wR3IvKhg-b4sf2V6tdBh2LkaYCmocu2vvRv8l44PLtyUJfcFescKdbjrK8ZaqU40lRiJPRdDiDVnAsq0mw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Council conducted the first reading of an ordinance that would implement a municipal grocery retailers occupation tax and a municipal grocery service occupation tax for the City of Quincy.

Council members and staff framed the item as a continuation of an existing 1% sales tax component the state plans to relinquish to municipalities. Finance and city staff said the ordinance is under review to determine whether the city will “pick up” the 1% locally. Staff told the council the tax historically generated roughly $1.2 million annually from the grocery component within a broader sales‑tax base and that more detailed revenue analyses would be provided prior to final consideration.

Council members requested additional data, including how grocery spending and prices have changed in recent years, the effect on overall sales-tax receipts, and options such as taxing at a lower rate than 1% or not continuing the tax. City staff (identified in the meeting as Jeff and working with Treasurer Sherry and Kelly Stepaski) said they will prepare a brief revenue presentation for the council, including a multi-year look‑back and projections, and that the timeline for readings was set so the council could finalize its decision before the treasurer’s revenue presentation in early March.

The ordinance was placed on first reading for discussion only; the city clerk and staff said second reading would occur at the council meeting on Feb. 18 and third reading at the last meeting of the month unless the council changes the schedule. Staff encouraged aldermen to submit questions in advance to be included in next week’s presentation.","Council members debated a proposed municipal grocery retailers and grocery service occupation tax during first reading. City staff said a revenue presentation is scheduled ahead of final council action and asked aldermen to submit questions before next week’s briefing.",{"_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},6298597,"Quincy Township committee places tentative 2025–26 budget on file, proposes 4.5% levy increase",374,336580,710715,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2503903-5ead7dd69ab073cd608da857bb23471c&start=336&end=710","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2503903-5ead7dd69ab073cd608da857bb23471c/thumbnail_336580.jpg","/articles/6298597/Quincy-City/Adams-County/Illinois/Quincy-Township-committee-places-tentative-202526-budget-on-file-proposes-45-levy-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298597-4cf92e9bc20a99dc2d6d86c0b5b4833e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207545&Signature=oY6BZS61MoneMt8jC-wKtS5kd847jbBDOIDYOJHfuWrmLkGnog8O~UA--YGOgwG5LZ16~I2zpcTJ4KqH0FCfymC2C3kOeZfUjuYKwCIkqtHJcHQWZSpAQMBkSnybQV-nSCQ0hcpHyQJxvo8c7gign-3wzy8FIklskePRIiehwuAEyZoTleKIIab9cVdeMTqZDK6azDU81pSc59ULCpJN4zv8TrL-UalQWaryGQuylTly7hyV5SzoS7xWVTnLruLrq6vsu3DrKhbVlMKZXuZ5xLBqQb6FDBedbaEtSYy-S21QvcYU2UrQu-etG8PqoiJ1szVQY-VLpoM9Ttd86rwHLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Quincy Township’s committee placed its tentative budget for fiscal year 2025–26 on file and set a final public hearing and adoption date at the township’s regular meeting on April 14, 2025, the committee voted during the Jan. 24 session.

Supervisor Maggie Hoyt presented the tentative budget and financial figures for January 2025: a general assistance (GA) checking balance of $5,458.57, a GA money-market balance of $139,579.85, a property‑tax transfer of $176.94, and interest income of $98.23. Hoyt said obligations paid during the month amounted to $8,500 and reported a GA fund balance as of Jan. 31, 2025 (figure read from the record).

The budget proposal includes a requested levy increase of 4.5%, raising the township levy from $290,000 to $303,050 for taxes payable in 2026. The proposed budget incorporates raises for elected officials approved earlier and the supervisor’s bond expense (a once‑every‑four‑year cost). Hoyt also told the committee the township will combine its representative‑payee program with the general assistance program, consolidating operations and running both under a single account; any net revenue from the representative‑payee activity will subsidize general assistance services.

Committee members were given spreadsheets showing year‑to‑year comparisons and trends. Hoyt explained highlighted figures in the handouts: yellow indicates increases from the previous year, orange indicates decreases.

A motion to place the tentative budget with the town clerk for public inspection and to set the final public hearing and passage for April 14, 2025, carried on roll call (13 ayes, 1 absent).","Quincy Township Supervisor Maggie Hoyt presented a tentative 2025–26 budget showing a proposed 4.5% levy increase and consolidation of a representative-payee program into general assistance; the township committee voted to place the tentative budget on file and set a public hearing for April 14, 2025.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6298602,"Council approves permits, contracts and property sale in routine session",0,974960,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2503903-5ead7dd69ab073cd608da857bb23471c&start=974&end=974","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2503903-5ead7dd69ab073cd608da857bb23471c/thumbnail_974960.jpg","/articles/6298602/Quincy-City/Adams-County/Illinois/Council-approves-permits-contracts-and-property-sale-in-routine-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298602-07c09573860bdef3dc35580e9721bbec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207545&Signature=QHskt8tPYBaJ2~-AD5ny3fMNQhfU0Kzrr~T~I3XuDjW3JcGeAyh-QTGaEuuIvf-9Im14Sgfu-7khvfG3rCx8hUpLZe7Wyh~aOUol24iA8RN1veO042Rj92iZR3ctBHhgsLo-0TtpDohsamMeLMcuWgcIg2dalPMu6~VMEA9gEc4U0S95KrbZ5Tw3qrzBmesJQT2FoMQNEMe9C0e90y0KiRI44cj9M-LZ6UNtUeWDcwRjjO2GgsdLJTYe9EcVqTh~ga1J4snPELFn~hONJDDUiBrk8tPwLmIO9orFZSfIFGJOiIS5~iDy9OsacpWTUkD~ELteisT08EqoYPOxLAg8UA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Quincy City Council approved a series of routine permits, contract amendments and a property sale during its Jan. 24 meeting and referred a petition on a proposed road vacation to the plan commission.

The actions, taken mostly by roll call with unanimous or near-unanimous votes, included approval of temporary special-event and raffle permits, a revocable encroachment permit for an underground force main, an amendment to an airport engineering contract, a change order for an ongoing technology implementation, a resolution authorizing a housing-officer agreement with the Quincy Housing Authority, and the sale of a city lot at 1516 Van Buren Street.

Council members said the items were largely routine approvals that clear the way for vendors and applicants to proceed with projects and events. The council referred one petition seeking vacation of an undeveloped road to the plan commission for review and took action to remove an outdated intergovernmental memorandum of understanding with the Quincy Public Library.

Among the items approved:
- A raffle permit for St. Anthony Church’s Junefest, April 10–June 7, 2025; the city clerk recommended approval and the council carried the motion by voice vote.
- A revocable permit allowing Clean Restoration (Jeff Butler) to bore a 2‑inch PVC sewer force main under city right-of-way between 3120 N. 12th Street and Highland Lane, subject to eight conditions including applicant responsibility for installation, maintenance, and restoration of disturbed areas; council approved the permit by roll call.
- A special-events permit for the YMCA’s Kelly’s Fun Run on Sunday, March 16, with lane and intersection closures and barricading as described by the Department of Utilities and Engineering; council approved the permit by voice vote.
- A resolution authorizing a housing-officer agreement between the Quincy Police Department and the Quincy Housing Authority for 2025; the council approved the resolution by roll call (13 ayes, 1 absent). The council record shows the housing authority reimburses a portion of the assigned officer’s salary and benefits (the police chief said the housing authority pays 55% of the officer’s salary and benefits).
- A resolution approving sale of nonessential property at 1516 Van Buren Street to Ryan Sparks of Sparks Home Automation and Real Estate LLC for $10,000. Council amended the advertised terms to remove a 24‑month build requirement before approving the sale; the amended resolution passed by roll call (13 ayes, 1 absent).
- A resolution terminating an old intergovernmental memorandum of understanding with the Quincy Public Library; council approved rescinding the outdated MOU by roll call (13 ayes, 1 absent).
- An amendment to the previously approved airport engineering contract with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly (Springfield) to not exceed $35,000 for project costs; approved by roll call (12 ayes, 1 abstain, 1 absent).
- A project change request from Tyler Technologies totaling $18,200 for additional project management and training tied to the city’s finance/payroll rollout; the council approved the additional funding by roll call (13 ayes, 1 absent).

The council also received and approved vouchers and departmental reports during the meeting and referred a petition by Michael Weisenberger seeking vacation of an undeveloped road (approx. 550 feet) bounded by Northbrook Road and Southbrook Road to the plan commission for review; the referral motion carried by voice vote.

The council recorded roll-call tallies on multiple items; where a roll call occurred the clerk’s record appended the counts (most frequently “13 ayes, 1 absent”).","Quincy City Council on Jan. 24 approved a package of routine permits, contract amendments and the sale of a city lot, and referred a petition on a roadway vacation to the plan commission.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Quincy resident apologizes for prior meeting gesture

Joshua Ayers sworn in as Quincy Township assessor

Council holds first reading on municipal grocery tax; staff to present revenue analysis

Quincy Township committee places tentative 2025–26 budget on file, proposes 4.5% levy increase

Council approves permits, contracts and property sale in routine session