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Creekside business owner presses Lebanon committee for streetlight, cites safety worries and unreturned messages from mayor
Summary
Bethany Williams told the Lebanon City Council committees she has waited since March for a streetlight at her Creekside business, said the fixture would cost $234, and said she has received no reply from the mayor; council staff said the road is a state highway under IDOT jurisdiction and the city can offer only a letter of recommendation.
Bethany Williams, a Creekside business owner, urged the Lebanon City Council committees on Aug. 4 to advance a streetlight she says has been tabled since March, saying the installation would cost her $234 and is critical for safety at a busy driveway.
Williams told the committee she has paid or prepared payment for the light and said she has repeatedly tried to reach the mayor and other officials without response: “I can't even get a response from the mayor,” she said, adding that Creekside now employs more than 20 local residents.
The committee’s Cody reported he contacted the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and said the stretch in question is US Highway 50 and falls under state jurisdiction, limiting the city's authority. Cody told the committee the options are for the business to place a light on private property/owner's pole, or to request an IDOT permit; he said the city can provide a letter of recommendation but cannot require a private pole owner to accept a fixture. “The only thing the city can offer is a letter of recommendation,” Cody said.
Committee Chair George echoed that the state handles highway right-of-way work and said local action is possible only if the road is a local street; he noted annexation is one method to change jurisdiction but warned of tradeoffs.
Williams also sought clarity about a nearby manhole, saying she was told it is 4 feet deep; the committee agreed staff would follow up. Cody acknowledged prior miscommunication and apologized that staff had given Williams incorrect guidance about jurisdiction earlier. The committee did not vote on the streetlight; Cody encouraged Williams to pursue a private installation or apply through IDOT and said the city would supply supportive documentation.
The meeting moved on after members described steps for businesses seeking municipal support: verify whether the affected roadway is city-maintained, request a city letter of support if appropriate, or pursue an IDOT permit for lights on state routes. The committee did not take a formal action on the streetlight during this session.
