Council accepts opioid‑litigation allocation and approves infrastructure and service invoices

The West Frankfort City Council voted June 9 to accept the city’s allocation from ongoing opioid‑litigation settlements and approved a package of infrastructure and service payments discussed during the meeting.

City attorney John said the defendant identified in the record as Lupid, an India‑based company, entered a national settlement totaling $1.5 million; he described the city’s allocation as small and said attorneys recommended accepting the settlement rather than initiating separate litigation. The meeting record does not disclose the city’s individual share of that national settlement.

Council also approved multiple invoices related to public works and emergency services. Staff presented two Lock Mueller Group invoices for Phase 2 engineering on the I‑57149 interchange modification (one for $62,598.38 and another for $110,743.89). Council discussion noted those engineering costs will be paid from Rebuild Illinois funds and that the city will seek reimbursement of approximately 80% via the usual state reimbursement process. Council approved those payments by unanimous roll call.

Separately, the council approved GMT payback invoices to the Illinois Department of Health Care and Family Services for GMT program payments (amounts read in the meeting record) and other routine vendor invoices. All motions were approved unanimously.

The approvals allow staff to submit reimbursement requests where applicable and to make the vendor payments listed in the meeting bills.