Petitions

 Nominating petititons for the 3 open city council seats and mayor's office are available for pickup starting July 28th. Clare Killman has said she will not run for another term, leaving her seat open.  No word yet on Mayor Harvey or Councilpeople Loos and Maxwell.

On April 6, 2027, the City of Carbondale will hold an election to select one Mayor and three City Councilmembers for four-year terms. Informational documents and petition forms will be available in the City Clerk’s Office beginning on July 28; these same forms and other useful information are available in the 2027 Candidate’s Guide that can be found on the Illinois State Board of Elections’ website. Signed, completed forms will be filed in the City Clerk’s Office during the statutory filing period of Monday, October 19 through Monday, October 26, 2026 (circulation and filing dates amended by Public Acts 103-0586 and 103-0600). 

This election will be for the seats presently held by Mayor Carolin Harvey, and Councilmembers Clare Killman, Adam Loos, and Nancy Maxwell.  

Assistent City Manager Position

 Think you can run Carbondale better than the people now doing it?  Here is your chance. The city has an assitant City Manager positon open and is accepting applications with the first review of them starting August 21st:

The City of Carbondale is accepting applications for the position of Assistant City Manager, seeking a highly qualified and strategic professional to join the City's executive leadership team. The position will work directly with the City Manager to enhance organizational capacity, improve interdepartmental coordination, and advance key City priorities.  

The Assistant City Manager will provide leadership on strategic initiatives and special projects while supporting day-to-day municipal operations. Responsibilities include coordinating major City initiatives, overseeing grant development and administration, supervising public relations and communications, tourism and community promotion, and violence prevention programs, while fostering partnerships that enhance the quality of life for Carbondale residents. 

Parking

 I keep harping on this and I will bring it up at the next city council meeting I attend but the city needs better signing pointing out the parking behind the buildings on the East side of South Illinois. There is as much parking in downtown at there was before Storyboard nee Evolve took over the 710 parking lot but it is not nearly as visitble and there is little signing pointing it out.

CommuniTEA Social Hour

 At the Civic Center until 2 p.m.  About a dozen local not-for-profits are set up to provide information about themselves and what services they offer. Finger food and door prizes as well

Rip's Pizza For Sale

 Just after announcing the business was shifting to 2 nights a week, the owner posted yesterday that they have found some other business opportunities and is putting the pizzeria up for sale. That makes 2 restaurants with good name recognition in town available:  Rip's and Thai Taste. Anyone buying Rips would have to compete with at least 7 other pizza places in town while there is only one Thai restaurant.

Ryan Livingston Murder

 July 13, 2006, Ryan Livingston was murdered on the south side of West Walnut in the 300 block. For a number of years, flowers were left and the sidewalk chalked at the location but as years have passed, the memorials stopped.  As the article notes, the case gets revisited from time to time and is not closed but barring someone coming forward, it is unlikely to ever be solved.

Mint Indian Restaurant

 Mint Indian Restaurant has opened in the space formerly occupied by Tandoor and Tadka. Here is hoping it lasts longer than the former did. When I get a chance, I need to compare it and Bombay Olive since I have not heard much about the Olive in recent years.