Heartland Women's Healthcare announced on social media today that, as of January 31, 2025, the organization will no longer have privileges at SIH Memorial Hospital. Heartland will still provide care at other local hospitals and their own offices but not at Memorial.
From what I can tell, this was a decision by SIH and not Heartland, as the press release says Heartland has been working to maintain privileges there.
Likely due to the drop in temperatures and no local bars actively pushing the event (cough Pinch Penny Pub cough), this year's Polar Bear was a comparatively tame event. I saw one group drinking on a porch on West Mill Street at 10 a.m. and a couple of the fraternity houses on S. University had people out in the afternoon. I heard of one party on S. Poplar getting loud about 2 a.m. and saw a few complaints about people peeing by dumpsters but that was about it. No large crowds of students traipsing along West Main or S. Poplar as in days of yore.
Of course, it was a bit cold yesterday so that may have kept people inside.
It appears Tuesday night's "verbal altercation" after the city council meeting was between Councilpeople Claire Killman and Ginger Rye-Saunders and members of Rye-Saunders family. According to the current Carbondale Times, each had disparaged comments the other made and the two continued commenting to each other after the meeting with members of Rye-Saunder's family deciding to get involved. Carbondale police intervened and a staff member escorted Killman to her car.
For all the complaints about rental housing in the city, it appears that very few people want to actually put in the work to redo rental regulation. If no renters want to get involved, they can expect to either see things stay the same or change in favor of the landlords who do want to get involved. After all, it is the landlords whose "ox will get gored" should any changes get put into play as they would be the ones most likely to be affected negatively, so it is only reasonable to expect them to to take action to mitigate what they would perceive as harmful outcomes. Press release from the city:
Alert Sent On: 01/16/2025 04:45:18 PM CST
At the February 13, 2024, City Council meeting, the Carbondale City Council held a public hearing concerning changes to how the City would regulate rental housing. This included changes to regulate the relationship between landlords and tenants and a new rental housing licensing program. Following this meeting, the City Council voted on March 26, 2024, to establish a working committee to discuss and draft a new rental housing ordinance.
Multiple attempts were made to fill this committee, but the City only received a few letters of interest in being placed on the committee. After the final attempt to get landlords and tenants and other community members involved in the committee, it was determined to move forward with a Staff-developed rewrite of Title 4, Chapter 4 to address the concerns of the City Council as it relates to rental housing and landlord-tenant relationships.
At this time to respect the time and efforts of those who have applied, the City Attorney’s office will be reaching out to the individuals whose applications were received throughout this process. A calendar invite will be sent to coordinate dates that these individuals can meet to discuss this ordinance. Following that, two open sessions will be held that the public may attend. All dates and times TBD.
If you previously applied and do not receive an invite to the stakeholders meeting by 5 PM January 22, please forward the original email you sent with your application you to cityattorney@carondaleil.gov
If you wish to receive e-mail updates on the dates and times of the meetings related to the changes to landlord and tenant ordinances, please contact the City Attorney’s office at cityattorney@carbondaleil.gov.
For further info contact the City Attorney’s Office at 618-457-3215.
Here is the agenda for tonight's Liquor Control Commission and City council meetings. From the LCC agenda, it looks as if Qin Guan Buffet is setting up a delivery only kitchen with alcohol delivery available . Most of the Council business is approval of warrants, although there is one separate item discussing "An Ordinance Amending Title Four, Chapter Four of the Carbondale Revised Code as it Relates to Housing and Landlord and Tenant Rights and Obligations"
In case you want to have some input as to the direction the Carbondale Park District takes over the next several years, here is your opportunity. The Master Plan guides the decisions the Park District makes over the next few years. The city has a similar Master Plan as well and I know of residents that, when the city has made a decision that runs counter to the Master Plan, they have called attention to it and cause the city to reverse the decision.
The consultants for the Park District and the City will be giving a public presentation on Carbondale's Parks and Recreation Master Plan Tuesday, January 21st, 5:30 p.m. at CCHS 1301 E. Walnut St. The public is invited. Please try to attend.
