Given the village’s lack of internet presence, it can sometimes be difficult for residents and newcomers to find essential information on the Village of Broadlands.
Utilities and Communications:
Water: Broadlands serves village residents with municipal water, which is piped in from an outside source. Water rates are currently $45 per month for the first 2000 gallons used, and an additional $6.00 for each additional 1000 gallons used. All water bills are due on the 15th of each month. Sewage disposal in Broadlands is done privately via septic systems.
For water service connection or termination, contact Susan McGarigle at (217) 834-3344. Correspondence may be sent to the Broadlands Water Department at P.O. Box 36, Broadlands, IL 61816.
Electricity: AmerenCIPS is the electricity provider in town. Outside town, in the rural areas, there may be other and/or additional choices in electric service providers. Customers can apply for service online at www.ameren.com or call (888) 789-2477.
Natural Gas: AmerenCILCO is the natural gas service provider in town. Customers may apply for sevice online at www.ameren.com or call (888) 672-5252.
Garbage: Chris’ Service Company collects trash in the village. That company provides rolling containers for refuse. Chris’ Service Co. may be contacted at (217) 684-2465. The company bills semi-monthly.
Please note that garbage cannot be burned in the village. Yard waste may be burned in a safe manner.
Telephone: Verizon offers telephone service within the Village. Outside the Village, there may be additional choices in telephone providers.
Cellular service may be obtained through most large providers.
Cable Television: Broadlands is served by Comcast Cable (www.comcast.com; (877) 870-4130). If you do call Comcast, be sure to let them know if you would be interested in them expanding internet service to the village.
Satellite TV providers, such as DirecTV and Dish Network, also serve the Broadlands area.
Internet: Currently, the Village is served by dial-up internet access and by several satellite and wireless internet providers. Dial-up services include those offered by PeoplePC, and others. Satellite services include those offered by DirecTV and the Dish Network. PrairieInet also offers a wireless internet service to those within a line-of-sight of the grain elevator. The non-dial up services typically require contracts and installation fees, and monthly service fees can range up to $60.00 or more per month.
Verizon offers a “high-speed” add-on to its cellular plans, which consists of a USB device that plugs into your computer and provides internet access that way. At the time of this writing, that plan costs roughly $60 per month. However, it has been reported that while Verizon’s cellular internet coverage on the north side of the village is acceptable, coverage on the south side of town is lacking (North and South referring to location relative to State Street).
Currently, high-speed cable or DSL/fiber optic internet access is not available in Broadlands. The Village is exploring options to ensure quality internet service for all residents.
Mail / Post Office: Due to the small size of the Village, not all residents receive home delivery of U.S. Mail (typically residents living within a quarter-mile of the Post Office don’t get home delivery). Instead, mail may be collected at the Post Office, located at 107 E. Diller St. New residents should be aware that, if they live in a section of town not served by home delivery, that the Post Office must provide those residents with a free post office box. Note that a small key deposit may apply — typically a dollar or two.
Post Office Hours are: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.; Saturday 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. The lobby is open outside those hours for checking mail in P.O. Boxes. Mail is distributed by 9:30 a.m., if not earlier.
Newspapers: Three newspapers cover Broadlands:
Southern Champaign County Today - a weekly newspaper delivered free to all residents of Broadlands and surrounding communities. Printed by Holmes Publications, 5-7 S. Main, Villa Grove, IL 61956 / (217) 832-4201.
The Leader – based in St. Joseph to the north, this is a subscription-based weekly paper. 429 E. Warren St., St. Joseph, IL 61873 / (217) 469-0045.
The News-Gazette – the largest of the three and the only daily newspaper, the News-Gazette covers Champaign-Urbana and surrounding areas.
Schools:
Students in Broadlands attend the Heritage School District.
The Heritage Elementary and Junior High School is located at:
512 W. First St.
Homer, IL 61849
(217) 896-2421
The Heritage High School is located at:
206 E. Diller St.
Broadlands, IL 61816
(217) 834-3393
Village Government:
The Village’s functions are carried out by the Village President and the Board of Trustees. Terms are for four years, with terms of office staggered such that elections are held every two years. Election information may be found at the Champaign County Clerk’s site.
Village Board meetings are open to the public and are held the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Village Hall, located in downtown Broadlands. Residents of the Village are encouraged to attend meetings or to present concerns to the Village Board. Summaries of each meeting’s minutes are printed in the Southern Champaign County Today weekly newspaper, distributed free of charge to all residents of Broadlands and surrounding communities.
Current Village officials are:
Acting Village President: Matt Buffington (term ends 5/3/2011)
Village Trustees:
Micah Coffin (term ending 5/3/2011) — Parks
Allen Hall (term ending 4/30/2013) — Water
Russell Jones (appointed; term ends 5/3/2011) — Ordinances, Maintenance
David Parsons (appointed; term ends 5/3/2011)
Brian Pondenis (term ending 4/30/2013) — Ordinances, Parks
Jeff Wyant (term ending 5/3/2011) – Streets, Alleys, Trees
Village Clerk: Krista Jones
Village Treasurer: Margo Hockett
Correspondence may be sent to the Village at P.O. Box 50, Broadlands, Illinois 61816.
An unofficial posting of the Village’s ordinances may be found here.
Snow Removal:
Snow removal on streets within the Village limits is the responsibility of the Village of Broadlands. However, snow accumulations on the roads outside the Village is removed by either Ayers Township or by Champaign County.
Tornado Sirens:
The tornado siren is tested on the second Wednesday evening of each month at 7 p.m. If severe weather threatens at that time, the siren will be tested the next day in which there is no severe weather.
