Glen Carbon, August 18, 2025
News Summary
Glen Carbon officials are preparing to issue bonds to fund a proposed new water treatment plant after a $27 million state loan application was denied. The Finance Committee approved an ordinance to allow the village to seek private financing authority while preserving a 30-day “back door” referendum that lets residents gather signatures to put the bond question on the ballot. The full village board will consider the ordinance next, and if adopted the village would solicit construction bids and compare costs against continuing to buy water from outside providers.
Glen Carbon Considers Bond Financing After Illinois EPA Denies $27 Million Loan for New Water Treatment Plant
Village leaders in Glen Carbon are moving quickly to secure a way to pay for a proposed new water treatment plant after being denied a $27 million loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The village’s Finance Committee approved an ordinance that would clear the path for a so-called back door referendum, allowing residents to force a public vote on any bond issue intended to fund the project.
Top line: loan denied, bonds possible
The Illinois EPA turned down Glen Carbon’s application because the village did not score high enough under a competitive funding process. Village officials say state funding is being given to communities with more urgent financial need. State officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In response, Glen Carbon is considering issuing bonds to raise the money itself while continuing to seek state assistance.
What the Finance Committee did
The local Finance Committee — made up of Trustees Ben Maliszewski, Brian Paul and Mark Foley — approved an ordinance that would let the village obtain authorization for private financing and would start the clock on a public petition option. If the full board signs off at its next meeting, residents would have 30 days to gather signatures to place the bond question on the March 17, 2026 ballot. If no petition is filed, the village could proceed to issue bonds.
How the “back door referendum” works
The ordinance does not obligate the village to build the plant; it simply authorizes the board to borrow money through bonds if needed. The petition process gives residents a chance to require a public vote on the bond issue. If residents gather the required number of signatures within 30 days, the borrowing plan would be decided by voters in March 2026. Village leaders emphasized that a citizen petition would not delay getting construction bids for the project.
Next steps and timing
The Finance Committee’s measure is expected to go before the full village board at the meeting on August 26. If the board approves the ordinance, staff would have authority to pursue bond authorization while continuing discussions with state agencies about funding. The village plans to seek bids for the project as soon as it has bonding authority, allowing leaders to compare the cost of building a plant with the cost of continuing to buy water from outside suppliers.
Background: how Glen Carbon gets water now
Glen Carbon shut down its own water treatment plant in the 1990s and has relied on outside providers ever since. The village first took water service from a neighboring city and now buys water from a private supplier. That private supplier has offered a new, permanent contract should Glen Carbon decide not to build its own plant. Village officials say the decision now comes down to which option is more economical for residents over the long term.
Financial and community implications
Seeking bonds would allow the village to lock in financing quickly if state aid does not materialize. Village leaders note that once they have bonding authority they will solicit bids and compare prices. If bids come in higher than expected, officials may decide to continue purchasing water instead of building. If bonds are issued and the community approves construction through a referendum, the project would move forward under the terms set by the board and as approved by voters.
Points of caution
- Getting denied by the state highlights how competitive environmental and infrastructure grants have become.
- Bond issuance would increase the village’s borrowing but would not immediately commit Glen Carbon to construction until further steps are taken.
- Residents have a clear route to demand a public vote through the back door referendum if they prefer to decide the issue directly.
What to watch next
Watch for the full board vote on August 26, whether petitions are filed within the 30-day window if the ordinance passes, and the results of any bids the village solicits once it gains bonding authority. Those items will determine whether Glen Carbon builds a new plant, continues to buy water under a new contract, or pursues a mixed approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Illinois EPA loan denied?
The loan application did not score high enough in a competitive ranking process. State funds are being prioritized for communities with more urgent need.
What is a “back door referendum”?
It is a petition process that lets residents force a public vote on a bond issue after the village board approves authorization to borrow. If enough signatures are gathered in the required time, the measure goes to the ballot.
When would a vote take place if a petition succeeds?
If a valid petition is filed, the bond question would be placed on the March 17, 2026 ballot.
Will the village automatically build the plant if bonds are authorized?
No. Authorizing bonds only gives the board the ability to borrow. The village will still review bids and cost estimates before committing to construction.
How does this affect current water service?
There is no immediate change to water service. The village will continue purchasing water while it evaluates financing and construction options. A permanent contract has been offered by the current supplier if Glen Carbon decides not to build its own plant.
Key Features at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| State Loan | $27 million loan application denied by Illinois EPA due to low competitive score |
| Local Action | Finance Committee approved ordinance to allow back door referendum and seek bonding authority |
| Timeline | Full board vote expected Aug. 26; 30-day petition window if ordinance passes; ballot date March 17, 2026 if petition filed |
| Financing Options | State loan (denied), possible bond issuance, continued purchase of water from outside supplier |
| Community Impact | Bond issuance would affect village borrowing; residents can force a public vote; bids will determine final decision |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- The Intelligencer: Glen Carbon — Water treatment plant loan denied
- Wikipedia: Glen Carbon, Illinois
- RiverBender: Edwardsville School District outlines summer 2025 construction projects
- Google Search: Edwardsville School District summer 2025 construction
- The Intelligencer: Glen Carbon Heritage Museum anniversary
- Google Scholar: Glen Carbon Heritage Museum
- The Intelligencer: Glen Carbon trustee meeting recap
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Referendum
- KSDK: Madison County, Illinois consolidated election results 2025
- Google News: Madison County Illinois consolidated election results 2025
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