Kinmundy plans $1.5 million sewer grant application as council prepares kratom-ban vote

Kinmundy is preparing two significant city actions for August: a proposed ordinance banning the sale of kratom and 7-OH within city limits, and a state grant application seeking $1.5 million for improvements to the city’s sewage lagoon.

At its July 9, 2026, meeting, the Kinmundy City Council directed the city attorney to draft the sales-ban ordinance. The proposal was expected to return to the council for a vote at its August board meeting. The available record does not show whether that vote has occurred or whether the ordinance passed.

Sewer grant would target aging system

The city planned to apply for a $1.5 million state grant to improve its sewage lagoon. The proposed work includes dredging the lagoon and installing new monitoring equipment.

The application is part of a broader effort to rebuild Kinmundy’s aging sewer system. According to the report, two additional grants would be needed for later planned phases. The city has not received the $1.5 million in the available record, and the packet does not identify an application deadline or an award date.

For residents and businesses, the grant request could determine whether Kinmundy obtains outside funding for wastewater-system work. The record supports a planned application, not the start of construction or a completed project.

Possible park grant depends on distress-list status

Kinmundy also planned to seek an Illinois OSLAD grant for improvements to the city park if the city appeared on the state’s distress list. That status was described as pending or not yet visible on the state website.

If Kinmundy qualifies, the grant could reduce or eliminate a local match for the park work. No park funding had been awarded according to the approved record.

Proposed sales ban and August dates

The proposed kratom and 7-OH ordinance would affect future retailers within city limits. The report said Kinmundy had no current businesses selling the substances, so the available record does not identify an existing local retailer facing an immediate change.

Separately, annual oil-and-chipping work was scheduled for Aug. 3, weather permitting. South Central Community Unit School District 401 lists South Central Middle School at 503 South Madison Street in Kinmundy and sets Aug. 13, 2026, as the first student attendance day for the 2026-27 school year.

The school calendar is separate from the city’s sewer, park and ordinance decisions. The next known city decision in the packet is the expected August 2026 vote on the proposed sales ban.