Washington, Illinois

8 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 7 WASHINGTON, I LL INOI S broadband capabilities, the city is preparing for 5G through MTCO and Comcast. However, even without it, the area has a highly dependable internet connection. Within the next budget year, they will also begin looking into the creation of charging stations for electric vehicles. Washington, Illinois has a lot to offer residents in the way of recreation. This includes parks, a health club with over 7,000 members, and other places like the Five Points Washington which offers an array of services for seniors. With an Olympic-sized swimming pool, library, banquet facility, and more all under one roof, this is quite a popular place for people to spend time. In terms of vendors and local businesses, Manier says, “Every local business from schools and churches to rec programs plays a vital role in the local economy. From Lindy’s to Sentimental Journey… I could go on and on about the impact these locals have on the area. The Chamber is very fortunate to have these businesses in the city, creating quite a draw for locals and visitors alike.” During the pandemic, the City of Washington made multiple changes to accommodate visitor and support the economy. Some of these measures included adapting the liquor license of many businesses, so that patios could remain open and restaurants could expand their outdoor seating areas to continue hosting, even as the inside was closed down. Manier proclaims, “Many businesses did an excellent job of managing these changes and ultimately surviving these trying times. We plan on continuing this trend, generating sales tax and revenue for the city. Looking three years down the road, I hope to see both residential and commercial growth to maintain our sales tax space – bringing in the right businesses whether it be for entertainment, sporting events, or otherwise.”