Matt McMullen sworn in as new Streator council member

Streator has a new City Council member.

Matt McMullen was sworn in at the beginning of Wednesday’s City Council meeting, taking the seat held by Ed Brozak, who opted not to run for reelection after 20 years on the council.

“I appreciate the opportunity,” McMullen told the council. “I’m looking forward to the next four years.”

McMullen, 38, was elected April 6 to the council, along with incumbent Joe Scarbeary, who also was sworn-in for another term.

McMullen, who works at Vactor Manufacturing, has said he’s been wanting to get involved in city government for quite awhile, but not until now with family and career taking priority, he has had the free time to devote to it. He is married to Jennifer, and has a 4-year-old son.

At one point in Wednesday’s meeting as the council celebrated Brozak and welcomed McMullen, Mayor Jimmie Lansford expressed the need for new, younger leadership in the community.

“Younger people need to get involved,” the mayor said. “It will be key to our success. All these old guys around here, it may be time to get a new thought process, because things maybe aren’t how we thought they were, or how we thought about it.”

The mayor joked the last thing he expected to have to do as an office holder is operate a computer.

“I still hate them,” he said to laughter from those in attendance.

City completes payout of DCEO grants

The city of Streator completed its pay out of Community Development Block Grant Downstate Small Business Stabilization funds to Steve’s Bakery, Frank’s Pet Shop and Don’s Furniture in the amount of $25,000.

Funds were issued to 12 Streator businesses totaling $262,200 through this grant program, including Balanced Spirit and Wellness, Broadway Pub, Carbo’s Sports Bar, Chalkey’s Tavern, Streator Eagle 6, The Eastwood, Flower’s Plus, Omar’s Tap and The Bullpen.

The city is required to report through a public hearing when grants have been disbursed.

About $20 million in Community Development Block Grant funds were reallocated to address specific needs, specifically to provide working capital funds to community’s businesses economically affected by the pandemic.

More than $8.5 million in Downstate Small Business Stabilization grants have been deployed to 422 businesses spanning 103 communities.

Lansford commended Palm for his assistance with Streator businesses in acquiring state grant funding.

Facade grant approved for Christoff’s

The council approved a $14,440 facade grant — or 80% of the overall project — to Christoff’s at 116-122 S. Monroe St.

The project consists of installation of metal roofing on the awning, removal of all existing signage, installation of two new signs, removal and replacement of damaged boards along the lower facade and installation of 13 architectural window murals on the upper facade.