Council appoints new alderman, advances low-income housing project

The Springfield City Council meeting was short, but there was significant action:

– Jeffrey G. Cox was appointed as the new alderman for Ward 1 after a swift vote.

– The council approved $1.5 million in funding for the Nehemiah Expansion project, paving the way for 50 new affordable homes.

– Rev. Silas Johnson and Ward 2 Ald. Shawn Gregory expressed gratitude for the council’s support. Construction is set to begin in spring 2026.

– Public comments raised concerns about unsolved murders and the lack of enforcement on massage parlors.

– Kaitlyn Keen introduced the ‘Voices of Black Women’ initiative, aiming to address cancer disparities among Black women.

This article appears in The Wedding Issue 2025.

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