St. Jacob, IL
ST. JACOB, Ill. (AP) -- A tiny southwestern Illinois village's budget troubles have effectively shut the town down.
The Belleville News-Democrat reports that 1,100-resident village of St. Jacob in Madison County is without police, a village clerk and public works after trustees failed to approve a budget Thursday.
That move came after three trustees voted not to sign off on the $1-million spending plan because of discrepancies involving travel expenses and dues.
Mayor Ray Muniz hopes that soon will bring trustees back to the table. The village has six full-time and nine part-time workers on furlough.
The mayor says water service, utilities and trash collection are fine for now.
But Muniz worries about sewer back-ups and vows to voluntarily clear any ditches that clog or overflow with rainwater.
