AMBOY – There has been plenty to be thankful for through the holiday season in Amboy.

At Amboy City Council meetings, Mayor Frank Stenzel recognizes everything everyone does for the city and has personally thanked them.

Included in his list of thanks, but not limited to, are Gina McCoy and Meg Schamberger for putting in a lot of effort for the Amboy Christmas Walk. The planning and organization was on a top-tier notch, but the weather didn’t allow a giant portion of normal walk goers to enjoy the festivities.

Mayor Stenzel said Schamberger and McCoy deserve a special thank you for everything they do every holiday.

He also thanked the city staff and others for the street project’s success, the updated air filtration system in the ponds at the sewage center, and efforts taking place at the Amboy Depot Museum and the Amboy Community Building.

Here are other actions and approvals during meetings over the last three months:

Monday, Dec. 16

This is when Stenzel thanked McCoy and Schamberger for their work during the Amboy Christmas walk.

Not only was the work on the sewer pond airlines appreciated, but extra thanks was given for a water leak being fixed without have to shut down any portion of the city.

The zoning committee 100-percent approved the rezoning of Jared Zellhoffer’s property at 326 N. Mason Ave. The Residental-1 property is now a Commercial-1 property as the owner plans to build a building and lease it to businesses.

The 2024 tax levy was approved with the max cap of 4.99 percent.

There was an approval for ordinance creating a code hearing unit for the City of Amboy where it will join with Dixon.

“We’re going to join with Dixon in a legal court system where people who are ticketed for city ordinances go to court to take care of all ordinances,” Stenzel said. “If they don’t clean up the property, and they have to go back to court, the city can legally take the fines out of the tax money they would receive from the state of Illinois.

“Dixon and Rock Falls have been successful. Since Amboy is small, they’re letting us join and we’re doing inner-government agreements. Polo may join also.”

Monday, Nov. 18

Reports from the Community Building Chair Brandon Klein say the building has been extremely busy through the fall and winter.

Stenzel was happy to hear the resource is doing well and residents are using the building.  The maintenance director is keeping an eye on the roof of the building in preparation to having to replace the roof soon.

The MFT street project bill of $88,100.48 was paid on approval.

A special congratulations was given to the Amboy-LaMoille-Ohio football team for winning back-to-back Illinois 8-Man Football Association State Championships.

Monday, Oct. 21

Stenzel let it be known he was going to run for mayor in the April, 2025 election.

“There are a lot of things that we want to get done. I discussed it with the current council members, my wife, and my family,” said Stenzel. “People may not think a local government position for a small town is busy, but it is a busy role. There is a lot going on.

“I decided I’d try it one more time, but then that’s it. There won’t be any more government and politics afterward. I did 40 years with the Amboy Fire Protection District. I wanted to do eight years, two terms as an alderman. I ended up finishing the last eight months of John Schamberger’s term as mayor when he resigned, and that was going to be it because I thought I’ve given what I thought I could.

“After talking about it and thinking about it, we’re going to make another run. If someone runs against me and beats me, I won’t be upset and fight the system.”

Also turning in election packets were incumbents Greg Noble (Ward 1), Bill Bontz (Ward 2), and Dave Shaw (Ward 3). Jeff Parker turned in a petition packet for Ward 3 alderman.