Erica Harriss gets funds for Caseyville

by Randy Pierce

CASEYVILLE — Funding support for infrastructure improvements in the Village of Caseyville have been procured through the efforts of Illinois 56th District State Senator Erica Harriss of Glen Carbon, according to a recent announcement by officials in the municipality benefiting from this action.

Caseyville Village Trustee John Wakely stated he had invited Harriss to the local police department where the two of them were joined by Chief Thomas Coppotelli in a discussion about the community’s needs, challenges and concerns.

Soon thereafter, Buckley noted, the village had been informed of the awarding of an Illinois $50,000 grant to help provide services to its residents.

Procured through budget negotiations at the state level from a discretionary funds pool, the grant can be used for new construction, improvements to existing buildings, land or building acquisition, road/street upgrades and other projects. Caseyville is located in the northern end of the St. Clair County portion of Harriss’ district which takes in an area generally to the west of Illinois Route 159 extending to the Mississippi River while going north and slightly west to cover Alton and Bethalto along with also encompassing the north portion of Fairview Heights and a small part of O’Fallon to the south.

She was elected to her current position for the first time in November of 2022 after defeating incumbent Kris Tharp of Bethalto. Prior to that time, she had served as a member of the Madison County Board since 2016.

Funding support for infrastructure improvements in the Village of Caseyville have been procured through the efforts of Illinois 56th District State Senator Erica Harriss of Glen Carbon, RIGHT. PICTURED FROM LEFT are Caseyville Village Trustee John Buckley, Chief of Police Thomas Coppotelli and State Senator Erica Harriss.