Dairy Queen planned for Chenoa

The Dairy Queen sign is shown in neighboring Fairbury along Route 24. Now, one is planned for Chenoa.

Chenoa residents will no longer have to drive east or west to enjoy soft serve ice cream, Blizzards and other treats.

The owner and operator of the Fairbury and El Paso Dairy Queens, Seth Campbell, appeared before the Chenoa City Council Tuesday evening to reveal plans for a new Dairy Queen to be located west of McDonald’s.

Tentative plans include breaking ground in late summer or early fall with a goal of opening in 2026. According to Campbell, Dairy Queen has a team they are working with.

“We look forward to working with you,” said Chenoa Mayor David Shane.

A newer design will be used compared to what the Fairbury and El Paso Dairy Queens look like now.

Longtime area residents may recall Dairy Queen was formerly located in Chenoa where the current Shell gas station stands today. Campbell’s dad, Mark, grew up in the area and helped run the former DQ at one point. Seth is from Gridley.

“Hopefully that will bring more commercial properties out that way,” noted Shane.

Shane would like to see ramps come into the commercial area from the interstate. He hopes to work with IDOT on the process.

“I think it’s going to be huge for us.”

In other business, the Chenoa Council heard about a Special Event Liquor License for Wildflower Road, LLC. Though no action was taken or needed, the council seemed alright with the concept of having the license during the city’s Fourth of July celebration.

A request was made by the CARE Charity event planned for May to use a drive near Redbird Park along Route 66 and barricades will be needed. Shane revealed the Friends of the Trail will put up a pavilion in that area with electricity and a concrete pad, perhaps later in the summer.

Council members approved the appointment of a three-person committee to look at the old cannery site which is currently a pile of bricks and bring back information to the city. The appointees are Don Schultheis, Larry Leggett and Bobbi Ludwig.

Discussion was held on a Zoning Board recommendation regarding section 10-13-4 concerning mobile units or RV standards to allow a four-year duration of the special use. Mayor Shane wants to send this back to Zoning to add criteria into the agreement.

Stacy Eilts was appointed to the Economic Development Commission to fill a vacancy.

“I highly recommend her,” said Shane.

Eilts is the wife of COUNTRY Financial agent Marlon Eilts who is opening an office in the former Chenoa Pharmacy location on Green Street. He has a main office in Pontiac.

A proposal from Opperman Construction to clean storm tile was approved. It is believed roots are inside a large tile on the north end of the railroad tracks that eventually runs into an open ditch. A big rainfall back in 2023 led to the city park having a foot of water.

Opperman is expected to clean out the tile and put a camera in it to check things out.

“We need to get in there and see what’s going on with this tile,” said Commissioner Zack Lopeman.

“It’s been an issue forever,” replied the mayor.

The price tag is at $24,970 and Lopeman said there is money in MFT, or the Motor Fuel Tax.

In a separate matter, more communication was urged for advisory boards, such as zoning and the EDC. Lopeman described a “disconnect” between the council and advisory boards. He suggested having a record of any type of recommendation attached to meeting minutes. Mayor Shane called for a paper trail so communication happens.  

“Let’s try to all work toward more communication,” stated Shane.

Treasurer Bryan Rowold reviewed the 2023-2024 audit which had no negative findings.

“It is 72 pages long,” he explained. “They don’t suspect anything wrong with (the numbers).”

During public comment, a man said the zoning recommendation concerning mobile units and RV standards should not be sent back to the Zoning Board.

“We are going to end up with another trailer court if you let this go through,” he said.

After a brief back-and-forth discussion with Commissioner Lopeman, the man got up and left.

“I’ve got to leave before my head blows off,” the man said before exiting.

The council was asked by a bus driver to address some bumps on streets and areas where the road edges are washing out on both sides.

Mayor Shane reported Midwest Meter called him this week and said they had someone to climb the water tower and are supposed to put in new firmware.

“We are going to be going through looking at the actual reading and adjusting it if we need to,” explained Shane.

Shane admitted issues were going on with the meters and it will be $250,000 to get meters replaced. He said they have been in the blind as far as leak reports.

While the city has a new water billing system, the meters have been in for around 10 years.

Treasurer Rowold said the general fund, motor fuel, swimming pool, TIF, water and sewer and business district funds had a surplus.

“Every single fund is in a surplus,” Rowold said.

Commissioner Manny Hernandez revealed new dirt is being added to the baseball diamond and they are trying to level it as much as possible. Also, a trail meeting is coming up with IDOT as they have a crossing update.

Shane noted he met with State Senator Chis Balkema earlier in the day about a number of issues and will meet with Congressman Darin LaHood in the next week. Topics will likely include grants and infrastructure.

Hernandez also brought up the swimming pool. Farnsworth has a team that looks at pools and can go through it to give the city ideas.

Shane says, fingers crossed, the pool will be open this year but next year the liner will need to be replaced and the pool must become compliant with all state laws. Shane heard Lexington closed their pool down for good.

Seth Campbell, who currently owns Dairy Queens in Fairbury & El paso, speaks to the Chenoa Council.