April 4, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Acklin named acting mayor of Ogden

Jim Acklin is the acting mayor of Ogden.


Acklin was selected at the Nov. 2 meeting by the Ogden Village Board.


Acklin was nominated by Trustee John Wright.


“I think he has a reputation in the community and Central Illinois, in general, for his leadership,” Wright said. “He is a pragmatic person so I am nominating him.”


Trustee Brandon Lewis seconded it.


Acklin accepted the nomination.

“If it is voted that way I will do my level best to maintain everybody’s trust,” he said.


The board approved it 6-0.


Acklin elected to maintain his trustee status, which he is allowed to do via Illinois State statute. Acklin will be able to vote as a trustee but will not have veto powers as a full mayor would.
Acklin said he wanted to learn the position and decide if it was something he was interested in doing full-time before the next election in April 2025.


“My comfort zone is being a village board member and maybe that is my default,” he said. “I would like to see how it goes.”


Acklin taught and coached for 22 years at SJO, and then served eight years as the SJO Superintendent where he oversaw an $11 million renovation project and a $1.1 million geothermal project.

Along with his time at SJO, Acklin also served as principal at Ogden Grade School for three years and superintendent of the Shiloh school district for four years.


He also has served on the Ogden and Prairieview-Ogden Grade School Board from 2005-07.


Currently, he is the interim superintendent at Chrisman. In June, he will retire from that position.
“I think I can balance both for eight months,” he said. “That will be off the table at the end of June so I can then fully focus on being mayor and what that entails.”

Acklin said the organizational skills he uses as a superintendent will help him as acting mayor.


Acklin said at Chrisman he is used to keeping his board informed, getting agendas together and creating mid-month reports.


“As superintendent I know if you can get things in front of your board early and often it typically helps,” he said.

Former Mayor Gabe Clements resigned effective Nov. 1.


Mayor Pro-Tem Kelly Cooper read Clements’ resignation letter during the meeting.


“It has been an honor and privilege to serve the citizens of our community over the last several years,” Clements sa id his letter to the board. “I am grateful to have served with all of you on the Village Board and I thank each of you for your hard work and supporting me during this transition. I am proud of the work that we have accomplished as a. Board .I wish the Village of Ogden Board the best in the future. Thank you to the citizens of Ogden for their support. I will never forget it.”


Acklin was also full of praise for Clements.


“If you look at Gabe Clements, he oversaw a million-dollar drainage improvement over his time here.” Acklin said. “That’s huge. He cemented his legacy over for the next several generations.”

Banner
Related Posts

‘ B.J. was one who absolutely stood out’

September 10, 2021

September 10, 2021

We asked Matt Davidson, the former Legislative Director for the Illinois Municipal League for his thoughts on B.J. Hackler. Here...

Fruhling-Voges lays out Phase 3 plans for St. Joseph

May 29, 2020

May 29, 2020

St. Joseph Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges wants St. Joseph residents to be patient with one another as the State of Illinois...

Talk of the Town with SJO Superintendent Brian Brooks

May 9, 2019

May 9, 2019

Every week we ask a village mayor, school superintendent or board member three questions. This week we talked to St....

Talk of the Town… Jim and Jen Wagner

August 6, 2019

August 6, 2019

Every week we ask a village resident or official three questions. This week we spoke to Jim and Jen Wagner...

A familiar face joins Longview Bank

November 22, 2021

November 22, 2021

Sara Bryan has always had a passion for helping people. That passion was instilled in her by her father who...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Aug. 10

August 10, 2021

August 10, 2021

I was 15 minutes late. Village board is packed. Not totally sure why but its public comment time! MY favorite...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Feb. 27, 2024

February 27, 2024

February 27, 2024

Thanks to MX Electric for sponsoring our live blogs. I am 11 minutes behind but they are going over the...

Kids say

July 19, 2019

July 19, 2019

Second graders from PVO South tell us if they would like to be a farmer. This post is sponsored by...

Former rivals give back with youth girls’ basketball program

January 22, 2019

January 22, 2019

Growing up, Andrea Flenniken was a Spartan. Flenniken graduated from St. Joseph-Ogden High School in 1996 and played girls’ basketball...

Lewis wants to give back to hometown

April 5, 2021

April 5, 2021

Brandon Lewis has one goal as trustee—give back.  Lewis is running for Ogden Village Board on April 6.  “I want...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Oct. 25, 2022

October 25, 2022

October 25, 2022

I’ll give you one guess what’s on the agenda. GOLF CARTS. Before the meeting, the board is discussing gubernatorial candidates....

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, July 11, 2023

July 11, 2023

July 11, 2023

Jim Wagner is not here. Jeff Van Buskirk’s seat isn’t filled yet. They approved the minutes, bills, treasuer’s report. An...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Nov. 8, 2022

November 8, 2022

November 8, 2022

Happy Election Day! There are a lot of people here tonight and I am not sure why. While we wait,...

Cummings hopes to continue work as trustee

December 7, 2020

December 7, 2020

Village Trustee Terri Cummings has big goals for the village. Short term, Cummings hopes to contribute to the betterment of...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Oct. 11, 2022

October 11, 2022

October 11, 2022

We are live at village board. The news everyone is waiting for. Halloween Trick or Treat hours are Oct. 31...

Comments
Leave a Reply