Representatives from the Livingston County Health Department appeared before members of the Fairbury City Council Wednesday evening.
Administrator Dr. Erin Fogarty and Health Educator Chrystal Little spoke about reversing opioid overdoses and services offered by the department.
One of their goals is to share information with communities on Narcan, or Naloxone, which reverses overdose. Narcan works by blocking the effects of opiates on the brain and restoring breathing. It only works if opiates are in the system.
“It could be someone with a substance use disorder or someone who took their medication twice that day,” explained Little.
Narcan is simple to administer for overdose victims and most people are comfortable about using a nasal spray.
“It is used for all ages from infants to adults,” Little said. “You cannot harm them by using Narcan.”
Narcan nasal spray is available by calling 815-842-5903. Funding came from opioid abatement funds the county received. The Health Department wants to make sure area law enforcement, EMS and community leaders are aware of this. Fogarty said Narcan is highly successful when administered.
Fogarty reminded the council they have many programs and resources to help people.
“Please never hesitate to reach out,” added Fogarty.
Fairbury Police Chief Robert McCormick said they go through much less Narcan than 10 years ago. He advised monitoring a person closely who has experienced an overdose and receives Narcan and contacting emergency personnel.
In other matters, City Superintendent Brett Ashburn reported the Street Department put up two new basketball hoops at Marsh Park and will get the other two up before the paint is down. An unveiling of the courts is expected eventually.
Alderman Gary Norris said a resident had a package stolen from a front porch. That package was full of needed medical equipment.
Alderman James Tipton asked if anything could be done with yards that have junk in them.
“We have junk ordinances,” replied Ashburn.
The yard he was referencing had garbage cans overflowing and toys all over.
“What they consider junk and we consider junk – it’s always a battle,” noted Ashburn.
Residents can ultimately be fined in the end.
“What are we going to do about unkept lawns?” asked Alderman Steve Endres.
Ashburn said they generally wait until spring when mowing season starts to address this.
“Sometimes, you get progress and sometimes it’s hard to,” said Mayor David Slagel.
Endres reminded the public that the city provides free pickup of bulk items.
Alderman Bill Schmidgall asked about the timeline for Locust Street intersection work. According to Ashburn, areas were repoured which settled over the winter then the asphalt will be redone. Asphalt work should happen in the next couple of weeks, weather permitting.
Council members approved a resolution in support of grant funding for the National Fitness Campaign. The nationwide 2026 initiative involves the installation of outdoor Fitness Courts in over 1,000 municipalities and school districts.
Ashburn compared this to Constitution Trail in Bloomington which has different workout sites.
“It would be along the trail,” Ashburn explained. “It gives people a place to stop and do some workouts.”
A free app would be offered for download where participants can follow the workouts offered.
Stationary equipment will be involved as it is part of a push across the country for better health and wellness.
Article X was amended in the Fairbury Zoning Code Book as the city is trying to prevent Locust Street from becoming all apartments. It says the ground floor in buildings between First and Fifth streets cannot be used for residential purposes, unless it already is. Alderman Tipton made the motion to approve the amendment.
Plans were revealed for a city Easter egg hunt on April 19 at North Park, likely starting at 10 a.m.
The council entered an executive session at the end of the meeting, though no action was anticipated.
