Lake Jacksonville management announces the following information:
Fishing will open for Lake Jacksonville starting March 10, 2025. All 2024 season boating permits are valid until April 1, 2025; $11.00 daily permits are available on the west facing exterior wall of the concession building.
Lake Jacksonville will open to camping April 1, 2025 at 8 a.m., and close for the season October 15, 2025 at 5 p.m.
The City Clerk’s office will not be selling boat permits. All boaters must purchase a 2025 season boat permit exclusively at the concession building at Lake Jacksonville starting 8 a.m. April 1, 2025.
The seasonal camping lease payment deadline is April 30, 2025; $50.00 late fee will be applied until May 5, 2025. Lake management will not accept payment after May 5, 2025; lots that are not paid by the May 5 deadline will be entered into the 2025 permanent camper lottery, which will be held on May 10, 2025 at 10 a.m. in the concession building. This lottery is for current camping lease holders only.
If you have any questions, please notify Superintendent Gilbreth through the following contact information:
Brett Gilbreth
Jacksonville Lakes Superintendent
217-408-8771
bgilbreth@jacksonvilleil.gov
West Central Illinois Council on World Affairs holding program:
Global Cybersecurity Challenges will be the subject of a West Central Illinois Council on World Affairs program presented by Rabbi Rob Thomas at 7 p.m. on March 19, 2025, at 220 Crispin Hall, Illinois College campus.
Thomas, a Jacksonville native, has extensive experience and knowledge in international cybersecurity as an advisor to the U.S. National Security Council and as a technology entrepreneur focusing on internet security. After serving the U.S. Navy in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Thomas worked as a programmer and network engineer helping to build the early infrastructure for the internet.
Thomas’ program will explain how online crime began as a humble hacker culture and has evolved into a well-honed online underground global economy where malevolent actors collaborate to harm American interests. He will also discuss how the underground economy functions as a global economic engine.
Crispin Hall is located on West College Avenue in Jacksonville. There is no charge and a sign language interpreter will be provided.
The West Central Illinois Council of World Affairs has been providing free programs to the Jacksonville community regularly since its incorporation in 1982. The Council is an Illinois not-for-profit tax-exempt corporation.
Winners announced for “Building with Brick – The Art of LEGO” exhibit that ran December 2024-February 2025 at the Jacksonville Area Museum:
The winners have been announced for the Jacksonville Area Museum’s third annual “Building with Brick – The Art of LEGO” exhibit that ran from December 4, 2024-February 28, 2025. The results were based entirely on ballots cast by museum visitors.
The winners are:
- Best Build from a Kit (all ages): Rebecca Spencer – Lord of the Rings Rivendell
- Best Original Build (children ages 0-7) TIE: Anson Boston – Lord of the Rings, and Emmons Stephens – Grain Semi Truck.
- Best Original Build (children ages 8-12): Rener Boston – D-Day Utah Beach.
- Best Original Build (ages 13+): Khara Koffel – Castles by the Sea.
- Best Build Highlighting Jacksonville Architecture (all ages): Casey Eyer – Ferris Wheel.
- Best Build Highlighting Illinois History (all ages): Bennett Mehta – Great Chicago Fire Water Tower.
Each category winner received a $100 LEGO gift card.
In addition, Jacksonville Mayor Andy Ezard selected his favorite build this year and chose Jenny Barker-Devine’s ‘A-Frame Cabin with Lake’ to receive the Mayor’s Choice Award.
“A huge thank you to all who participated. We are extremely grateful for the LEGO artists who shared their creations with the public,” said Jacksonville Area Museum Manager Elise Griffin. “The museum hosted hundreds of visitors from across the city, state and country who stopped by to see the LEGO creations and select their favorites. We look forward to hosting this exhibit again in December 2025.”
The Jacksonville Area Museum is located in the old Post Office building at 301 E. State Street. It is open Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. There is no admission fee but a donation of $5 is suggested to help keep the museum operating.
