Region 11: 2026 Meeting Minutes (10/21)

 

Region 10 HSTP Meeting

October 21^st, 2025

Meeting Minutes

Darlene McCoy	Lawrence-Crawford Association for Exceptional Citizens – Robinson
Mindy Swaner	Lawrence-Crawford Association for Exceptional Citizens – Robinson
Nathan Nichols	C.E.F.S./Central Illinois Public Transportation – Effingham
John Althoff	C.E.F.S./Central Illinois Public Transportation – Effingham
Melissa Goode	C.E.F.S./Central Illinois Public Transportation – Effingham
Betty Cox	Clay Co. Rehab – Flora
Kevin Schreiber	CTF Illinois – Orland Park
Jenni Beaman	CTF Illinois – Orland Park
Tarcy Schmidt	CTF Illinois – Orland Park
Meredith Cornwell	Rides Mass Transit – Harrisburg
John Bann?	Rural Transit Assistance Center – Macomb
Gidget Simpson	CILA Corporation – Flora
Dennis Presley	City of Effingham – Effingham
Mike Egbert	Opportunities for Access Center for Independent Living – Mt. Vernon
Shana Holmes	Southeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging – Mt. Carmel
Riley Anderson	Assistant Human Service Transportation Planning Coordinator – Salem
Terri Finn	Human Service Transportation Planning – Salem

        I.           I. Call to Order: The quarterly HSTP meeting was called to order by Riley Anderson at 11:04 a.m. C.E.F.S. in Effingham was the host.

     II.            II. Introductions: All attendees introduced themselves and their agencies.

  III.            III. Approval of July 2025 Meeting Minutes: Riley asked everyone to review the minutes from the July meeting. No additions or corrections. Motion to approve by John Althoff, seconded by Darlene McCoy.

  IV.            IV. Guest Speaker: Dennis Presley from the City of Effingham was the guest speaker. He formerly worked with the SIU School of Medicine and was a member of the HSTP committee during that time. He spoke about the Comprehensive Plan the city is working on. It is in the final stages. It includes initiatives to bring people to the area by increasing housing which will in turn increase demand for public transportation. The City of Effingham has eliminated the city portion of the property tax. In the new Comprehensive Plan, there are plans to build new roadways to promote economic development and housing growth. Effingham is interested in CIPT potentially expanding their E-TRAX routes to the south side of town. CIPT is working closely with the city on the transportation goals cited in the plan.

    V.            V. Election of a new Chairperson: Meredith Cornwell volunteered to fill the Chairperson position. Gidget Simpson motioned to approve, John Bannon seconded the motion.

  VI.            VI. Regional Plan 2025: Riley presented the updates from the previous meeting to the committee. Shana Holmes motioned to approve the updates. Nathan Nichols seconded the motion.

VII.            VII. Transportation Concerns: Shana Holmes shared that in her area there is a need for transportation after 5 p.m. for employment and regular local stops (routes). Rides MTD reports they are working towards more bus stops and routes. In both Richland and Wabash County, there are bus stops with benches available. Rides MTD is currently running a route in both counties until 5 p.m. CIPT was awarded for $600,000 for new building. Rides was awarded funding as well but no announcements at this time.

VIII.        VIII. General Discussion:

a.       IDOT Updates: No IDOT personnel present. Riley shared that 5311 reviews are anticipated to begin next year. There is no update on when CVP applications will come available. John Bannon shared RTAC updates. The RTAC conference is coming up in March of 2026. He asked the committee what RTAC can do to encourage attendance/participation for the Roadeo. Next week there is a vehicle maintenance workshop in Springfield – all are welcome to attend. Jean Jumper will be joining RTAC as technical assistance/consultant.

b.      Handouts/Resource Materials: Riley went through the handouts.

c.       Potential Guest Speakers: If anyone has any contacts or agencies, they would like to see speak at an HSTP meeting, please reach out to Terri and Riley and let them know.

d.      Set Meeting Dates/Locations for 2026:

                                                              i.      January 20^th via Zoom.

                                                            ii.      April 21^st will be hosted by Lawrence-Crawford Association for Exceptional Citizens in Robinson.

                                                          iii.      July 21^st will be hosted by CILA Corporation in Flora.

                                                          iv.      October 20^th will be hosted by Clay County Rehab in Flora.

  IX.            IX: Adjourn: Nathan Nichols motioned to adjourn at 12:19 a.m. Darlene seconded the motion.