City Council approves $250,000 to continue BET on Q, LEGUP programs

July 1, 2025 | By J. Robert Gough, Publisher

Events such as this past weekend's Quincy Grand Prix have benefitted from grants paid for with food and beverage tax revenues. Photos by Shane Hulsey

QUINCY – The Quincy City Council voted 13-1 Monday to continue funding grants for local events via food and beverage tax revenues.

Alderman approved $150,000 for Bringing Events to Quincy (BET on Q) events and $100,000 for Legacy Events Program (LEGUP) projects, with BET on Q being geared toward new initiatives and LEGUP funding will help with existing programs.

Applicants will be able to apply for BET on Q events for up to two years, while LEGUP applicants could receive up to four years of funding.

Director of Planning Jason Parrott the review of the LEGUP applications will now go to the BET on Q Committee. LEGUP applications were being reviewed by SEE Quincy, the Quincy Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Parrott said capping the number of years an event could receive assistance was important as the events eventually need to eventually become self-sustaining.

Alderman Jeff Bergman (R-2nd Ward) was the lone no vote.

The Council also approved several infrastructure projects via $650,000 in Motor Fuel Tax funds and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).

The allocation means $350,000 in motor fuel tax funds will go toward the replacement video detection systems for traffic lights at multiple intersections, including Maine St. at Third, Fourth and 24th, 18th and 24th streets at Locust, 24th and Koch’s Lane, 24th and Wismann Lane, and 36th and Harrison.

Director of Public Works Jeffrey Conte emphasized that the cameras will be used for operating the traffic signals as well as collecting traffic count data.

Another $300,000 will be spent on Broadway traffic signal improvements between 12th and 38th streets. The cameras will be used to monitor traffic flow at the intersections.

Conte added that some signals need to be removed as they are often hit by semi-trailers in the 12th and 18th intersections on Broadway. Aldermen also heard a first reading Monday on prohibiting northbound semi-trucks from making right hand turns on Broadway off of 12th Street.

Aldermen also approved the low bid of just under $2.7 million for street reconstruction on College between Fourth and Eighth. Conte said the bulk of the work would include replacing the lead service water and sewer lines that dated back to the mid-1880’s.