When the Village needs to quickly communicate critical information to residents it uses several venues to distribute this information. Understanding where to find this information and what you can do to stay better informed is a vital step in any emergency preparedness plan. The primary venue, and the place we suggest residents check first, is the Village website homepage. Using new capabilities built into the Village website critical information is quickly published and instantly displayed as a red banner across the top edge of the homepage.  Realizing that many residents "Like" and "Follow Us" on Facebook this same information is also automatically posted to our Facebook page within 15 minutes of appearing on the website. In addition to these methods the Village, in coordination with the Hudson Police Department, leverage Nixle to distribute critical information by e-mail and text message. Sign up is free, easy and beyond receiving Hudson specific alerts subscribers will also receive critical information related to McLean County including severe weather alerts and road closures. All residents are encouraged to sign up for Nixle and review the Emergency Services section to educate themselves about emergency preparedness.

On Tuesday December 2nd, at the monthly Village of Hudson Board Meeting, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the amendment of Village ordinance 1150 with the addition of item 10 to section 4.6. The amended item 10 states "All temporary and movable buildings must meet the current and approved building code and/or all accessory structure codes and ordinances." The primary structure targeted by this amendment are temporary and movable carports typically constructed of a ribbed tube frame and either a soft or rigid roof. With the amendment of ordinance 1150 these structures must now meet the same 2012 International Building Codes as an accessory structure, such as a garden shed. We strongly encourage residents to review Village of Hudson ordinance 1150, the 2012 International Building Codes, AND contact the Village of Hudson Zoning Department for guidance before purchasing any temporary enclosures or carport type structures. Doing so will avoid any unnecessary frustration, expense and potential fines. The Village of Hudson Zoning Department can be contacted at 309-726-1471. 

Come join us this Saturday Dec. 6th for the annual "Holiday in Hudson" sponsored again this year by the Hudson Woman's Club. The evening's festivities start at 5:00pm. with a tree lighting ceremony, hot chocolate, caroling and storytelling at Veteran's Park. Directly afterwards hayrack rides will depart from Veteran's Park to take guests around town to view a live Nativity, "A Dicken Christmas" house, and stop at the Hudson Fire Department for activities and a visit with Santa. Soup and sandwiches are for sale at the Methodist Church. The Gingerbread house is having a craft show and selling freshly baked treats at the Town Hall. The Rockridge Railroad will be lit up and decorated for Christmas.

We would like to welcome you to the new and completely redesigned Village of Hudson website. We've been hard at work creating a new website that has a new look, fresh content, updated information and some exciting new features. As the new name my.hudsonil.org implies this website is not only for the benefit of the community but each of you as residents of Hudson, Illinois. With this new website you can explore upcoming events, stay up to date on community news and even reserve Village Parks and Pavilions online. Need to contact a Village Board member or the Hudson Water Department?  They are now just a just a few clicks away with convenient online request forms. Have an upcoming event or announcement you would like posted on the Hudson website? We would love to post your information, just fill out the online form and let us share your information with the community.  Need a building permit application, Water Department direct deposit form or copy of Board Meeting minutes? All of those documents and more are now available online in electronic format on this new website.

You may wonder how it is possible for the Village of Hudson, a small community on a limited budget, to develop such feature rich website. It is only through the hard effort and countless hours of volunteers within the community that we are able to bring you this new website. We truly hope you enjoy and benefit what this new website has to offer.