Southwestern Illinois village St. Jacob shuts down over budget dispute

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A tiny southwestern Illinois village's budget troubles have effectively shut the town down.

The Belleville News-Democrat reports that 1,100-resident village of St. Jacob in Madison County is without police, a village clerk and public works after trustees failed to approve a budget Thursday. That move came after three trustees voted not to sign off on the $1-million spending plan because of discrepancies involving travel expenses and dues. Mayor Ray Muniz hopes that soon will bring trustees back to the table. The village has six full-time and nine part-time workers on furlough. The mayor says water service, utilities and trash collection are fine for now. But Muniz worries about sewer back-ups and vows to voluntarily clear any ditches that clog or overflow with rainwater. Follow St. Louis Public Radio on Twitter: @stlpublicradio