Community Corner

🌱 What downtown businesses told Jacksonville aldermen about the “other 20 percent”

And on the Jacksonville Patch calendar - Jacksonville Festival of Lights

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Hey hey Jacksonville! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What downtown businesses told Jacksonville aldermen about the “other 20 percent”
  • What Jacksonville police and deputies handled in the last two days

Also on today's calendar: Jacksonville Festival Of Lights Nov 26th-Dec 28th Thursdays-Sundays.

Find out what's happening in Jacksonvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Find out what's happening in Jacksonvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Morning rain; cloudy, windy, with a high of 54 and low of 19 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Friday: Colder; breezy in the morning, temps: high: 34, low: 30.
  • Saturday: Breezy in the morning, with a high of 48 and low of 24 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Jacksonville Council Hears from Businesses about the '20-percent' (wlds.com) — Downtown Jacksonville business owners pressed the City Council for faster action on homelessness, describing safety concerns tied to a small group they call the “other 20 percent.” Aldermen are weighing a new camping ordinance, modeled on O’Fallon’s rules, while trying to balance public safety, services for unhoused residents, and worries about Jacksonville becoming a regional dumping ground.
   

• Jacksonville-area police news for Dec. 18, 2025 (myjournalcourier.com) — Jacksonville police and Morgan County deputies reported several recent arrests, including local residents wanted on warrants for theft, meth possession, and property defacement. Officers also handled disturbances on Mound Road, a minor traffic crash on West Walnut, a stolen gas can, and vandalism involving a rock thrown through an apartment window.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Yona Solutions posted a job opening for Laundry Aide in Jacksonville. Apply here.
  • McDonald's posted a job opening for Shift Leaders in Jacksonville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Jacksonville here.

🗞 Nearby News

Roodhouse

  • Lincoln boys hoops rally to Eaton tourney title (sj-r.com)

Pleasant Plains

Beardstown

Ok Jacksonville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
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