Lawrenceville Mayor Praises Crews for Storm Response

City employees worked around the clock to clear record snowfall and address water main breaks.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 12:39pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Mayor of Lawrenceville, Illinois is commending city crews for their efforts in responding to a recent winter storm and its aftermath. Mayor David Courtney thanked the Street Department for clearing a near-record snowfall by operating 24/7, as well as the Utilities Department for addressing multiple water main breaks despite challenging conditions.

Why it matters

The mayor's public praise highlights the critical role that municipal workers play in maintaining essential services and infrastructure during extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change. Lawrenceville's response also demonstrates the ongoing challenges cities face in upgrading aging systems to meet environmental regulations.

The details

In a message released by the city, Mayor Courtney said the Street Department's around-the-clock snow removal efforts resulted in improved road conditions across Lawrenceville. Meanwhile, the Utilities Department responded to multiple water main breaks along Lexington and Porter Avenues, addressing the issues despite worker fatigue, aging infrastructure, and sub-zero temperatures, with help from employees in other departments.

  • This week's winter storm brought a near-record snowfall to Lawrenceville.

The players

David Courtney

The Mayor of Lawrenceville, Illinois.

Street Department

The city department responsible for snow removal and road maintenance.

Utilities Department

The city department responsible for managing water and sewer infrastructure.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

The mayor says the city is working with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to resolve notices of violation related to sanitary sewer overflows, the sewer plant, and water system compliance.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical role that municipal workers play in maintaining essential services and infrastructure during extreme weather events, as well as the ongoing challenges cities face in upgrading aging systems to meet environmental regulations.