The EIU Student Senate announced unofficial results for its special election at its meeting Wednesday.

The Senate ran a special election because there were still two unfilled executive positions following its general election.

Senator Shiloh Frederick, who ran unopposed in the special election, was elected as student vice president of academic affairs with 166 votes and 15 votes of no confidence.

Former Vice President of Academic Affairs John Slater, who also ran unopposed in the special election, was elected as student trustee with 152 votes and 24 votes of no confidence.

Slater is currently employed by The Daily Eastern News as a reporter and columnist.

Senators also had the chance to run for elected senator during the special election. After their first semester, senators must be voted back in as an elected senator in order to stay on the Senate.

Claire Weber was the only person to run for an elected senator position in the special election. She received 156 votes in favor and 23 votes of no confidence.

Winners from both the general election and the special election will be sworn in at the last Student Government meeting of the semester, which is scheduled for April 22.

Also at Wednesday’s meeting, the Senate heard a presentation from Coles Together Executive Director William Hickey and Charleston Community Development Director Abby Youngblood about the revitalization of Charleston Square.

Hickey said the courthouse and square have been a key part of the city’s business and recreation for a long time.

“The revitalization efforts would sort of breathe life back into those facades,” he said.

Hickey talked about the Coles County Enterprise Zone, which is made up of areas that are eligible for land development tax incentives. The Charleston Square falls into the enterprise zone.

Land in the enterprise zone may be eligible for property tax abatement, including abatement of 100% of the increase for the first year, 75% for the second year and 50% for the third year, according to the Coles Together website.

There may also be a sales tax exemption on building materials and the state gas and electric tax, according to the Illinois Department of Commerce’s website.

There is also a plan to add residential areas to this zone, Hickey said.

“Overall, this is going to bolster the economic power of the county,” Hickey said.

Youngblood said some areas in the square are Tax Increment Financing districts, which allow for sales and property tax to be used for district improvement, according to the IDOC website.

Youngblood said that money from TIFs has been used for road repairs and that businesses have received funds to fix facades and windows.

Areas in the Coles County Enterprise Zone that are also Tax Increment Financing districts are not eligible for the property tax abatements offered under the enterprise zone program, according to the Coles Together website.

Youngblood also highlighted several changes that the area has recently experienced, such as the development of new businesses like Silver Spoons Hits the Spot and Imperion Computer Repair.

“I work in city hall, so it’s pretty close to the square and every day I would just take a lap around the square, and it would be like everyday something different,” she said.

Executive Vice President Mason Tegeler said his hometown of Paris, Illinois, has a similar square and spoke on its importance.

“I’ve seen what it looks like when a small-town square sort of deteriorates over time, and it can have a pretty dramatic effect over time,” he said. “It’s a special place to a lot of people, and I think it’s a very important part of any small town.”

Jason Coulombe can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].