Carbondale City Council has taken a significant step towards honoring the contributions of local leaders with the approval of commemorative plaques for the Southern Illinois Multimodal Station. During the meeting on August 12, 2025, council members discussed the design and placement of two plaques that will recognize both current and former officials involved in the project.

The first plaque will feature the names of current city council members, city staff, and the design team, while the second will acknowledge state and federal officials who contributed to the station's development. The council is considering listing names alphabetically, as per city code, but some members suggested including former council members who played a role in the project, particularly those who were in office when grant funding was awarded.

The timeline for the station's development dates back to 2010, when the city began exploring alternatives to the existing Amtrak station due to increased ridership. Over the years, multiple grant applications were submitted, culminating in a BUILD grant award notification in December 2020.

Council members expressed the importance of recognizing those who contributed to the project, with discussions on whether to include former members on the same plaque or create a separate one. The consensus leaned towards a two-column format, distinguishing current members from former ones, which would simplify the presentation and avoid complications with listing service dates.

Public comments during the meeting highlighted concerns about the plaque's design, including suggestions for a matte finish to avoid glare and ensure readability. Additionally, one resident proposed that names be listed by position rather than alphabetically, emphasizing the significance of each role.

The council plans to review a mock-up of the plaques at a future meeting, ensuring that the final design reflects the contributions of all involved. This initiative not only commemorates the efforts of local leaders but also enhances the community's connection to the new multimodal station, which is set to improve transportation access in Carbondale.