The Carbondale City Council turned down a request by the Carbondale Public Library for an additional $58,000 for fiscal year 1997 and reduced some other budget requests because of the uncertainty of Carbondale’s role with Amtrak and a tight overall budget.

The Illinois Department of Transportation said preliminary figures showed it would cost Carbondale $232,000 to run the Carbondale Amtrak station. The recommendation is part of IDOT’s long-term solution to continue state funding for the Amtrak train Illini, which links Chicago to Carbondale.

Mayor Neil Dillard said the figures were not precise and he had many more questions for IDOT.

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This is not final, he said. This is simply their recommendation, but if it becomes reality we need to be prepared.

The council said they could not support the fund request for the library because of this uncertainty and asked if the Library Board of Trustees could look elsewhere for support.

The Carbondale Public Library Trustees president said if the council denied them the $58,000, the library would be forced to reduce services and possibly eliminate jobs.

Beth Arthur, president of the Trustees, said the library is counting on support form the state, but the city’s help is needed at the present time.

City manager Jeff Doherty said the actions to approve other funding requests Tuesday, such as $9,900 to the Carbondale Women’s Center, were only preliminary and cited Amtrak, SIUC’s declining enrollment and the area’s unemployment as reasons for a tight budget.

We are not certain of some final figures yet, and until we approve the final budget these are preliminary, Doherty said.

IDOT’s suggestions come after Illinois legislators were asked by Amtrak for a $2.5 million dollar subsidy to continue service of three trains routes, including the Illini, through June 30. Gov. Jim Edgar has said he will only support the train if a long-term solution is found. He has said he will not continue stop-gap spending such as the $2.5 million requested.

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Before the City Council meeting, the Carbondale Liquor Control Commission approved a liquor license transfer for a new business, approved an additional liquor license to another business and fined a third.

On the Island Pub, 717 S. University Ave., changed hands and will become the Chicago Underground Grill and Bar after the new owners, John and Susan Karayanis, were given a liquor license.

Pinch Penny Pub, 720 E. Grand Ave., received a Class B2 liquor license which allows a business to make all of its profits from alcohol for their new game room.

A.C. Reeds B&S Lounge, 213 E. Main St., received a $250 fine for operating without required insurance. The bar now has the insurance and must pay the fine or lose their city liquor license.