About Village of Ashkum
Who We Are
Ashkum is named for a Potawatomi chief. The Village is situated in Ashkum Township near the northwestern part of Iroquois County, having Milk's Grove and Chebanse north of it, the Iroquois river for its eastern boundary, Danforth on the south and Ford county on its west. The is just under one square mile located just south of the I-57 interchange with IL-116.
The town was laid out on railroad land, on section 28. It was formed from Chebanse and Onarga in March, 1857. Ashkum is positioned 40.87 degrees north of the equator and 87.95 degrees west of the prime meridian.
The village was laid out in 1856 with the first election being held in 1861. Less than 60 votes were cast in that very first election with Thomas Stump being elected the first Supervisor. H. R. Connel was elected clerk; A. J. Lake assessor, J. R. Smith and J. B. Wolcott justices of the peace
The main agricultural products are corn and soybeans.
The average temperature in January is 21 degrees farenheit.
The average temperature in July is 73 degrees farenheit.
The population is 800
Towns nearest to Ashkum include: Clifton, Chebanse, Danforth, Cullum, Gilman, Martinton, and Crescent City
Ashkum is located about halfway between Chicago and Champaign on
I-57. Chicago lies approx. 77 miles to the north and Champaign is approx. 61 miles to the south. The Ashkum/Pontiac exit is at mile marker 293. Other major routes that run through the village are Illinois Rte. 116 and US Rte. 45