Downtown Gillespie was buzzing on Saturday, May 14 thanks to an effort by Grow Gillespie and the Central Illinois Corvette Club. Beautiful weather allowed the day’s festivities to go off without a problem starting with an 5k walk and run. The spring chicken-themed 3.1 mile walk and run took place throughout town starting near the […]
Gillespie Council eyes derelict properties
With a new city attorney in place, the Gillespie City Council on Monday night voted to draft a resolution dealing with public nuisance properties and heard from a group of Gillespie Middle School students advocating for volunteerism to address community issues. Early in the meeting, Mayor John Hicks introduced Rick Verticchio as his appointment to […]
School Board names successor for Alepra
Two weeks after accepting the resignation of Vice President Jenni Alepra from the board, the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night named Amanda Ross, Gillespie, as Alepra’s successor and elected Weye Schmidt as the board’s new Vice President. Alepra resigned last month after nearly two decades of service to the […]
Italian American Days returns in 2022
The Italian Club of Benld, a non-profit organization, would like to invite everyone to the Benld City Park on May 27, 28, and 29 to celebrate the 68th Annual Italian-American Days Festival. The festival is known throughout the state of Illinois for its Italian foods and games. The festival was canceled in 2020 and 2021 […]
School board member Alepra resigns
Community Unit School District 7’s Board of Education on Monday night accepted the resignation of a long-serving member and approved a new class schedule for the 2022-23 school year designed to provide additional instruction time without increasing the amount of time teachers are on the clock. Board President Mark Hayes said it was “with a […]
Benld sells surplus property for potential commercial development
Members of the Benld City Council on Monday night voted unanimously to accept Derek Tiburzi’s high bid of $30,000 for six lots formerly occupied by First National Bank in the 200 block of East Central Avenue. The two-story brick structure that formerly occupied the site was razed by the city last month. Tiburzi submitted the […]
Macoupin County’s most famous citizen
Macoupin County’s most famous citizen has plenty of places named in his honor. John M. Palmer, who served as governor of Illinois, U.S. Senator, and Civil War major general, left a formidable legacy in state political history. Palmer lived in Carlinville from 1838-1867 and while many locals know little of him, his memory lingers in various […]
Gillespie Council moves forward with TIF district, votes to approve skidsteer purchase
Members of the Gillespie City Council on Monday night voted unanimously to approve ordinances creating the city’s second Tax Increment Financing District, approved a five percent increase in water rates charged to satellite water customers, and approved a controversial purchase of a Bobcat skidsteer along with new tread tracks for the machine. In separate actions, […]
Staunton Area Ambulance among grant recipients
The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced today the recipients of the 2022 Small Equipment Grant Program. A total of $2.5 million was awarded to 104 fire departments/districts and EMS providers across the state. The program was established to provide grants of up to $26,000 each for the purchase of small firefighting […]
Benld Council approves union contract, offers condemned properties for sale
Members of the Benld City Council on Monday night approved a three-year contract with the Laborers Union covering the city’s three maintenance workers and voted to offer for sale three properties on Central Avenue that are or soon will be in the city’s possession. Without taking formal action, the council also agreed to make Benld […]
TIF district consultant fields questions during public hearing
The Gillespie City Council took another significant step toward establishing a new Tax Increment Financing district, conducting a public hearing on the issue prior to Monday night’s regular council meeting. The hearing, a required step before formally establishing the district, was scheduled for 30 minutes but Keith Moran of Moran Economic Development, Edwardsville, fielded questions […]
County final multiplier announced
SPRINGFIELD, IL, – Macoupin County has been issued a final property assessment equalization factor of 1.0000, according to David Harris, Director of the Illinois Department of Revenue. The property assessment equalization factor, often called the “multiplier”, is the method used to achieve uniform property assessments among counties, as required by law. This equalization is particularly important because […]
Lincoln Land Association of Bird Banders seeking volunteers
Lincoln Land Association of Bird Banders (LLABB) is looking for new volunteers to assist with our bird banding operations. A volunteer orientation session will be offered on Wednesday, March 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the Trutter Center on the Lincoln Land Community College Campus in Springfield. LLABB is a group of dedicated and licensed banders […]
Gillespie library hosting annual quilt show entire month of April
The Gillespie Public Library is hosting their annual quilt show during the month of April. The bibrary welcomes all quilts to be displayed for viewing. Please drop off quilts during the week of March 28- 31. Viewing would be available during the entire month of April. Call the library with any questions at 217-839-3614.
School board renews building principals’ contracts, tables action on renewing skyward software
Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night recognized this year’s crop of Illinois State Scholars, heard an extensive presentation regarding the school district’s bond status, and agreed to hire an area accounting firm to conduct the district’s annual audit. But the board balked at renewing a contract with […]
Amid anticipated increasing costs, Benld Council moves to seek bid for sewer improvement project
With expected increases in the cost of materials, members of the Benld City Council voted unanimously to seek bids for an extensive sewer improvement project on the city’s east side. The city has been approved for a $505,000 Community Development matching grant administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The city is […]
Gillespie City Council rejects Canna Theater offer
After months of sometimes acrimonious debate, the Gillespie City Council on Monday night voted 4-3 to reject the Assembly of God Church’s offer to transfer ownership of the deteriorating Canna Theater to the city. Ald. Dona Rauzi cast the deciding vote, saying she was “torn” between accepting or rejecting the offer. Despite the vote, Mayor […]
Back in time: Bill Parmentier’s 1964-65 basketball team one of the best in school’s history
This article was written by the late Andy Easton featured in Gillespie Area News in 2002, contributed to TheBenGilPost.com by Steve Joyce at the Gillespie Public Library Coach Bill Parmentier’s 1964-65 Gillespie Miner basketball team has to rank as one of the best teams in our school’s history. The Miners finished the season with a […]
Winter storm warning issued for BenGil area
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the BenGil area, southwestern Illinois, and the St. Louis area. The warning was issued early Tuesday taking effect at midnight tonight until noon on Thursday, February 3 calling for a “wet, heavy” snow. The forecast also calls for ice prompting a warning about possible […]
Gillespie church hosting valentine dinner
Treat your loved one to a special evening at the First United Methodist Church of Gillespie on Saturday, February 12. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is at 6:00 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. The meal consists of homemade lasagna, garlic bread, salad, dessert, and drink. Call Rick Spencer at 217-621-0333 for […]
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