Community News
Gillespie Council moves forward on new TIF district, tables action on Canna Theater for second time
Gillespie City Council members on Monday set a public hearing on a new proposed Tax Increment Financing district for 5:30 p.m., Monday, March 14, at Gillespie City Hall. Keith Moran of Moran Economic Development, participating in Monday’s meeting via phone, said the hearing will collect comments from interested parties, including persons living in the proposed district or within 750 feet of its boundaries.
Additionally, after a lengthy, sometimes contentious, discussion, the council tabled for the second time action on whether or not to accept the donation of the former Canna Theater from the Illinois Assemblies of God Church.
Moran told council members the boundaries of the Gillespie TIF 2 had been adjusted to include Big Brick Park at the request of Ald. Landon Pettit, chair of the council’s Parks Committee. Including the park required Moran to include other areas near the park to ensure that all portions of the district are contiguous. That expansion, Moran said, will not only expand the opportunity for capturing revenue for the district but also expand the area in which the city could pursue TIF-funded projects during the life of the TIF district.
Pettit specifically asked to include Big Brick Park last month, saying he hoped the city could use TIF funds for needed upgrades at the park. Later in Monday night’s meeting, he asked that the appropriation for parks be increased next year to authorize expenditures needed to upgrade the park. Replacing playground equipment, he noted, would cost a minimum of $24,000—a sum that far exceeds the annual appropriation for parks.
City Treasurer Dan Fisher said the city’s hands are tied because the tax levy for parks is restricted by tax caps. Mayor John Hicks suggested the possibility of creating a Park District as a separate taxing body, but Pettit suggested it would be difficult to get public support for a referendum. Likewise, according to Fisher, shifting a levy, such as the Municipal Band levy, to parks would not be possible without a public referendum.
The newly proposed district also is contiguous to an existing TIF district encompassing the downtown business district that is set to expire in 2026 if not renewed. Making the two districts contiguous, according to Moran, will facilitate transferring TIF funds from the old district to the new one when the old district is dissolved.
Moran said the new district is “residentially based,” focusing on developing lots currently owned by the city or school district on the west side of the city. Those lots currently are exempt from property taxes. Tax Increment Financing districts generate revenue by capturing increases in property tax collections within the district over the life of the TIF—meaning the total tax bill for formerly tax-exempt properties will go into the TIF purse.
Within the proposed TIF district, Moran said, there also are opportunities to upgrade sub-standard housing units, extend utilities into undeveloped areas to promote development and possibly spur commercial development on Broadway and Route 16 in the area of Community Unit School District 7 schools.
Moran also noted some undeveloped property on the south side of the city that is not currently within the city limits that could be included in the TIF district if the city chooses to annex those properties at a later date.
Once the city fulfills the public hearing requirement, it is expected the council will formally approve the TIF district map and plan, and submit a request for state approval to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
CANNA THEATER
The council again tabled action on whether or not to accept the donation of the former Canna Theater from the Illinois Assemblies of God Church organization.
Ald. Wendy Rolando, who chaired a committee to investigate the structural stability of the building and possible uses for it if the city takes possession, moved to accept the donation. Her motion, however, failed to secure a second.
“My concern is that we keep tabling and tabling and tabling,” Rolando said. “What I foresee happening if we don’t take it, the church has already told us they’re washing their hands of it. If we don’t take it, it’s going to continue to deteriorate and eventually it’s going to end up being our problem. I think it’s in the best interest of the city to accept the building.”
Two structural engineers have declared the building sound but the city is awaiting a report from a third engineer hired by the city to evaluate the building. Several aldermen said they were unwilling to vote for taking the building without having the report from the city’s engineer in hand.
“The only way I would vote for that,” said Ald. Bob Fritz, “is if the motion has a provision in it to raze the building if the engineer’s report says it needs to come down.”
“I understand wanting to see the report before we decide what we’re doing with it,” Rolando said, But she said the fate of the building is a secondary decision to be made after the city takes possession. “I think it’s a simple yes or no question. Then we can do steps two and three and four. We’ve waited and waited and waited and we have a town waiting for a decision.”
A preliminary plan for using the building calls for the potential expenditure of TIF funds to stabilize the structure, after which volunteers would be responsible for cosmetic work to facilitate the building becoming an entertainment venue. Ald. Fritz reported Monday night that volunteers have been already working in the building despite the city having not yet taken possession.
“Once we take it, it’s going to be secured and nobody is getting in,” Mayor Hicks said, noting the city would be liable for any injuries sustained by the volunteer workers.
City Treasurer Dan Fisher said that because of the current condition of the building the city probably would be able to buy liability insurance only, and would not be able to purchase property insurance. He said an engineer hired by the city is expected to examine the building before the end of the month but questioned whether or not the engineer’s report would be available in time for the council’s February meeting. “We might have it in time,” he said, “we may not.”
“I think we’re too short-sighted,” Fisher said of the council’s resistance to investing TIF funds in the project. “We have a good track record of taking buildings no one else wanted and turning them into something positive.” He cited the Maple Street Clinic and the Illinois Coal Museum as examples of “white elephants” that have become assets.
Still, Ald. Bill Hayes objected to the idea of spending TIF money on the theater, saying those funds might be better used to encourage Randy’s Market to reopen.
“Aren’t we getting the cart before the horse?” Ald. Dona Rauzi asked. “Our first step is to accept the building and then decide the next step.”
Ultimately, Mayor Hicks and some aldermen successfully argued that the decision should be delayed pending receipt of the engineer’s report. They seemingly suggested the current owner should be held responsible for the cost of demolishing the building if the engineer’s report indicates the building is unsafe.
“It could be a very viable venue for entertainment,” Hicks said, “but we need that engineer’s report. Get the report first. If the report says it’s not worth a nickel, then we go to the church and say it’s a derelict building and it’s up to you to do something with it.”
Earlier in the meeting, city resident Kelly Hatlee addressed the council in favor of accepting the building. “I think it’s in the best interest of the city to take it now when no cost is involved, rather than have to fight for it in court later,” Hatlee said.
The council also tabled action on an ordinance to raise city water rates and resolutions to increase sewage rates for East Gillespie and Eagarville. City Attorney Dan O’Brien said he discovered after the items were added to the agenda that the city’s contracts with its satellite water and sewer customers require a public hearing prior to taking final action. Upon his recommendation, the council set a public hearing on the issues at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 14, immediately prior to the council’s next regularly scheduled meeting.
WATER ISSUES
The council took no action on a request from Tim Loveless to waive tap-on fees for a home he is buying on Henrietta Street. As part of the closing, Loveless said, it was discovered the city had a lien against the property for an unpaid water bill. Loveless said he paid the lien as part of the closing costs, but also found there was no water service to the home.
Loveless said the Deputy City Clerk told him the house was skipped during the city’s extensive water infrastructure replacement project because the house was vacant at the time. She told him he would have to pay a $350 tap-on fee to restore water service to the residence.
“I wouldn’t say I’m here to dispute that but it doesn’t seem right,” Loveless said. He pointed out that he gave the city an easement for water lines on other property in Gillespie at no charge and paid off past due bills for several houses he has purchased in the past.
City Treasurer Fisher told Loveless the USDA rules allowed workers to only connect houses that were currently occupied. He said there were several houses that were not connected in addition to the one on Henrietta Street. USDA financed the project through its Rural Development program. “We could only connect houses that would be generating revenue to pay back the loan,” Fisher said.
While making no formal decision, the council left the door open to consider waiving the fee.
“I think we could work with him if he pays the old bill,” Ald. Pettit said, noting the $400 past due bill exceeds the $350 tap-on fee.
“The first step is to pay the old bill,” Fisher said.
Loveless said he paid the old bill as part of his closing costs and that the city should soon receive a check from the title company.
In other action related to the Water Department, the council:
- Voted to pay a $7,671.60 bill to Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc., for engineering work related to planned improvements at the water treatment plant.
- Agreed to spend $24,500 for new blow down control panel at the water treatment plant, provided the equipment meets the approval of the engineer.
- Agreed to pay a $175 registration fee, plus lodging expenses and per diem, for Dave Pickett and Mark Bertolis to attend a three-day water conference in Effingham.
Ald. Pettit also reported that a preliminary “dry-run” to read water meters remotely was successful and the Water Department has switched to radio reading of meters. The meter reading process will now take one day, compared with the two-week period manual reading required. Consequently, Pettit said, some customers may see fluctuations in their monthly water bills.
TALLMAN LEASE
The council directed City Attorney O’Brien to approach Adam Tallman with a proposal to purchase a parking lot area behind the Police Department after O’Brien revealed that terms of a lease-to-own agreement had been changed after Tallman consulted with his bank. Originally, Tallman had offered to lease the property at a cost of $500 per month with the lease payments applied to the purchase of the lot at the end of the lease.
O’Brien said a new agreement offered by Tallman called for a two-year lease at a cost of $500 a month with an option to purchase at the end of the lease. The lease payments, however, would not have applied to the purchase.
Mayor Hicks said he’d be unwilling to commit the city to two years of lease payments “and have nothing to show for it.”
“At this point, I think we let him take it back,” Hicks said. “We’ve already put money into it.” He asked O’Brien to pursue the possibility of an outright purchase.
YOGA SESSIONS
The council informally granted permission for Candi Katchmar to use the Civic Center for weekly yoga classes. She told council members she tentatively planned to offer the hour-long classes at 4:30 p.m. on Mondays.
She said the program would be offered on a donation basis to cover her expenses, similar to a yoga class she currently offers in Benld.
“We have four or five participants in Benld but I anticipate more interest as the weather gets warmer and word gets around,” she said.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Voted unanimously to hire Dean Anderson as a full-time police officer.
- Adopted an ordinance formally adopting redrawn boundaries for the city’s four wards. Last month, City Attorney O’Brien outlined the boundary adjustments that were required to more precisely equalize the population in each ward on the basis of the 2020 census.
- Agreed to pay for sending a part-time police officer for state police academy training once a part-time candidate is hired.
- Authorized city workers to remove a deteriorating concrete wall at the Gillespie Lake Beach, authorized Lake Manager Gary Thornhill to seek bids for electrical work at the lake and approved expenditure of up to $1,500 to replace the decking on the Lake Department’s work boat.
- Approved a resolution to increase non-union employee wages by the same percentage as approved for union workers, with a provision ensuring that all wages are in compliance with minimum wage laws in the future.
- Approved payment of $3,471.37 from the TIF fund to Verticchio Law Offices, representing a facade improvement grant. The amount authorized represents 50 percent of the project’s total cost.
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Representatives of a food management company pitched their vision for reshaping school lunch and breakfast offerings at Community Unit School District 7 schools during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education. Later, however, the head cook at BenGil Elementary School expressed doubts about what the company promised to deliver. “They make it sound like it’s all a gravy train,” said Jackie McKinney. “It’s not.”
No action followed a 20-minute presentation by Bill Fritcher, Business Development Associate, and Angie Eden, a food service worker, from Opaa! Food Management, Inc., Chesterfield, Mo. There was no clear indication whether the board or district administration is leaning toward contracting with the company.
Founded in 1978, Opaa! Provides food management services to more than 800 schools in 250 school districts spread out over seven states. The company serves 21 schools in Illinois, including the nearby Staunton, Litchfield, Jersey and Nokomis school districts. The company claims a 97 percent retention rate among its client schools.
Fritcher, a former administrator in the Neoga school district, said the company emphasizes home-cooked foods made from scratch. Opaa! provides both hot and cold entrees, and schools can tailor offerings to meet their needs and budgets. Hot entrees include items such as roast turkey, meatloaf, cheeseburgers, pizzas and spaghetti. The company also serves a variety of cold sub sandwiches. Again, depending upon the details of its contract with a school district, the company can provide a salad bar, along with fresh fruit.
Breakfast offerings can include hot or cold cereal, waffles, biscuits and gravy, and breakfast burritos. Some client schools offer a “breakfast on the go” option where students can grab a breakfast item during the mid-morning hours of the school day. As part of its service, Opaa! would provide an all-day “Gulp Station” with dispensers of lemonade, iced tea and water.
“There’s a lot of local control over menu items,” Fritcher said. “If a school doesn’t want us serving coffee to students, we don’t serve coffee.”
Fritcher said the school district would continue to set pricing for school lunches and breakfasts, collect payments and control the revenue stream. The district also would continue to own food service equipment and facilities. At a minimum, Opaa! would place it’s own employee as a food service manager, but other food service workers can be either Opaa! employees or employees of the school district. In either case, the school district would have final say over who is allowed to work in the school district.
“You’d have control of who is working in the school and is around your kids,” Fritcher said.
According to Fritcher, the company emphasizes presentation.
“We want the food to look good so kids will eat it,” he said. “We strive to make it enjoyable for the kids.”
Client schools submit photos of daily offerings to the home office for approval, Eden said. As an example, she cited an instance when she submitted a photo from Neoga that included broccoli as a side item. The home office said the broccoli looked too brown and demanded it be replaced with fresher produce.
Fritcher said the company employees an executive chef to create recipes and standards for food served to students. The chef has created a number of streaming videos used to train on site staff.
Key to the operation is a computer program for food management. Eden said the program monitors what food the district has in the freezer and pantry, and adjust menus to best utilize resources on hand. The program also provides a portal parents and students can access to see weekly menus.
A food management contract would be subject to state bidding requirements, according to Fritcher. To start the process, the district would create a Request for Proposals to solicit bids. If Opaa! Is the successful bidder, the company would offer a five-year fixed price agreement, renewable on an annual basis. Either party would be able to end the contract upon a 90-day notice.
During a public comment period, McKinney alleged Opaa!’s promises have not matched reality in nearby school districts. The head cook at Litchfield, she pointed out, quit soon after Opaa! took over. Pizzas and some other food items, she said, do not match the company’s claims.
“We were told this is not about the money, it’s about the choices,” she said. “If you want more options, someone needs to tell us.”
McKinney said she has been employed by the district in food services since 2002. The proposal to hire an outside food management company, she said, comes as “a slap in the face.”
McKinney predicted problems if the district contracts with Opaa!, particularly in the elementary school.
“I don’t see how our kindergarteners are going to be able to carry their own tray and serve themselves,” she said. “They’re going to drop their trays. We get our kids through the serving line in five minutes so they have time to sit down and eat. When they have to make their own tray, how long do you think that’s going to take?”
McKinney also predicted issues with food sanitation when young children with runny noses and/or dirty hands are expected to serve themselves from the food line.
McKinney said an outside company cannot be expected to know local students like local food service workers know them.
“I watch for a little boy who comes through my line every day because I know he doesn’t get food at home like he does here,” she said. “We’re here for the kids and I don’t think these people are.”
In a somewhat related matter which could facilitate transitioning to an outside food service, the board accepted with “regret” the retirements of head high school/middle school cook Penny Feeley and GHS/GMS cook Janice Hammann, both effective on June 30.
PERSONNEL
The board took action on a number of personnel issues following an executive session of about one hour.
In separate actions, the board voted unanimously to rehire the following fourth-year teachers and grant them tenure for the 2024-25 school year: Nikki Jenner, Katie Lievers, Alex Newton, Pete Visintin and Jacob West.
The following non-tenured staff were hired for the 2024-25 school year: school nurse Rachel Bouillon, fifth grade teacher Radeana Gentzyel, speech pathologist Kaylee Collins, special education teacher Jaiden Braundmeier, kindergarten teacher Jessica Yeager, fist grade teacher Sydney Owsley, band teacher Brad Taulbee, chorus teacher Ben McCullough, Tim Biggs, special education teacher Cory Bonstead, and Dalton Barnes.
On a motion by Peyton Bernot, seconded by Mark Hayes, the board rehired the following tenured teachers for 2024-25: Lorraine Strutner, Jody Dunn, Melissa Bussmann, Tracy Hostettler, Darrick Urban, Kara Saracco, Kelly Lyons, Holly Nejmanowski, Jennifer Parker, Anastasia Hobaugh, Cate Plovich, Amy Price, Nickie Barrett, Jessi Luketich, Mindy Savant, Karissa Smith, Beth Sees, Valerie Jubelt, Carrie Scott, Dana Tieman, Marcia Johns, Colleen Favre, Celia Jubelt, Jamie Schmidt, Nancy Schmidt, Lori Emmons, Vanessa Barrett, Amy Geddes, Lisa Ballinger, Amber Allan, Kim Henderson, Christina Blevins, Chase Peterson, Jessica Kelly, Tammy Garde, Nate Heinrich’s, Casey Edgerton, Kyle Lamar, Stephanie Wilson, Elizabeth Thackery, Shanna Conner, Matthew Browner, Jeremy Smith, Rachelle Prough, Jarrod Herron, Jill Stole, Korben Clark, Kayla Wills, Nikki Browner, Kevin McNichols, Katie Orange, Robert Macias, Casey Sholtis, Jennifer Brown, Jeff Nelhs, Mark Goldasich, Troy Barker, Michelle Smith, Holley McFarland, Michael Bertagnolli, Mary Schuette, Nichole Stoecker, Amy Goldasich, David Edgerton, Ashlee Gibbs, Stuart Ringer, Kelly Bully, Whitney Page and Stephanie Bray.
The board accepted “with regret” the retirement of BenGil Elementary teacher Dana Tieman, effective at the end of the 2027-28 school year. The board also accepted “with regret” the resignation for purposes of retirement of GMS paraprofessional Ella May Roemer, effective at the end of the 2024 fiscal year, and posted the position as vacant.
Board members accepted the resignation of high school paraprofessional Darian Gill, and posted the position as vacant. The board also accepted Gill’s resignation at the GHS/GMS cheerleading coach and posted that position as vacant.
Board members unanimously agreed to post vacancies for the following summer school positions: high school math, English and drivers’ education; middle school math, English and science; and six elementary positions. Additionally, the board posted two summer school food service positions.
The board accepted “with regret” the resignation of long-time GHS head women’s basketball coach Kevin Gray, and posted the position as vacant. The board also accepted the resignation of Korbin Clark as GMS seventh-grade basketball coach and posted the position as vacant.
The board voted unanimously to appoint Elizabeth Eaker as a volunteer assistant dance coach, pending verification of certification and a background check. In separate actions, the board agreed to appoint Foley Seferi and James Bryant a volunteer assistant high school football coaches, pending verification of certification and a background check.
By a unanimous vote, the board accepted the resignation of district custodian Owen Parker, and posted the position as vacant. The board also voted to post vacancies for two full-route bus drivers for the 2024-25 school year, and hired Billie Bowles as a substitute bus driver, pending verification of certification and a background check.
REPAVING
The board awarded a $62,524 contract to DeLaurent Construction Co., Inc., Wilsonville, to repave five district parking lots. DeLaurent was the low bidder for the project. The contract will be paid from proceeds of a $1.6 million alternate revenue bond sale for capital projects.
Supt. Shane Owsley reported that he is starting to gather estimates for other upcoming projects to be underwritten with bond revenue, including a project to refinish the high school gym floor, a project to reline the all-weather track and a major HVAC project.
SURPLUS WEIGHT ROOM EQUIPMENT
On Owsley’s recommendation, the board accepted a list of surplus weight room equipment and agreed to offer the equipment for sale via sealed bids. The equipment, which includes stationary bikes, running machines, free weights, benches, dumbbells and racks, was replaced with new equipment as part of a recently completed project to renovate and re-equip the weight room.
EARLY GRADUATION REQUESTS
On a motion by Bill Carter, seconded by Weye Schmidt, the board unanimously approved early graduation requests for Maria Alger, Eliana Barrios-Madison, Owen Baugh, Gage Bonds, Abby Carter, John Q. Halterman, Eva Hidden, Felicia Lambert, Emma Luckshis, Ashley Markulakis, McKenna Montoro, Kaden Reiffer, Abigail Sharp, Jayden Stangle, Cooper Wentler, Ashton Whitlow and Avery Young. The students will be allowed to graduate at the end of their eleventh year of high school at the end of the current school year, provided all graduation requirements have been met.
DISTRICT FOCUS
During a District Focus segment, the board recognized high school women’s basketball coach Kevin Gray, who is retiring after a career of 16 seasons. High School Principal Jill Rosentreter noted that Gray led this year’s team to the Sectional Tournament in Beardstown after winning their first regional championship since 2012. The team also won its first County Tournament since 2002, and celebrated 26 wins—the most ever.
During the Carlinville Rotary’s All-Star Game, Gray was named Rotary’s Coach of the Year.
“On behalf of CUSD 7 and all you former players, we express much gratitude for your many years of service, dedication, leadership, wisdom and professional demeanor on and off the court,” Rosentreter told Gray.
Also during the District Focus, a group of fifth graders told the board about their recent field trip to Busch Stadium, where they learned about practical math applications and other subjects.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the board:
- Gave final approval to the 2024-25 school calendar, calling for the first day of school attendance on Aug. 14 with the last day of school set for May 29, or earlier if no emergency days are used.
- Approved a schedule of board meeting dates for the coming year. The board will meet in executive session at 6 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month with the open session beginning at 7 p.m. The December meeting is set one week earlier on Dec. 16 to avoid conflict with the winter break.
- Awarded the annual bid to supply fuel to low bidder M & M Service Co., Carlinville.
- Voted to renew the district’s annual membership in the Illinois High School Association.
- Rescheduled the April board meeting from Monday, April 22, to Tuesday, April 23, to avoid a conflict.
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SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Elm Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Biddle Street in reference to child abuse.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of East Walnut Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to Madison Street and Wilson Street in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of East Chestnut Street in Benld in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was out in the 400 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a security check.
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of LJ Avenue in reference to a domestic battery. Regan M. Treadway, 22, of Hillsboro was arrested for domestic battery.
Gillespie Police Department assisted the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department with a criminal investigation.
An officer was dispatched to the 900 block of South Madison Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of East Burton Street in reference to an ordinance issue of illegal burning. Charles H. Daubman, 62, of Gillespie was issued a citation for illegal burning.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Harding Avenue in East Gillespie in reference to a noise complaint.
An officer during normal patrol in the 100 block of South 7th Street in Benld noticed a trunk open on a vehicle. The officer made contact with the owners and they secured the trunk after checking it.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of North 4th Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male in reference to illegal dumping.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Hickory in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South 2nd Street in Benld in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Easton Street in reference to a civil standby.
The School Resource Officer called in requesting assistance in reference to a female student that had left the school.
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Madison Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer was dispatched to Route 4 by the nursing home to check on a person on a bike with no lights.
An officer was dispatched to Maple Street and Route 138 in Benld in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of East Spruce Street in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Gillespie Street in reference to juvenile issues.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Walnut Street in reference to a dog at large.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 300 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to an animal complaint.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2024
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and 2nd Street in Benld. Logan G. Lawson, 22, of Roodhouse was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer initiated a traffic stop in the 200 block of North Hard Road in Mt. Clare. David E. Schmidt, 46, of Staunton was issued citations for speeding, expired registration, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Spruce Street in reference to illegal parking.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Jersey Street in reference to an open line 911 call.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Broadway Street and LJ Avenue. Candace N. Carlen, 36, of New Douglas was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a theft in the 200 block of West Oak Street.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious noise.
An officer was dispatched to West Dorsey Street and South Kentucky Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Biddle Street in reference to a medical assist.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and Main Street in Benld. Esha V. Bhatt, 30, of Edwardsville was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and Main Street in Benld. Nicole L Richey, 34, of Wilsonville was issued a citation for speeding and expired registration.
THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South 4th Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of 9th Street in Benld in reference to a suicidal subject
An officer was out with a suspicious person at Main Street and Spruce Street in Benld.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Elm Street. Walter L. Vester, 29, of Gillespie was arrested on a Glenn Carbon warrant for larceny.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Broadway Street and LJ Avenue. Jordan L. Jett, 23, of Hillsboro was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Litchfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to aggravated assault. Levi T. Kroll, 34, of Carlinville was arrested for aggravated assault, criminal damage to property, and operation of a vehicle with suspended registration.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of North 5th Street in Benld in reference to a theft.
An officer was dispatched to LJ Avenue where multiple vehicles were parked in a no-parking zone. After multiple announcements asking them to move, two vehicles remained and received citations. Jeromy J Moore, 47, of Greenfield and Matthew E. Raffety, 52, of Bunker Hill were issued citations for parking in a no-parking zone.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to a domestic battery. Mitchela P. Zbornak, 34, of Gillespie was arrested for domestic battery.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Wilson Street in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Madison Street in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of West Oak Street in reference to an ordinance issue for illegal burning.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Oak Street in reference to a possible burglary.
The School Resource Officer called in reckless driving in the high school parking lot.
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2024
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 900 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to retail theft and criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to Illinois Street and Kentucky Street in Benld in reference to a loud vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to a suspicious person.
SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Oak Street in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Chestnut Street in reference to a 911 hang-up call.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of East Oak for a 911 untraceable call the officers checked the area and were unable to find an emergency.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Illinois Street in Benld in reference to a medical assist.
An officer was dispatched to down wires at Dorsey Road and 1st Street in Mt. Clare. Ameren was contacted to remove the wiring.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Community News
Denby wins judicial nomination in three-way race; Trump, Biden top choices for Macoupin voters
Carlinville attorney Thomas Denby easily sailed to victory in a three-way race to be nominated as the Republican candidate for Resident Seventh Judicial Circuit Court Judge in Macoupin County in Tuesday’s Primary Election balloting.
Denby captured 63.26 percent of the Republican vote, easily besting Jonathan Verticchio’s 23.46 percent and Aaron Bellm’s 13.28 percent. In terms of raw vote numbers, Denby landed 2,534 votes to Verticchio’s 940 votes and Bellm’s 532 votes.
There were no judicial candidates for the race on the Democrat side of the ballot.
As a result of Tuesday’s election, Denby is likely to step into the office being vacated Resident Circuit Judge Kenneth Deihl, who was first elected as a Democrat in 2006, when he narrowly defeated Republican nominee Kevin Polo. It’s unclear whether or not the Democrat Central Committee can legally name a candidate to run against Denby in the General Election this fall, meaning Denby is the likely successor to Deihl.
There were no surprises locally in the Presidential races. Macoupin Democrats favored incumbent Joe Biden with 89.62 percent of the vote, while Republicans cast 83.39 percent of their votes for former President Donald Trump.
Although no longer a candidate, Nikki Haley gained 12.18 percent of the Republican vote. Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie and Ryan Brinkley each took less than three percent of the Republican vote. On the Democrat side, Biden’s support was eroded by 10.28 percent of the vote shared by Dean Phillips, Marianne Williamson and Frank Lozada.
A total of 5,741 voters cast votes in the Macoupin Primary, representing 18.67 percent of the county’s 30,757 registered voters. That could indicate a softening of interest in the Biden/Trump rematch. In 2016, when Trump and Hilary Clinton were nominated, a stunning 45.82 percent of Macoupin’s voters cast ballots in the primary election. Four years later, 23.54 percent of the county’s voters participated in the primary, despite restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the Republican nomination for U.S. Congressional Representative for the 13th District, Joshua Loyd took 57.28 percent of the Macoupin vote, compared with 42.72 percent for Thomas Clatterback. The Congressional vote mirrored voting district-wide in which Loyd took the nomination with 55.9 percent of the total vote. Loyd will take on freshman Representative Nikki Budzinski on the Democrat side, who ran unopposed for the nomination.
A number of county races were unopposed. On the Democrat side, incumbent Jordan Garrison took 1,387 votes for State’s Attorney, while incumbent Coroner Anthony Kravanya took 1,471 Democrat votes. On the Republican side Amy J. Ashby took 3,448 votes to be nominated for Circuit Clerk. Ashby becomes the likely successor to Democrat Lee Ross who is stepping down.
Though not likely, both parties could name candidates to run for county offices in November. Otherwise Garrison, Kravanya and Ashby will run unopposed for the General Election. A win by Ashby would make her the second Republican constitutional officer in the Courthouse. Two years ago, County Treasurer Amber McGartland became the first Republican elected to a Courthouse office since A.C. “Julie” Bartulis served as Treasurer in the 1960s.
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