Community News
Gillespie Council wants to add beer to lake store, discusses recent security issues
Council agrees to pay UCB $98,029
Alderman Steve Kluthe explains there needs to be security at Gillespie Lake.
Mayor John Hicks suggested adding beer to the store at Gillespie Lake during a regular business meeting on Monday, July 14. The store currently sells ice, soda and other fishing items, but Hicks said he would like to see beer in the store as well. “That way, people who may have had a few drinks are not driving into town,” Mayor Hicks explained. “Not hard liquor, just beer,” he later clarified.
Hicks also reported the store is doing a lot better since they added a credit card machine. Following the success, the council is going to investigate how much an extra line would cost because the credit card machine is causing interference on the current phone line.
Alderman Steve Kluthe added to the lake discussion saying security should be a top concern with the traffic and store out there, and especially if the lake gets an ATM. “There has been burglaries and we need to discuss this further during our committee meeting this month,” he added. Kluthe continued by saying there should be security personnel like the lake used to have.
The council agreed with Kluthe saying the security personnel would just report to county or city police. “We just need eyes and ears out there,” he closed. In the past, security personnel were reimbursed for their gas and given a discount on their boat license. “It used to work out well,” Hicks explained.
Council pays UCB out of TIF Fund
City attorney Kevin Polo and the city council discussed reimbursing United Community Bank out of the TIF District account. According to Polo, the reimbursement would be pursuant to the redevelopment agreement the city had with UCB. Back in 2005, UCB submitted a request for payment of $498,155, but the TIF fund had less than $30,000 in the account.
“In other words, we are contractually bound to pay back the money UCB paid us through the TIF district up to the development cost,” Polo explained, “And they have paid over $98,029 thus far. In other words, that is $98,000 we would not have if UCB was not paying taxes into the TIF fund.” The council unanimously approved reimbursing UCB $98,029.
Polo said the city is bringing in roughly $20,000 a year in real estate taxes from UCB. “The monies in the TIF will never add up to full reimbursement for UCB, but it will still be a substantial contribution for them,” he continued. “The TIF district will most likely lapse before they are ever fully reimbursed for the mortgage processing facility.”
Right now, the city is contractually bound to pay UCB $98,029 and just under $20,000 each year until the end of the TIF district’s life. Dan Fisher, the city treasurer, confirmed the city will have over $300,000 in the TIF fund after the payment to UCB and the income this year. “We let it build up on purpose because under the enabling agreement, we can’t incur debt,” Fisher added, “We had to let to grow to be used on any meaningful project.”
Public Recognition
Larry Norville of the ambulance service greeted the council with a $4,000 donation for next year’s dispatching service. He mentioned the membership rate was raised from $7 to $10, but the rate hike didn’t provide additional income as younger citizens didn’t bother joining. Norville said he hopes the ambulance service can afford to give the city $4,000 next year again.
Bob Fritz complained to the council about his neighbor who filled the ditch and now the water from the neighbor’s property is running off into Fritz’s sewer. Alderman Jerry Doliger added to his complaint, saying the water is backing up everything and a new culvert needs put in. Mayor Hicks advised Doliger to turn the complaint over to the street department.
Kent Frensko questioned if the city would slope his backyard to prevent water from sitting in the alley. He said he talked to the city clerk’s office and the path behind his house is still considered an alley. He even offered to pay for the grass seed if the city would do the work. Alderman Doliger assured him the work would get done.
New Business
The council unanimously hired Jim Graves as water department employee and Dean Dondi as water plant operator. They later approved a $50 donation to the TAILS golf tournament.
The council also decided to put the water meter bills in the renter’s name rather than the house owner’s name so any unpaid balance goes with the renter and not to the owner.
Bid Agreements
The council opened bids for the 62 chairs deemed as surplus property and motioned to go with Abby Koshak’s bid of $75. They also opened bids for the civic center roof repair and unanimously voted to enter into an agreement with Jourdain Roofing Company of Godfrey, IL after accepting their bid of $4,294.
They also opened bids for mowing the lawns on foreclosed properties in the city, but Alderman Kluthe wanted to make sure the contractor is insured and bonded because any damages would come back to the city if the contractor wasn’t insured. The council decided to form a grass cutting committee to communicate with the lawn contractor, the ordinance officer and the maintenance chairman.
Lake Transfers
The council unanimously approved the following lake lot transfers: Lake Lot #3 on Pump House Road to Scott Cope, Lake Lot #2 on Walnut Lane to Jared Herron, 414 and 415 Farely Lane to James Turney and Lake Lot #348 to Robert Lloyd.
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The Wilsonville Progressive Club will celebrate and host a 90 year Anniversary Party on Saturday, May 11. The party will include a catered dinner, a live band, and fireworks.
Doors will open at 2 pm with a catered dinner being served at 4 pm. The Shane Kessinger Experience (live band) will play at 5 pm, and a grand fireworks display will be held at dusk.
The Progressive Club was originally established in 1934 by the Progressive Miners and was located on the northwest side of Wilsonville’s main street. The Club moved to their new building in January of 1949 and today this is still the current location at 212 Wilson Street in Wilsonville.
Wilsonville was founded in 1917 when Superior Coal Co. Mine No. 4 was sunk and this was the most modern mine in the Superior field. At that time, the little settlement which grew up around the mine was called Wilson. One day a worker paused and asked, “What are we going to name this town?” President Wilson was in office, thus the town was then and there named Wilson until 1919 when it was incorporated and the name expanded to Wilsonville.
The Wilsonville Progressive Club is operated and maintained by an elected panel of trustees and loyal members. The Club is open to the public and membership is always welcome. The large outdoor covered pavilion and manicured grassy side lot offer an attractive and convenient venue for any event along with inside facilities.
If you are interested in renting for any kind of event, call 217-835-3122 during open hours which are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 4 pm to close, and Sunday doors open at 2 pm. Every Sunday afternoon at 4 pm is the Queen of Hearts drawing and the Club is on Facebook as well.
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SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Oak Street in reference to a dog bite.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street to pick up a found item.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Chestnut Street in reference to a burglary.
An officer was out in the 200 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to a motorist assist.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Schmidt Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South 1st Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Broadway Street in reference to a medical call.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of South Illinois Street in Benld in reference to illegal burning.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South 5th Street in Benld in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Horizon Street in reference to a 911 call.
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2024
An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male in reference to a theft in the 100 block of South Main Street in Benld.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of West Osie Street in reference to a violation of an order of protection.
Nicholas O. Landolt, 36, of Gillespie was arrested on multiple warrants including one out of St. Clair County for possession for methamphetamine, a second one out of Montgomery County for failure to appear for driving while license was revoked, and a third out of Macoupin County for failure to appear for methamphetamine.
An officer was dispatched to East Walnut Street in reference to a suspicious noise.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Broadway Street in reference to a medical alarm.
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 spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to criminal damage to her property.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to identity theft.
An officer spoke with a female in the 100 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a neighbor dispute.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a violation of an order of protection.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Southern Street in reference to a suspicious person.
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 1100 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 900 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to criminal trespass to property. Melissa J. Hughes, 49, of Benld was arrested on a Montgomery County warrant for theft/larceny.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Francis Street in reference to a traffic crash.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue in the 700 block of Rose Street in Benld.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South 5th Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Pine Street to assist the Department of Children and Family Services.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Broadway Street in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Central Avenue in Benld in reference to a 911 call.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2024
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to fraud in the 200 block of South Macoupin.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to Route 4 and Staunton Road in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Gillespie Street in reference to unwanted solicitors.
An officer was dispatched to High Street and Gillespie Street in reference to a suspicious noise.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of High Street in reference to unwanted solicitors.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was flagged down at Elm Street and Clinton Street and spoke with an individual in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Mt. Olive Road in Eagarville in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a suspicious circumstance.
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2024
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a panic alarm sounding.
An officer was dispatched to the 1300 block of South Second Street in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Osie Street in reference to a dog bite. Heather L. Kimberlin, 47, of Gillespie was issued a citation for dog at large.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Baker Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was out with a suspicious vehicle in the alley in the 500 block of Park Avenue.
An officer was dispatched to East Walnut and South Main Street in Benld in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the Veterans Memorial Park in Benld in reference to a suspicious vehicle that had been parked there for a couple of days.
Gillespie Police Department was requested for traffic control by the Gillespie Fire Department for a fire on Eagarville Road.
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to a traffic crash.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South Street in Gillespie in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Litchfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to a suspicious person at the storage units. Kathy J. Henderson, 49, of Sawyerville was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for bad checks
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Maple Street and Macoupin Street. Kenny L. Fults, 18, of Belleville was issued a citation for possession of cannabis.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Mt. Olive Road in Eagarville in reference to civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of West Burton Street in reference to an animal complaint.
SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 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 North 7th Street in Benld in reference to criminal trespassing. Timothy J. Dalpozzo, 57, of Benld was arrested for criminal trespassing to residence and a Macoupin County warrant for criminal trespassing to a residence.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at South Street and Chestnut Street and charges are pending crime lab results.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to Macoupin Street and Elm Street in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Osie Street in reference to a dog at large.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of North 8th Street in Benld in reference to medical assist.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Spruce Street in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Baker Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Park Street in Benld in reference to a medical call.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to an ordinance issue.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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LITCHFIELD, Ill. — HSHS St. Francis Hospital is offering service opportunities to area teens this summer through the 2024 Junior Volunteer Program. Applications are being accepted now through May 1.
Applicants must be high school students maintaining at least a “C” average, be a minimum of 14 years of age by June 1 and be willing to volunteer at least two hours per week during the summer program. Junior volunteers will perform a variety of duties in various hospital departments.
Registration materials are available on the hospital’s website volunteer page at https://www.hshs.org/st-francis/community/volunteer.
All participants in the program will be required to present proof of immunizations for MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), and Varicella (chicken pox). An additional requirement includes attendance at a hospital orientation.
A limited number of positions will be available. For more information, contact HSHS St. Francis Hospital at 217-324-8200.
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