Community News
Gillespie hears from upset resident who is trying to “save a child’s life”
Council stays true to water leak policy
Georgia Reeves pleads for a stop sign on the intersection of 2nd and Chestnut.
Georgia Reeves greeted the Gillespie City Council Monday evening, August 11, with her reasoning for attending the meeting, “I’m here to save a child’s life.” Reeves is a resident of Gillespie and attempted to persuade council members to place a stop sign on Chestnut and 2nd Street, but Alderman Steve Kluthe said a stop sign is only as good as drivers’ behavior.
Reeves continued by asking the council for a speed bump. “It’s only going to take one child,” Reeves added, “As loud as they can get them, as fast as they can go. Plus I have Jurassic Park across the street from me, I don’t know what is going to come out of there.” She explained drivers drag race on Chestnut Street and run the stop sign without hesitation.
Kluthe, police chairman, explained to the council there is a two block space where there isn’t a stop sign. He said there are a stop signs on the east and west side of the 2nd and Chestnut intersection, there are stop signs on the north and south side of Spruce and there are stop signs on the Walnut intersection of 2nd Street. “I guess I will just sit out there and take pictures of the cars that run through there,” Reeves said. The council advised her they would not recommend her to do that, but told her to start reporting incidents to the police department when they occur. Kluthe also said the police department will focus more patrol on those streets.
Kluthe concluded that there has not been any accidents at the 2nd and Chestnut intersection and the police department has not had any complaints of drag racing. “You say the drivers are rolling the stop sign now,” Kluthe concluded, “Another stop sign won’t stop them, they will blow that too. Signs are only as good as drivers’ behavior.”
Another stop sign won’t stop them, they will blow that too. Signs are only as good as drivers’ behavior.
Council denies two water bill adjustments
The city council held true to their water policy and denied two adjustment requests Monday evening for properties at 711 Gillespie Avenue and 412 East Wilson.
The water bill at 711 Gillespie Avenue was disputed months ago after a city employee said the water was shut off at the request of the customer, but started leaking months after the shut-off. The resident blames the city employee for not turning the water off completely and asked for an adjustment on the bill totaling $571.18, but the city’s insurance denied the claim and the council doesn’t know for certain if someone turned the water back on after the employee turned it off.
The second request at 412 East Wilson totals $1,384.59 after a water leak. The resident wanted to make $150 payments toward the $1,384.59, in addition to the regular water bill, to have the water turned back on because she is buying the house now.
Council buys new police car, hires officer, hears report
The council unanimously approved the purchase of a 2014 Ford Taurus with the help of a USDA grant. The grant covers 55% of the $28,650 squad car leaving the city with 45% of the cost totaling $12,892.50. The city is only responsible for equipping the car with a radio and marking it if they choose. Chief of Police Jared DePoppe explained the company would install the radio free of charge if the department provides one and DePoppe said the department will use one from a retiring squad car.
In addition to the squad car, the council approved the purchase of two portable breathalyzers for a total cost of $898. “Ours are really outdated,” Chief DePoppe confirmed, “They need replaced.”
Chief DePoppe went on to report the department brought in $850 in ordinance violations, $230 in towing and impound fees and a total of $2,303.01 brought in during the month of July. Court fines for July were not available yet.
Following DePoppe’s report, Kluthe motioned to hire current part-time officer Ken Reardon as a full-time officer.
New Business
The council approved:
- The re-appointment of Phil Kocis, Denise Wirth and Gail Niehaus as library board members
- To send City Treasurer Dan Fisher to the Illinois Municipal League conference
- To send Dean Bondy, water plant employee, to get a Class A Certificate
- To hire Landon Pettit, 23, to the street department
- $100 donation to Safe Families golf tournament
- To hire G&L Services to cut any overgrown property on behalf of the city
Lake Transfers
The council approved the transfer of Lake Lot 371 on Spanish Needle Rd. to Jeremy and Michelle Smith, Lake Lot 311 from Gary Thornhill to Dave Shepard, 28 Oak Lane from Mark Stewart to Scott Sipole and 61 Carney Drive on the new lake to Jan Brown.
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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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