Community News
Vote on Canna Theater acquisition tabled by Gillespie Council
The much-anticipated vote on whether or not to take possession of the former Canna Theater was tabled until next month by the Gillespie City Council on Monday on the advice of City Attorney Dan O’Brien.
Late in the meeting, O’Brien said his advice took into consideration the absence of Mayor John Hicks and the possibility that Hicks might be required to cast a tie-breaking vote.
“I’m as disappointed as anyone that we’re not able to vote on this tonight,” Ald. Wendy Rolando told more than a dozen supporters of the Canna project who attended Monday night’s meeting.
While Monday night’s vote would have been only on whether or not to accept the building from the Assembly of God Church, most of the citizens speaking voiced support for restoring the building for use as a performing arts center.
“I’ve discussed this with the city council for several months,” said Peace Corps Fellow Ethan Fogg. “Whether you want to do something with it or not, you really should accept the building.” Ownership would give the city the option to develop the property or demolish it without a protracted court battle to gain ownership.
He compared the situation with the long-vacant Dollar General Store on Macoupin Street. “That guy isn’t cooperating with you at all,” he said. “You have a church willing to give us a building that we would have to fight for otherwise.”
Without the city taking possession of the building, Fogg said, “it will sit there and continue to rot.”
“You have to accept that building,” Fogg said, “because otherwise it will just become the city’s problem later.”
Gillespie High School graduate Angelique Grandone, who is employed as Managing Director of the Chicago Park District’s Theater on the Lake program, traveled from Chicago to pledge her support for developing the deteriorating theater as a performing arts center. In her position with the Park District, Grandone said she has been involved with establishing 18 performing arts centers. “I’m intimately familiar with the process,” she said.
“They’re places where communities can share their stories and break down barriers,” she said. “I know the building is not in good shape, but it could become a place where our stories are honored, but it has to come from the community, it has to be community-driven and it has to be community owned.”
Marcella Cloud, a grant writer for The MAC, said the Staunton facility has provided services to more than 20,000 students in four years.
“I’m here to tell you the need is here,” she said. “We have people ask often about opportunities for performing arts and we simply do not have the space.” The MAC is willing to partner with Gillespie, she said, to ensure the space is effectively utilized. The MAC representatives and Grandone, she said, have compiled a list of grant opportunities and funding sources to limit the city’s financial involvement. “There are grants that are available to the city that are not available to a non-profit,” she said. “Those grants are very specific for performing arts.”
Brandace Cloud, executive director for The MAC, said a performing arts center would have a positive impact on the local economy. Students who visit The MAC, she said, “stop at Mayfields to buy flowers or they stop at Cavataios for lunch.”
Maci Smith, a senior at Gillespie High School, presented a petition with 24 signatures from students in support of the performing arts center concept.
Tom Howard, who operates a small performing arts venue on the city’s southwest side, said the performing arts center would give youths “a chance to do something other than get into trouble.”
Another resident characterized the project as a community effort and an opportunity for people to come together and work toward positive changes.
Josh Ross, himself a former Gillespie Mayor, expressed trepidation about the potential expense the city could incur.
“Ethan (Fogg) is one hundred percent right. I know how these things work; if you don’t take the building, you’ll have to spend money later to get it,” he said. “My concern is about the next step. The city has finite resources. I’d like the city to take a hard look to determine what you’re really willing to invest. Are we going to sink a lot of resources into something that is a ‘maybe’?”
Most of the proponents had left by the time Fogg sharply questioned the decision to table the vote.
“I think you disregarded people tonight. Everyone expected you to vote on this tonight. You dangled it in front of them and then you poked them in the eye,” Fogg said. “You do stuff like that and then you wonder why people don’t want to get involved with the city. You just hurt any chances of community involvement in the future.”
Both Rolando and Rauzi said they expected a vote and were surprised by O’Brien’s recommendation. “I assumed that we would vote on this tonight,” Rauzi said.
“If you want to blame someone, you can blame me,” O’Brien said. ‘I think this council is very deferential and respectful toward the public. My understanding was that the vote could be very close. If there was a 4-4 tie, the Mayor would be called upon to break the tie. For Mayor Hicks not to be present and perhaps vote would have been a disservice to a mayor who has served the community for many years and to the people who came here tonight.”
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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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