Community News
Benld council approves lift station bid, sets hours for Trick-or-Treating
Benld City Hall
The Benld City Council approved a low bid of $108,875 from Haier Plumbing and Heating, Okawville, to replace the Shehorn sewage lift station in the 200 block of Park Avenue during the council’s regular meeting on Monday night. The bid also includes replacement of a manhole located west of the lift station that is also on Park Avenue.
Justin D. Vonder Haar, project engineer with HMG Engineers, Inc., Carlyle, said bids were opened on Thursday, October 16 at city hall, and that Haier was determined to be the lowest of three bidders. Korte & Luitjohan Contracting of Highland offered a bid of $136,490 for the work, while Loellke Plumbing, Inc., Jerseyville, submitted a bid of $145,877. Haar said Haier Plumbing and Heating has done work for the city previously and that he expected work on the week-long project to commence around January 2016.
In other action, the council voted unanimously to set Trick-or-Treating hours from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30 within the City of Benld. Alderman Mickey Robinson initially reported that the recommendation of the Police Committee was to allow Trick-or-Treating from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 31, but Ald. Peyton Bernot noted that city ordinance currently limits Trick-or-Treating to one night only. Since the city’s Halloween Parade is set for 6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 31, it was decided to allow Trick-or-Treating on Friday night only. Young ghosts and goblins will be allowed to call only on homes that have left porch lights on to indicate the residents are receiving Trick-or-Treaters.
Municipal Cell Tower Lease
The council took no immediate action on an offer from Unison Site Management, a New York-based company that buys municipal cell tower leases, to buy a permanent lease and easement from the city for a sum of $10,800. Unison proposed buying a permanent lease on a cell tower currently leased to American Tower and located on the city’s south side near the municipal lagoon. The proposal also called for adding a strip of property two- to three-feet wide to the current lease agreement.
Under the current lease agreement, American Tower pays the city $500 per year when space on the tower is actively being used and $300 a year when it is not, according to Mayor Gloria Sidar. Sidar said American Tower was paying $500 a month until about six months ago when the lease amount dropped to $300.
City Attorney Rick Verticchio advised that as long as the city was getting $500 a month, it might not make sense to sell a permanent easement to Unison for $10,800.
“At $500 a month, that’s $6,000 a year,” Verticchio said. “You don’t have to go too many years before you have $10,000. Even at $300 a year, you’re getting $3,600.”
On the recommendation of Ald. Teresa Tucker, the council agreed to take no action on the issue pending further investigation.
Other Action Items
On the recommendation of Ald. Robinson, the council also agreed to table action on paying $200 in dues to the Blue Carpet Coalition, a group responsible for promoting tourism along the “Blue Carpet” section of Route 66, which includes Benld. Mayor Sidar said the dues were paid last year by Build Benld and it was not yet known whether the civic group planned to pay the dues again for this year.
Mayor Sidar reported to the council that a roofing estimate is being sought from Young’s Roofing, Litchfield, for the Nutrition Center roof. She said Cathy Petrak had reported to her that the roof had been inspected and is in need of replacement “but it can be repaired and will hold for five to seven years.” Young’s Roofing is expected to submit estimates for the repairs and for a full replacement for the council to consider.
Council members unanimously approved the reappointment of Mary Ann Scopel, Paul Cavins and Cindy Saracco to three-year terms on the Frank Bertetti Benld Public Library Board of Trustees.
Ald. Jim Tilashalski reported the Zoning Committee recently met and has a “few” adjustments to be made to the zoning map before scheduling a public hearing and presentation.
Verticchio reported that the court-ordered sale of two condemned properties is scheduled for 9 a.m., Thursday, at which time the city will probably acquire title to the vacant lots.
Mayor Sidar reported that an extension had been granted to the city’s auditing firm to complete the annual audit of city funds.
Ald. Bernot reported that the the Finance Committee will seek bids for the city’s insurance and workmen’s compensation coverage.
No action followed a 10-minute executive session to discuss potential litigation, personnel and real estate.
NEXT MEETING: The Benld City Council meets again on November 16, 2015, at 6:00 p.m.
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Community News
County marks 250th Anniversary of Declaration with reading and archive projects at Spring Festival on May 23
The Macoupin County Historical Society (MCHS) is hosting the first in a series of local celebrations & activities on May 23, 2026, 11:00 a.m. at the Spring festival highlighting the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The public is encouraged to attend a reading of the Declaration aloud at the Red Barn Pavillion.
Following the reading, participants and the public will be encouraged to have a conversation about what’s important to them, their families and to America examining the past and looking at the future.
Attendees may also enter a Birthday Wish for America & sign the America @ 250 Macoupin County Time Capsule book. The book will become a permanent archive of the Macoupin County Historical Society.
Individuals, families, & friends can also be a part of “Community Conversations” recorded by Illinois Voices 250, a Story Telling group affiliated with Illinois Humanities. The recordings will take place in all 102 counties in Illinois. Illinois Voices 250 will be on site most of the day at the Historical Society Spring Festival. The stores recorded will be digitalized and become a permanent part of the Library of Congress.
Those interested in participating are welcome to bring family and friends into a casual conversation about their life story. Both projects were made possible through a grant from Illinois Humanities to Carlinville Winning Communities, a local non profit organization that supports activities in the community. It’s a very successful partnership between Carlinville Winning Communities, Illinois Humanities and the Macoupin County Historical Society, said Mary Tinder, who is coordinating the activities.
This year, 2026, is also a time to “Bring Back the Strawberries”, a specialty desert from the Red Barn Kitchen. For many years, strawberry shortcake was the signature desert at the festivals. The MCHS Board of Directors and Red Barn Kitchen Crew chose this historic occasion to put them back on the menu.
“Fifty Years of Festivals” has helped finance operations for MCHS and we are working towards another fifty years, said board member Patty Ambrose, Vendor and Outreach Coordinator for MCHS. These activities are free, open to the public and accessible. The two-day festival is May 23, 24, 2026 at the Macoupin County Historical Society, 900 West Breckenridge Street, Carlinville, Il.
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Community News
Benld prepares to celebrate 72nd annual Italian American Days over Memorial Day weekend
A beloved community tradition returns this Memorial Day weekend as the 72nd Annual Benld Italian-American Days brings three days of food, music, and family fun to Benld City Park from Friday, May 22 through Sunday, May 24.
Hosted by the Italian Club of Benld, the long-running festival celebrates the area’s rich Italian heritage while welcoming visitors from across the region for a full slate of activities.
Festivalgoers can expect a wide variety of homemade Italian favorites served throughout the weekend, including salami and meatball sandwiches, tortellini soup, bagna cauda, and cannoli. A daily fish fry featuring cod and whiting will also be available, along with classic festival fare such as hamburgers, hot dogs, Italian beef, and carnival treats. Beer, wine, and soda will be available for purchase.
In addition to the food, the event will feature carnival rides provided by Conner Family Amusement, Inc., with unlimited ride sessions offered throughout the weekend. Bingo will be held nightly at 7:00 p.m., and festival-themed shirts will be available for purchase.
Live music and dancing will take center stage each evening. Friday night entertainment includes a performance by Flip the Frog from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., with the park open from 4:00 to 11:00 p.m.
Saturday highlights include the Italian Club Car Show, with registration from 8:00 a.m. to noon and judging beginning at noon. The park opens at 11:00 a.m., and live music will feature Pat Jones in the afternoon followed by Borderline in the evening.
Sunday kicks off with the “Meatballs on the Run” 5K at 9:00 a.m., sponsored by the Gillespie Cross Country Boosters. You can sign-up to participate online here. The day continues with free spaghetti served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., a bocce ball tournament beginning at noon, and a full lineup of live music throughout the day, including performances by Unbroken, Syner-Gee, and B&B Strings.
Connors Family Amusements will provide carnival armbands for $30. Armbands will be valid Friday (May 22) from 6:00 to 10 :00 p.m. and again on Saturday (May 23rd) and Sunday (May 24th) from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. and again from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m, Advanced armband sales will be available from May 4th through May 21st at the Frank Bertetti Public Library and Benld City Hall for $25. Debit and Credit Cards will NOT be accepted.
Organizers note that no outside beverages are permitted in the park or at club events.
With its mix of tradition, entertainment, and community spirit, the 72nd Annual Benld Italian-American Days promises to once again be a highlight of the summer season in Macoupin County. For more information and updates, follow the festival on Facebook at Benld Italian American Days.
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Gillespie will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Monday, May 11 at 900 Broadway, inside Gillespie Methodist Church Gym.
To donate, please contact Brenda Lowe at (217) 7101336 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 60020 to locate the drive. Appointments are requested. You may also call ImpactLife at 800-747-5401 to schedule.
Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission form available
through www.bloodcenter.org) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. is required to donate.
For questions about eligibility, please call ImpactLife at (800) 7475401. Donors who last gave blood on or before March 16, 2026, are eligible to give at this drive.
Blood donation is a safe, simple procedure that takes about 45 minutes to one hour. Individuals with diabetes or controlled high blood pressure may be accepted as eligible donors.
ImpactLife is a nonprofit community organization providing blood products and services to more than 100 hospitals and emergency medical service providers in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin, as well as researchers and resource sharing partners across the country.
