Community News
Benld prepares to sign new electrical rate contract
Benld City Council members voted Monday night to authorize Mayor Jim Kelly to accept a bid to supply electricity to city residents at a reduced rate and to sign the Municipal Aggregate Electric contract to lock in the new rates.
The council annually pre-authorizes the mayor to accept the bid and sign the contract because the bid will be confirmed before the next regular council meeting, and the city will have only two to three hours to accept the bid and sign the contract. The program, which offers reduced electrical rates to residential customers, is offered through
The Stone River Group, the broker that secures the electric rate, is able to obtain below standard pricing by representing an aggregate of more than 20 Illinois municipalities representing more than 50,000 residential electric customers. According to data from the company, the aggregate purchasing program saved Benld’s approximately 700 households $21,620 in electric cost last year—an average of about $320 per household.
The program is not available for commercial properties and residents may opt out of the program if the choose. The city government also receives the lower rate for city-owned properties.
POLICE DISTRICT QUESTION
In other action, council members learned that several South Macoupin communities are exploring the possibility of forming a Police Protection District—a measure that would require state legislation to achieve.
City Attorney Rick Verticchio said letters have gone out to area mayors and chiefs of police to set a date for a meeting to discuss the proposal. If implemented, the measure could improve police protection and reduce costs by pooling the resources of several communities. To establish the police protection district, however, the group would have to lobby the state legislature for specific legislation allowing district formation and establishing tax rates to support it.
“You can have a fire district and you can have a water district, but you can’t get a Police Protection District because there’s not legislation for it,” Verticchio said.
Last month, the council briefly discussed the possibility to obtaining increased law enforcement patrol through the County Sheriff’s Department. The city currently contracts with the City of Gillespie for police protection services.
NUISANCE PROPERTY ACTIONS
No specific action followed a 20-minute executive session with the city attorney. In open session, however, Verticchio discussed the status of several complaints against properties located in the city limits.
Ald. John Balzraine alerted Verticchio to an accumulation of unlicensed, inoperable vehicles at 102 South First Street allegedly moved to the property from an address in the 200 block of Fifth Street. Verticchio said the property has been previously cited but that he would send a letter advising the owners the cars must be moved or covered. Also at the Fifth Street address, the city is turning off water service for an unpaid bill after the resident reported he would not be at the residence for the next 28 days.
TREE REMOVAL
The council voted unanimously to accept a bid of $1,250 from Emmons Tree Service, Carlinville to remove two dead or dying soft maples on Park Avenue. Emmons’ bid includes stump grinding.
SURPLUS TRUCK
Mayor Kelly reported the city received no bids for a Dodge truck previously declared as surplus and offered for sale via sealed bids. Since no bids were received, Verticchio said the city could legally sell the vehicle to anyone willing to make a minimum offer of at least $500.
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2:18 Missions, a nonprofit focused on home repair projects in the Gillespie area and humanitarian efforts at Henderson Settlement in Frakes, Kentucky, has launched a spring food drive to support families served by the Henderson Settlement Food Pantry. The pantry assists low-income families across five counties in the Appalachian region, where a steady supply of nourishing food is essential.
The organization emphasizes that no donation is too small or too large. Right now, all contributions received from now through the first week of April will directly fund food for families in need. It costs roughly $35 to provide food for a family of four for an entire month, a goal that this drive aims to meet for as many families as possible.
Donations can be made in several convenient ways. Checks or cash may be given to any 2:18 Missions team member. For those who prefer digital options, donations are accepted via Venmo or PayPal at 2:18 Missions Nfp. Community members are also encouraged to follow and engage with updates on the 2:18 Missions Facebook page.
2:18 Missions stresses that every contribution, regardless of size, makes a tangible difference in the lives of families working to make ends meet in the mountains of Kentucky and the residents of Gillespie who support their neighbors in need. The organization invites the public to join in this effort and to help spread the word through social media and word of mouth.
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The Gillespie Public Library invites the community to its 13th annual Night of Trivia and Games, a popular evening of competition, camaraderie, and cash prizes. The event is set for Saturday, March 28, 2025, with doors opening at 6:15 p.m. and play beginning at 7 p.m. at the Gillespie Civic Center.
Attendees can expect a safe, social night out as organizers have arranged tables to accommodate social distancing, ensuring guests can enjoy the fun in a comfortable setting. The evening features prizes for first, second, and third place, along with a 50-50 drawing and other assorted cash games and prizes.
In keeping with the event’s lighthearted spirit, there will be no silent auction. Organizers emphasize that the goal is “Only laughs and fun,” with a chance to win money while enjoying a friendly competition format.
Entry is a $100 team fee, with a maximum of 10 players per team. Participants are encouraged to pre-register by March 25 to guarantee a table. Registration options include mailing a form to Gillespie Public Library, 201 W Chestnut, Gillespie, IL 62033; calling the library at 217-839-3614; or contacting Steve Joyce at 217-839-2839.
For those interested in joining or learning more, team captains should designate a contact person and provide a reachable phone number during registration.
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The estate of the late Lindell and Jean Loveless, longtime Macoupin County pork producers, has made generous equal gifts to The Partnership for Educational Excellence in Gillespie CUSD #7 and to the Carlinville CUSD #1 Education Foundation. The gifts come from the remainder of a family trust established to ensure high-quality end-of-life care and were divided upon Jean Loveless’s passing, with equal shares allocated to the education foundations in each district.
Tim Loveless, local businessman and son of Lindell and Jean, emphasized the family’s enduring commitment to education and practical life skills. “It was my parents’ desire to use these remaining funds to support and enhance career and technical education programs in our schools,” Loveless said. He recalled his family’s deep roots in hard work and the value of life skills, noting that “the spirit of this gift is to prepare students for life in general, and to prepare them to earn a living by learning a trade.”
“The bottom half of the class,” Tim continued, “needs financial education and practical skills. A person can learn and earn their way to success.” He described his parents’, grandparents’, and great-grandparents’ diverse ventures—from farming and cattle to turkey production, nursing homes, meat processing, swine production, and subdivisions—and underscored that high formal education is not the sole path to success, but motivation and skill are crucial. He expressed hope that the gift will help school districts boost opportunities for students who may doubt their ability to succeed.
John Fassero, Jr., president of The Partnership for Educational Excellence in CUSD7, welcomed the gift as a strong alignment with the Partnership’s mission. “This Loveless family gift is a perfect fit for the established goals and policies of The Partnership,” Fassero said.
Since its founding in 1992, The Partnership has awarded nearly 600 scholarships based on goals and hard work rather than GPA or class rank. Fassero noted that the organization has several scholarships targeted to the trades, and that nearly 20 scholars have pursued trade school education in the past four years alone. “In addition, two-thirds of The Partnership’s giving is directed to curriculum enhancement across all three schools and in all specialties, including shop and FFA,” Fassero added.
