Community News
Benld seeks state’s approval for potential $1.7 million water project
Mayor Jim Kelly signing the documents to submit to IEPA with City Clerk Koyne and Vander Haar looking on.
Benld city aldermen voted unanimously Monday night to authorize HMG Engineers, Breese, to submit an application to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to determine the feasibility of buying water from the City of Litchfield and determine whether Benld is eligible for a state loan to finance the estimated $1.7 cost of the proposed project. Justin Vander Haar, an engineer with HMG, emphasized that if IEPA concurs that the project is feasible and approves funding, the city will not be obligated to undertake the project.
The nature of the project and its projected cost were not discussed in open session Monday night. The BenGil Post was able to confirm via a Freedom of Information Act request that the project for which the city is seeking loan funds would involve building the infrastructure to bring water from Litchfield. The infrastructure cost is estimated at about $1.7 million. There was no disclosure regarding what the City of Litchfield would charge for water delivered to Benld. In October, Ald. Peyton Bernot asserted the cost of buying water from Litchfield could be about half of what the city currently pays for water from Gillespie.
If the loan application is approved, IEPA would loan the funds at an interest rate of one percent over a period of 30 years. According to Vander Haar, the loan terms include a provision to “forgive” up to 75 percent of the principal if necessary.
[pullquote]The BenGil Post was able to confirm via a Freedom of Information Act request that the project for which the city is seeking loan funds would involve building the infrastructure to bring water from Litchfield. The infrastructure cost is estimated at about $1.7 million.[/pullquote]
Vander Haar urged the council to take action Monday night, noting that Jan. 31 is the deadline to apply for loans for projects expected to start during the 2019 calendar year. Vander Haar also recommended applying for financing for the most expensive item, indicating that it would be easier to amend the application for a lesser amount if the city ultimately opts to pursue a less expensive option.
Last October, the council authorized HMG to conduct feasibility studies of at least four options to improve Benld’s water supply. HMG was directed to explore the possibility of buying water from the Litchfield water system or the Staunton water system. The firm also looked into buying Litchfield water via the community of Lake KaHo. Lake KaHo currently is undertaking a project to bring water to the village from Litchfield. The transmission line is expected to be complete in May and HMG reportedly investigated the possibility of extending a line from Lake KaHo to Benld. Finally, HMG explored the possibility of renegotiating the city’s contract with Gillespie.
In October, Vander Haar said Litchfield is operating with a new state of the art water treatment plant that currently is operating at 27 percent of its capacity.
Although the Litchfield option “might be the biggest capital amount up front,” Vander Haar said, it might be the most cost-effective for the city because of the amount Litchfield is willing to sell water to the city.
Representatives of HMG presented the results of the feasibility studies to the Benld Council last Thursday night during an 80-minute closed session meeting. City officials and City Attorney Rick Verticchio said the executive session was permitted because of the potential for litigation associated with extricating the city from its current contract with Gillespie. Responding to the BenGil Post’s FOIA request, City Clerk Terri Koyne said the Staunton and Lake KaHo options could be achieved for less money.
POLICE DEPARTMENT COSTS
The council set a public information meeting for 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Benld Civic Center to provide information to voters regarding a referendum on whether or not the Police Protection property tax levy should be increased from 0.1642 percent of the equalized assessed valuation to 0.6 percent. If approved by voters and enacted by the city council, the measure could generate about $40,000 in additional revenue for the Police Department.
In addition, the council spent several minutes debating a detailed proposal presented by Ald. Bernot to cut Police Department costs by reducing patrols.
The cost of operating a full-time Police Department has been on the table since last summer when city officials floated the idea of disbanding the local Police Department and contracting with the City of Gillespie for police protection in Benld. While the majority of residents attending a public meeting on the issue seemed to favor keeping the Police Department intact, city officials have struggled with closing the gap between Police Department revenue and expenditures.
Bernot said the city spent 51 percent of its resources on police protection in 2018, and 52 percent in 2017.
“That’s awfully low,” said Ald. Mickey Robinson. “If you look at all the other communities around us, it runs about 60 percent.”
Mayor Jim Kelly countered that the experience of surrounding communities are not directly comparable to Benld. Some communities have part-time police forces, he noted. In Benld, police expenditures have outstripped revenue for several years, prompting the city to look into eliminating the Police Department and seeking alternatives for providing police protection.
Bernot reported that the city appropriated $197,072 for the police department in 2018, but expenditures that year topped $278,587—a difference of $83,515. Police salaries accounted for 60 percent of the expenditures—about $98,000—Bernot noted. In addition, the city paid $11,760 to part-time officers to patrol during times when full-time officers had paid time off—bringing the total cost to $109,776.
“In reality, there’s nowhere to cut,” Bernot said. “You have to reduce costs and the only place you can do that is salaries. You can’t cut the cost of gas, you can’t cut the cost of liability insurance. We could direct more money to the Police Department, but that would only look good on paper.”
According to Bernot, Benld’s three full-time officers earn yearly salaries ranging from $29,452 to $37,325. Part-time officers earned $34,560 in 2018, Bernot said.
Under Bernot’s proposal, the number of hours local police would patrol in Benld would be reduced by four hours per day—representing a 16.7 percent reduction in the amount of time officers would be on patrol. The specific hours police would be off the streets would be left to the discretion of the Police Chief. Part-time officers would bear the burden of the reduced hours, meaning that full-time officers would continue to work 40 hours per week and would experience no reduction in earnings.
Reducing patrol hours by four hours per day would result in cost savings of $27,770, according to Bernot. If the property tax referendum is approved and implemented, the additional $40,000 in revenue plus the $27,770 in cost savings would eat up $67,770 of the $83,515 deficit.
“Reducing patrols alone is not going to solve the problem,” Bernot said. “It’s a step toward solvency. Having a 24/7 police force is going to hinder us from reaching our financial goals and our policy goals.” He asserted the reduction in patrol would have no impact on public safety.
[pullquote]“I disagree,” said Ald. Lance Cooper. “Don’t you think the criminals are going to figure out when the police aren’t going to be on patrol?”[/pullquote]
“I disagree,” said Ald. Lance Cooper. “Don’t you think the criminals are going to figure out when the police aren’t going to be on patrol?”
“There’s a lot of little things,” said Ald. Teressa Tucker, chair of the Police Committee. “When you have a big business, little things add up. This is good—what you’ve got here, but there’s a lot more.”
City Clerk Koyne said Police Department expenditures are coming in below the appropriation for this fiscal year. “They’re already helping us by cutting down on overtime,” she said. “We are not out of line compared to other communities.”
Vander Haar making his presentation to the council.
“The bottom line is that it’s up to the community,” said Mayor Kelly. “If people want 24/7 police protection, I think we’re obligated to do it. I think every alderman should talk to people in their wards and find out what they want.”
“We have to do something,” Bernot concluded. “I’m not saying we have to do it tonight, but we have to do something.”
COUNCIL REJECTS BACKHOE PURCHASE
Employing an unusual parliamentary procedure, the council narrowly rejected the Mayor’s recommendation to purchase a John Deere backhoe from Erb Equipment at a cost of $100,000. Mayor Kelly said the city’s current backhoe is 17 years old and has “a lot of hours on it.” While the machine is operable, Kelly said it is showing signs of wear and could soon be out of service.
He said the new backhoe could be purchased without bidding because the price offered by Erb is a state bid. First National Bank, Benld, was prepared to finance the purchase at an interest rate of four percent, resulting in monthly payments of $1,599 over a period of five years.
“My recommendation would be that we do it,” Kelly said.
But some aldermen questioned whether assuming additional debt would impact the city’s chances of securing an IEPA loan for the proposed water project. Vander Haar said the agency would look at debt incurred by the city’s Water Department when considering the application. Under the proposal, 30 percent of the backhoe purchase would come from Water Department funds.
Vander Haar said a $30,000 liability probably would have minimal impact on the loan application.
Brought to a vote, the council tied 3-3. Ald. Jim Tilashalski, Robinson and Tucker voted “yes,” Ald. Bernot, Cooper and Brian Frensko voted, “no.” Mayor Kelly then broke the tie with a “yes” vote.
Bernot then urged Ald. Tilashalski to “recall” his motion. On reconsideration, Tilashalski joined Frensko, Cooper and Bernot in voting “no,” defeating the motion.
CAHOKIA STREET WATER LINE
On a motion by Bernot, the council voted to spend $2,394.40 for materials only to extend a six-inch water line along Cahokia Street between Central Avenue and Maple Street. Midwest Meter, Edinburg, is the vendor.
“There are homes out there that are in Benld and do not have fire protection,” Mayor Kelly said. “I feel strongly we should have fire hydrants out there for our residents, plus there is land out there that could be developed someday.”
CITY PARK RENTAL RATES
The council unanimously approved a revised contract and fee schedule for renting city park facilities.
Rental fees are set at $75 for the city park, $50 for the ball diamond and $50 for the city gazebo. In addition, renters will be required to post a $75 cleaning deposit and a $150 property damage deposit, both of which are refundable following a post-event inspection. Renters who plan to serve alcohol during their event must pay a $150 non-refundable fee for Dram Shop insurance. Events involving 250 or more guests must provide their own trash vendor.
City park facilities are available to rent for the weekend after Memorial Day weekend through Oct. 31. Ball diamonds can be rented any time no league games or practices are scheduled.
POLICE DEPARTMENT COPY MACHINE
Council members agreed to purchase a copy machine for the Police Department from NCI Business Systems, Springfield, at an approximate cost of $1,300, plus a $275 annual service agreement. Council members directed city officials to investigate whether NCI would offer a price break if the city buys two machines—one for the Police Department and one for City Hall.
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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.
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Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Wednesday night approved a package of four capital improvement projects totaling more than $160,000 in value. Work will start on the projects after the end of the current school year and is expected to be completed before the start of the 2026-27 academic year in August.
The board met on Wednesday night after Monday’s inclement weather forced the district to reschedule the board’s regular monthly meeting.
The board approved entering into a contract with Fisher Tracks, Boone, Iowa, to resurface the district’s all-weather track at a cost of $105,209. Supt. Shane Owsley told the board the district will use about $50,000 from an all-weather track activity fund, with the remainder to be paid with proceeds from an alternate revenue bond issue approved last year for capital improvements.
Great Western Abatement, Jerseyville, was retained to remove flooring containing asbestos from the choir room floor and middle school gymnasium school at a cost of $40,700. Great Western’s bid was the lowest of seven bids, ranging up to $65,000, submitted for the work. Additionally, the district is paying $8,900 to Reliable Environmental Services, Springfield, for engineering and design work associated with the asbestos removal.
All-purpose rubberized flooring material will be installed on the middle school gym floor by Dynamic Sports Construction, Leander, Texas, at a cost of $51,424.
For the first time in a number of years, the high school gymnasium floor will be sanded and refinished with new artwork. Blast Technologies, St. Louis, was hired to sand the 4,200-square-foot floor at a cost of $5,250. Designs Unlimited, Pinckneyville, will paint game lines and logos on the floor before sealing it with a clear stain at a cost not to exceed $18,738.
The board also accepted a bid of $33,890 from DeLaurent Construction, Wilsonville, to resurface the 118,700-square-foot parking lot at Benld Elementary School.
Though no action was taken, Board President Mark Hayes reported that the Building and Grounds Committee had directed Owsley to investigate the cost of replacing the CUSD 7 administrative building.
“This building is very much in need of replacement,” Hayes said. “It’s beyond its time.” During Monday’s torrential rainfall, Hayes said water came in through windows and water seeped in under the sill plate, bringing displaced nightcrawlers into the building. Staff members ran fans after the storm in an effort to dry out the interior.
According to Hayes, the school has been in contact with the local Baptist Church to investigate the possibility of acquiring the former Trinity Baptist Church for use as an administrative building. Church officials, however, have not yet made a decision about the fate of the former sanctuary after Gillespie’s two Baptist churches merged.
Owsley said the current administrative building comprises about 6,000 square feet. Current estimates are $400 per square foot for new construction which would translate into about $2.5 million to replace the administrative facility. The district might be able to shave some dollars off that estimate by reducing the size of the building.
“There’s a lot of unusable space in this building,” Owsley said, suggesting a more efficient floorpan could reduce cost. He also mentioned the possibility of a basement to provide storage space for outdated documents.
In addition to construction costs, Owsley noted, the district would be responsible for tearing down the existing building.
“I have no idea what’s in this building,” Owsley said, raising abatement concerns. “I’m guessing disposal of this building is going to be expensive.”
Hayes said Kevin Wills, the district’s bond issue advisor, will attend the June board meeting to discuss the possibility of refinancing some existing bonds to free up enough revenue to build a new administrative building. The administration currently is housed in a “temporary” structure that has served as the administration building for several decades.
MINE SUBSIDENCE STUDY
After several minutes of discussion, the board took no action in relation to entering into a contract with Marino Engineering and Associates to assess the district’s risk for incurring damage from a mine subsidence event. Owsley said existing maps show that portions of Gillespie Middle School are undermined. While the high school is not undermined, a major subsidence would likely damage the high school as well as the middle school. In recent months, more than one residential home on Elm Street near the school property has experienced damage from mine subsidence.
Marino’s $94,000 Phase I proposal would “determine the likelihood of something happening to one of our buildings,” Owsley said. The problem is that too much information could negatively impact the district’s ability to purchase subsidence insurance. “Information is great until it’s not.”
The district currently pays about $300,000 for mine subsidence insurance on the middle school, high school and vocational arts building. The school carries no subsidence insurance on BenGil Elementary because mine shafts under the building were grouted before the school was built.
“If we find out there’s not a major concern,” Owsley noted, it could reduce the district’s subsidence insurance costs.
On the other hand, if the study reveals a high risk of experiencing mine subsidence, the insurer could drop the district at the end of the current policy’s term. With only two companies in the country offering subsidence insurance, the district could end up with no insurance at all to cover damage from mine subsidence.
The only way to avoid that scenario would be to implement whatever options Marino might recommend to reduce risk. Those recommendations would likely include grouting (backfilling) mine shafts under the middle school. Grouting for the elementary school cost $4 million. To grout under the middle school would likely run as much as $6 million or more.
The only way the study would make sense, Owsley suggested, would be if the district was “comfortable making the corrections the study is going to make.”
Moreover, $94,000 would cover only a preliminary assessment.
“To get a full understanding of what’s going on underground, we’d be looking at a half million dollars,” said Owsley.
The issue was allowed to die when no board member moved to consider the contract.
COMMUNITY SOLAR PARTICIPATION
On a motion by Bill Carter, seconded by Weye Schmidt, the board voted unanimously to enter into a contract with Summit Ridge Solar to participate in a community solar project. Under terms of the 15-year contract, the district will realize a 13 percent savings on electrical power bills. The contract is automatically renewable for five years unless the district chooses to withdraw.
“Illinois provides a number of incentives for using solar,” Owsley said. “However, not everyone likes the look of having solar panels on their property. This will get us the benefits without putting up solar panels on our property.”
Summit Ridge’s proposal was the most lucrative of the proposals the district received. Other companies offered shorter terms with savings of five percent.
After 20 years, it’s likely the savings would drop to five percent. Owsley said he was told the district was better off going with the longer contract to get 13 percent in savings for as long as possible.
The school district was able to secure such favorable rates, according to Owsley is because there is an issue with solar fields storing the power they generate. “Our main usage time is during their maximum production time.”
DISTRICT FOCUS
During a District Focus segment, the board recognized sophomore Matrix Wright, whose art was the only entry from the United States included in the 2026 TOLI International Student Art Exhibition. The exhibition is a project of The Olga Lengyel Institute for Holocaust Studies in New York. The exhibit includes student art relating to themes associated with the Holocaust.
Wright’s work, entitled “An Immortal Continuum,” attempts to portray “the constant entrapment a Holocaust survivor might feel.”
Exhibition organizers received more than 250 entries from around the globe.
BUDGET PROCESS
On a motion by Peyton Bernot, seconded by Board President Hayes, board members voted unanimously to begin work on developing a district budget for fiscal 2027. Board members also approved a routine measure to permit expenditure of fiscal 2027 funds after July 1, pending approval of a new budget.
The school district’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30 but new budgets typically are approved two to four months after the start of the fiscal year.
The current fiscal year’s $19 million budget was approved in September last year.
PERSONNEL
Following a one-hour executive session to discuss personnel and other issues, the board voted unanimously to approve the request of long-time middle school English and language arts teacher Kim Henderson, effective at the end of the 2028-29 school year.
Board members also voted unanimously to hire Andrew Crook as a first-year, non-tenured high school English teacher for the 2026-27 school year, pending documentation of certification and a routine background check. A graduate of Gillespie High School, Crook earned his teaching certificate at Illinois College, Jacksonville and for the past two years, he taught English at North Mac High School.
In separate actions, the board made multiple assignments to staff the district’s summer school program. Those hired include: Jessica Kelly as a middle school teacher, Ashlee Gibbs as a high school math teacher, and Jennifer Brown and Rob Macias as high school drivers’ education instructors. Each of the positions are contingent upon adequate student enrollment to offer the classes. In addition to academic staff, the board hired Andy Hirstein as a summer school food service worker.
The board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Foli Seferi as high school paraprofessional and as assisted football coach. Both resignations are effective immediately.
In other personnel action, the board appointed Cate Plovich as the BenGil Elementary School yearbook sponsor, and appointed Josh Ross as a volunteer assistant football coach, pending documentation of certification and a routine background check.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the board:
• Approved a mens highs school soccer coop with the Carlinville School District, with the provision Carlinville will dissolve the agreement if it pushes its program into a higher competitive classification.
• Approved an intergovernmental agreement with Lewis and Clark Community College under which the college will recognize some high school courses as college level credits.
• Approved early graduation requests for an undisclosed number of students, provided all graduation requirements are met.
• Approved renewing the district’s membership in the Illinois Elementary Schools Association.
• Approved the final calendar for the 2025-26 school year pending no further emergency days. Barring the use of emergency days, Monday, May 18 will be the last day of student attendance, with graduation ceremonies set at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 17.
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