Meeting in a relatively brief session Monday night, the Benld City Council briefly discussed the future development of the former Benld Elementary School site as a sports park and recreation area, approved $6,150 in masonry repairs at the Civic Center and directed City Attorney Rick Verticchio to write to Gillespie Police Chief Jared DePoppe regarding […]

Members of the Gillespie City Council approved a resolution on Monday night declaring 301 E. Maple St. a public nuisance and directed the City Attorney to prepare a similar resolution for property a 106 Henry St. as the city continues its crackdown on derelict properties. Additionally, the council voted unanimously to convey property at 204 […]

Governor JB Pritzker, along with state and local leaders and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR), announced on Wednesday that the City of Benld will receive a $600,000 grant to develop an 11-acre park on the former site of Benld Elementary School. The city council voted in September to apply for the grant after […]

Members of the Gillespie City Council on Monday night approved a final payment to Korte & Luitjohan Contractors for renovation work done at the city’s water treatment plant and authorized a first payment request to Visu-Sewer of Missouri for work completed in the downtown business district as a first step toward implementing an extensive streetscape […]

Meeting special session Tuesday night, Gillespie City Council members voted unanimously to approve a resolution placing a tax referendum for Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund on the April 4 consolidated election ballot. Mayor Pro Tem Dona Rauzi, presiding over the meeting in the absence of Mayor John Hicks, said the special meeting was needed in order […]

During a brief regular meeting Monday night, the Benld City Council approved up to $4,000 in repair to the city’s jetter truck and voted to cap an unused water line at Clark Street. Council members also voted to approve the installation of insulation at the city maintenance shed and voted to transition the city’s financial […]

In a relatively brief and routine meeting, the Gillespie City Council on Monday night approved an expenditure of up to $3,000 to replace computers used by City Clerk workers, and engaged in sometimes heated debate over hiring procedures and the recent purchase of a vacuum truck for the Street Department. Mayor John Hicks told council […]

Members of the Benld City Council on Monday night approved a tax levy for 2022 property taxes payable in 2023, accepted a $185,100 bid to repaint the city’s water storage tower and agreed to spend $14,400 to purchase enzyme pellets to reduce sludge at the city’s sewage lagoon. Finance Chair Jerry Saracco presented the levy, […]

Meeting in special session Monday night, members of the Gillespie City Council voted unanimously to purchase a used vacuum truck members of the Public Works Committee had located online. The action comes just a week after Ald. Landon Pettit suggested during the regular December meeting that he would like to appropriate Motor Fuel Tax money […]

Members of the Gillespie City Council on Monday night approved a $394,102 tax levy for 2022 property taxes collectible in 2023 and, with one dissenting vote, authorized a substantial pay increase for Gillespie Police Chief Jared DePoppe. The council also approved a $250 resolution for the 2023 motor fuel tax street maintenance program, agreed to […]

Holiday Sparkle, an annual Christmas season tradition until the Coal Country Chamber of Commerce dissolved about five years ago, is returning to downtown Gillespie this year through the efforts of several local business owners. During the regular monthly meeting of the Gillespie City Council Monday night, city aldermen agreed to waive the rental and cleaning […]