SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced the recipients for the 2020 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for Public Infrastructure. A total of $18.2 million will be awarded to 34 communities across the state, enabling cities and towns in non-metropolitan areas to make repairs to shared water and sewer […]
Benld Council eyes demolition of downtown storefronts
An eyesore marring downtown Benld for nearly a decade may be removed in the near future as a result of action taken by the Benld City Council during the council’s regular monthly meeting Monday night. On a motion by Ald. John Balzraine, seconded by Ald. Mickey Robinson, the council voted unanimously to authorize Mayor Jim […]
Gillespie Council accepts attorney resignation, approves bee-keeping project at water plant
Members of the Gillespie City Council on Monday night accepted the resignation of long-serving City Attorney Kevin Polo, approved an environmentally friendly bee-keeping project at the city’s water treatment facility site, and approved a $190,000 payment to Haier Plumbing and Heating and Curry and Associates as the city’s aggressive water infrastructure replacement project winds down. […]
Bourne outraged that Pritzker signs law enforcement bill
Contributed content from the Illinois House Republicans Today Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 3653 into law. This bill, opposed by every law enforcement organization in the state, will turn suspected criminals back on to the streets hours after being arrested, take away resources from local counties, set new costly mandates on law enforcement, and […]
Benld Council beefs up inspection ordinance, votes to purchase pump, aerator
Benld City Council members voted Monday night to amend the city ordinance requiring inspections of residential rental properties and voted unanimously to purchase a pump to replace a unit damaged by cold weather, as well as an aerator for the city’s sewage treatment lagoon. Council members also heard a brief update on plans to redevelop […]
Gillespie Council eyes development plan, votes to increase bulk sewage rates
Members of the Gillespie City Council voted Monday night to draft a “letter of support” authorizing Peace Corps Fellow Ethan Fogg to initiate work on a plan to guide the city’s long-term economic development efforts. The council also approved a measure to increase bulk sewage rates and voted to hire a full-time police officer. Fogg […]
Bearden announces candidacy for Benld Mayor
Lifelong Benld Resident, Lindsay Bearden, 35, is challenging current Benld Mayor Jim Kelly in the upcoming consolidated election scheduled for April 6. Lindsay is the daughter of Kent and Nancy Bearden of Benld. Kelly, who was alderman of Ward 3 at the time, was appointed mayor of Benld in September 2016 succeeding Gloria Sidar who […]
Governor activates 500 National Guard troops for U.S. Capitol Security
At the request of the U.S. Department of Defense, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has activated approximately 500 Illinois National Guard members in support of the continued security mission in Washington, D.C. The mission in Washington, D.C. will not impact the Illinois National Guard’s ability to perform the vaccination distribution mission, with 325 members of the […]
Staunton woman among candidates to replace Manar
The 48th Legislative District Committee met on Tuesday, January 26 to select the finalists for interviews to fill the vacancy in nomination after State Senator Andy Manar resigned his seat in the Illinois Senate. Among the finalists include Staunton’s Roberta (Sissy) Vojas currently serving as a Macoupin County Board Member. Other finalists include: Lisa Badger, […]
Local races set for April election
The consolidated election on April 6 will have a handful of contested races in the BenGil area. Voters heading to the polls or voting by mail will select people for city councils, village trustee, city mayor, and school board. In Benld, current mayor Jim (James) Kelly is being challenged by Lindsay Bearden. Kelly, who was […]
Benld Council eyes grant application
Members of the Benld City Council on Monday night voted to start the process of gathering information with an eye toward applying for a Housing and Urban Development Abandoned Properties grant to pay for demolishing dilapidated housing units in the city. Last week the City of Gillespie took a pass on seeking a grant under […]
Governor activates 200 National Guard members for presidential inauguration
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has ordered the activation of approximately 200 Illinois National Guard members in support of the 59th Presidential Inauguration. The District of Columbia requested additional support from the Guard in advance of the upcoming event. “In the wake of the recent incident at the Capitol, ensuring a peaceful transfer of power to […]
State Rep. Avery Bourne sworn into House
SPRINGFIELD—State Representative Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville) joined other lawmakers from around the state on Wednesday as they took the oath of office and launched Illinois’ 102nd General Assembly (GA) in Springfield. The ceremony took place at the Bank of Springfield Center a few blocks away from the Illinois Capitol. Bourne’s legislative district includes portions of Christian, Macoupin, […]
Gillespie Council hears financial report detains, eyes grant program to raze abandoned properties
A municipal auditor warned Gillespie city officials Monday night that city revenues are likely to be down in the coming months due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on local economic activity. Brenda Masterson, an accountant with Fleming & Tawfall, CPAs, delivered comments on the annual municipal audit during the regular monthly meeting of […]
Macoupin County Clerk now accepting vote by mail requests for April election
Carlinville – Macoupin County voters may now apply for a vote by mail ballot for the April 6, 2021 Election, Macoupin County Clerk Pete Duncan announced on Monday. Voters have been able to apply since January 6th and ballots will be sent out starting February 25th. “Although the Election is still just under 80 days away, voters […]
Manar stepping down from Senate to assume senior advisor spot with Pritzker administration
State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill), who catapulted from local politics to became a prominent voice in the Illinois Senate, will step down from his 48th District Senate seat, effective Jan. 17, and assume duties as a senior adviser to Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker two days later on Jan. 19. Pritzker announced Manar’s appointment via […]
Andy Manar to resign from Illinois Senate
BUNKER HILL – After eight successful years in the Illinois Senate representing the 48th District and more than 22 years in public office, State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) announced today that he will be resigning from the Illinois Senate on January 17, 2021. Manar was first elected to the Bunker Hill City Council at […]
Benld Council waives liquor license fees for 2021
Taverns suffering financially from state-imposed closures due to COVID-19 in Benld will have a reprieve from paying for liquor licenses for the coming year as a result of action taken by the Benld City Council Monday night. With one dissenting vote, the council approved the measure to waive all but $10 of the $400 license […]
Gillespie Council approves levy, sets May 1 labor celebration
Members of the Gillespie City Council on Monday night approved a property tax levy for 2020 taxes to be collected in 2021 amounting to more than $357,000, and agreed to close a portion of Chestnut Street on May 1 for a labor celebration in connection with the dedication of a historic site market to be […]
Manar provides update on ongoing renovations of Courthouse dome
Contributed content by the Illinois Senate Democrats. CARLINVILLE – The renovation of the seat of Macoupin County government, the Macoupin County Courthouse, is progressing steadily thanks to a $1 million investment through the Rebuild Illinois statewide construction plan. State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill), who currently leads budget negotiations for the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus […]
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