There will be some new faces in local government once results from Tuesday’s Consolidated Election become official. Among the mostly uncontested races were two contested alderperson seats in the City of Gillespie and one board seat on the Gillespie CUSD 7 school board along with a public question in Eagarville and Gillespie.
Voter turnout for the county was low, according to County Clerk Pete Duncan who had results ready early in the evening on Tuesday. Voter turnout in Tuesday’s election was 11.31 percent down from 17.35 percent in the 2021 consolidated election but in line with the turnout from the 2019 consolidated election where the turnout was 11.61 percent.
GILLESPIE
In Gillespie, alderwoman Dona Rauzi will retain her seat on the council as Ward 1 alderperson after receiving 107 votes, or 67 percent, defeating Jared Link’s 52 votes.
A new face as Ward 2 alderperson for Gillespie was going to be seated regardless of the victor after Rick Fulton decided not to run for reelection. Replacing Fulton will be David “Lumpy” Link Sr. who defeated Bryan Wagoner by 20 votes, 73-53.
The new Gillespie City Council will be comprised of John Hicks, Mayor; Frances Smith, City Clerk; Dan Fisher, Treasurer; Dona Rauzi and Robert Fritz Jr. as Ward 1 alderpeople; Frank Barrett Jr. and David “Lumpy” Link Sr. as Ward 2 alderpeople; Landon Pettit and Billy Hayes as Ward 3 alderpeople; and Wendy Rolando and Laurence Greene as Ward 4 alderpeople.
BENLD
Benld saw no contested races although Norman Emmons will be a new face to the council as Ward 2 alderman replacing James Tilashalski.
The new Benld City Council will include James Kelly, Mayor; Terri Koyne, City Clerk; Cindy Crites, Treasurer; Jerry Saracco and John Balzraine as Ward 1 alderpeople; Michael “Mickey” Robinson and Norman Emmons as Ward 2 alderpeople; and Brian “Lance” Cooper and Dustin Fletcher as Ward 3 alderpeople.
GILLESPIE CUSD 7 SCHOOL BOARD
Joining the Gillespie CUSD 7 school board will be former board member Peyton Bernot and retired elementary teacher Kellie Vesper.
Bernot, who was running unopposed for a two-year term, steps in for Jack Burns who wasn’t seeking reelection. Vesper was facing off against Mike Bellovich who was running as a write-in candidate for Becky Hatlee’s seat on the board. Vesper reeled in 635 votes compared to 250 write-in votes for Bellovich.
Bernot and Vesper round out the seven-member board and join William “Billy” Carter, Dennis Tiburzi, Amanda Ross, Mark Hayes, and Weye Schmidt on the Gillespie CUSD 7 school board.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS
One proposition was on the ballot in the respective communities of Eagarville and Gillespie.
Eagarville’s proposition to increase the corporate tax rate from 0.12725 to 0.4375 was passed with 9 favorable votes surpassing the 2 negative votes.
Gillespie’s proposition to create a new tax rate of .35% of the equalized assessed value of taxable property failed with 275 ‘no’ votes outlasting 207 ‘yes’ votes. The proposition would have authorized a levy for Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund benefits for full-time employees of the city.