Community News
Gillespie Council accepts $100,000 bid for fencing
After years of delay, the Gillespie City Council on Monday night accepted bids totaling more than $100,000 to erect fencing around the city’s water treatment plant and adjacent solar panel field. Collins and Herman Infrastructure Solutions, St. Louis, was the sole bidder for the projects.
On a motion by Ald. Wendy Rolando, the council voted unanimously to accept a bid of $69,850 to construct a chainlink fence around the water plant and a bid of $35,750 for fencing around the solar field. The company also offered a bid of $57,250 for chainlink fencing around the city’s tennis courts.
“I’d like to see us move on the solar field and the water plant,” said Ald. Landon Pettit. “The water plant should have been done years ago and we promised people we would fence the solar field.”
Before opening the bid, Pettit reported he had been contacted by a couple of other contractors who had missed the deadline. City Treasurer Dan Fisher said the project could be rebid to accommodate additional bidders. In the meantime, he said, the city had the option of rejecting bids if the bid in hand was too high. Council members expressed some surprise at the size of the bids, but Fisher pointed out that the engineer’s estimate for the solar field project was $40,000, meaning the Collins and Herman bid came in below the estimate.
“Do we have that kind of money in the Water Department?” Pettit asked.
Fisher said he didn’t have a copy of the appropriation ordinance with him so he could not confirm what the Water Department had appropriated for capital improvements. He recommended accepting the bid “and we’ll figure out the finances later.”
The council agreed that both expenditures were necessary despite the amount of money involved. Ald. Bob Fritz said the water plant needed to be fenced not only for security but also public safety because of open wells on the property. “We get after people to fence their pools in town,” he said, indicating the wells pose a similar hazard.
“We promised (to fence the solar field) and most solar fields do have fences around them,” Fisher said
The council took no action regarding the tennis court bid. Pettit said the City Property Committee asked for the bid primarily because it was a requirement for a grant application.
MINERS PACKAGE LIQUOR LICENSE
The council took no action on a preliminary request for a package liquor license from the owner of Miners Restaurant. Mayor John Hicks said the owner had contacted him to say “he wants to get out of the restaurant because the price of food and keeping help.” Hicks said the owner wants to keep his electronic gaming license and open a package liquor/smoke shop in the restaurant location.
Hicks indicated he is not in favor of the proposal, adding the city already has a package liquor operation. He said he’d rather explore options the city has at its disposal to keep the restaurant open.
“We already have one package liquor store,” said Ald. Rolando, “plus all the convenience stores have package liquor.”
“When you drive down Macoupin Street, it seems like all you see now are the big flags for gaming,” Ald. Pettit added.
“I’ll talk to him and see what we can do to help him keep the restaurant,” Hicks said. “I’d rather do that.”
FOOD TRUCK ORDINANCE
Council members voted unanimously to approve a new ordinance governing the operation of food trucks in the city but tabled action on a proposed ordinance regarding residential fences.
The new food truck ordinance establishes minimum sanitation and public health standards for food trucks, and restricts food trucks to operating only on private property in the city. The ordinance also establishes a permit fee structure calling for $100 for four days of operation, plus $25 for each additional day in excess of four days.
The proposed fence ordinance includes requirements on the height of fences and their location in regard to property lines. The council tabled action on the ordinance and directed the city attorney to add a clause to grandfather existing fences.
NEW DISPATCHER
Police Chief Jared DePoppe told council members he had secured permission from the Mayor to hire Lesli Frank as a full-time dispatcher to fill a vacancy on the police staff. Frank has a master’s degree in criminology, DePoppe said. Originally from the Staunton area, Frank most recently was employed as a dispatcher in Hillsboro.
DePoppe also secured permission from the council to send a yet unnamed recruit to the Illinois Police Academy for training. DePoppe said he had narrowed candidates to three finalists and expected to make a decision on hiring one of them soon. The next Police Academy training sessions begin in November.
The police chief also reported to the council that he is investigating a program under which the city can lease police cars from Enterprise Car Rentals. He said several police departments in Illinois use the program. DePoppe said he believes the program will save the city money overall while ensuring older cars are rotated out of service before they become repair and maintenance liabilities.
DePoppe advised the council that he wants to upgrade the department’s security camera system at a cost of $1,500. The current system is aging, he said and is a critical component of the police department’s operation. In addition to monitoring activity at the headquarters, the system also is used to record interviews with suspects and witnesses and is frequently used by other agencies.
Hicks commented that the city is considering purchasing security cameras for the Street Department and Civic Center. “We might be able to get a better price by bundling them together,” Hicks said.
WATER MAIN BREAK
The council spent several minutes discussing a recent water main break that precipitated a boil order for the city as well as satellite customers.
Ald. Bill Hayes allayed concerns that the break posed a threat to fire suppression in the city and surrounding communities. He said Fire Chief Larry Norville was “on top of it,” arranging for standby firefighting capabilities. Additionally, he said, the water tower was full and a fire hydrant at the base of the tower would have provided access to water for tankers if needed.
Ald. Pettit praised city workers for their rapid response but reported that water main maps the city has on file are inaccurate. He said the valve locations on the maps are wrong in many cases. To find a shutoff valve for the most recent break, city workers had to use a metal detector, according to Pettit.
ALL-CALL SYSTEM
The city will seek to collect phone numbers for all Water Department customers in anticipation of acquiring an all-call system to contact customers in the event of a citywide boil order. Ald. Dona Rauzi said she had consulted with Mark Carpani about a program the city could try for as little as $375 but council members declined to act until the city figures out how to compile nearly 2,000 phone numbers into a spreadsheet.
Rauzi said the system she looked at operated on the basis of “credits” with each credit representing one automated phone call. She said the city could purchase 10,000 credits for $700, or 5,000 credits for $375. The city could purchase additional credits in increments as small as 1,000 but unused credits at the end of the calendar year would be lost.
The system also would allow the city to send text messages to customers with a limit of 160 characters. The system also can deliver a recorded 45-second message. For phone customers who do not pick up and do not have voice mail, the system would try calling up to 11 times in an eight-hour period. The system requires no new software or hardware.
The council appeared poised to authorize the purchase of 5,000 credits until questions arose about compiling the spreadsheet of phone numbers.
“Who’s going to type these phone numbers?” Fisher asked, adding that office staff in the City Clerk’s office did not have time to devote to the project. Ald. Pettit suggested that aldermen could volunteer to come in during evening hours to type and proofread the list. In the meantime, city water customers will be contacted—probably through the billing system—to provide phone numbers for the all-call system.
Once the phone numbers are compiled, the council is expected to take final action regarding the purchase of the system.
SIDEWALK REPAIR
On a motion by Ald. Bob Fritz, the council agreed to pay for materials to replace a sidewalk in the 600 block of Adams Street that was damaged during the recent water infrastructure replacement project. The sidewalk project will replace about 151 feet of walkway, using about 8 yards of concrete and costing approximately $1,100.
VISITOR COMMENTS
A heated exchange between visitor Dave Link and Ald. Bill Hayes focused on the decision to remove a 10-foot section of damaged sidewalk on Macoupin Street. Link appeared before the council to again comment about residents parking on sidewalks in the residential area of Macoupin Street.
“I’ve been here I don’t know how many months complaining about people parking on the sidewalk,” Link said. He said police finally responded to his complaints and the behavior temporarily stopped. However, he said, residents have again begun parking vehicles on sidewalks.
Link complained about the removal of a section of sidewalk on Macoupin Street, alleging city officials decided it was easier to remove the sidewalk rather than stop people from parking on them.
A clearly perturbed Ald. Hayes said the damaged sidewalk was removed to accommodate a disabled person who could not navigate the broken walkway.
“Why didn’t you fix it?” Link wanted to know.
Hayes responded that Link allegedly has an unlicensed truck behind his business with weeds growing around it in violation of city ordinance.
The exchange eventually was ended by the Mayor calling for order.
After the argument, Fisher said that people parking on the boulevard is an issue the city should take seriously and should address.
“We need to give some thought to it,” Fisher said. “It impacts our drainage. It’s something we need to take seriously.”
Council members also heard from Bill Bruhn who thanked the Street Department and Mayor Hicks for responding to his complaint about a ditch at his residence damaged by the water infrastructure project. He also criticized city aldermen for failing to respond to his concerns previously.
“I got more done in an afternoon (talking to Hicks) than I got done in three years,” Bruhn said. “I fell in the ditch once and my grandson fell in it. There are several of you who knew it was a hazard.”
The council referred to the city attorney a request from Justin Hagen to vacate a portion of Biddle Street behind his residence in the 400 block of Diana Drive. Hagen said he and his neighbor have maintained the unused portion of the street for several years.
Later in the meeting, the council voted to refer the issue to City Attorney Rick Verticchio to determine if vacating the street is prudent and possible.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Declared 515 Frey Street a public nuisance.
- Authorized Dave Pickett to attend an Illinois Rural Water Association conference later this month.
- Approved a resolution to reimburse the city $4,988 from the Tax Increment Finance Fund for landscaping work done. By Patrick’s Landscaping.
- Approved a resolution to pay Schuette Design $2,800 from the TIF fund for work Dennis Schuete completed on analyzing the possibility of moving the Police Department into space at the Civic Center vacated by the Gillespie Fire Department.
- Approved payment resolutions for $3,925 to Wells Fargo Vender Financial, $2,689 to Curry and Associates Engineers and $1,318 to Sunbelt Rentals.
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FELONIES
Justine D. Pocklington, 27 of Standard City, possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams), aggravated feeling police/21 mph over, no valid registration, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a February 2 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Katlyn N. Pilger, 21 of Benld, is charged with theft/unauthorized control (<$500) in connection with a March 28 incident.
Donald L. Lloyd, 46 of Staunton, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with an April 5 incident.
TRAFFIC
Tarina S. Slaughter, 47 of Girard, is charged with improper use of registration/title, unlicensed, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an April 4 incident.
William C. Geiser, 60 of Gillespie, is charged with reckless driving in connection with an April 6 incident.
Lauren E. Wolfe, 21 of Granite City, is charged with improper use of registration/title and expiration of registration in connection with an April 3 incident.
Jim T. Wahl, 53 of Cottage Hills, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with an April 8 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Nora Washington versus Joseph D. Washington
- Samantha Lehnen versus Chad Wallace
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- Colton D. West of Hettick and Alina M. Carver of Scottville.
- Devin J. Martin and Mariah P. Crane, both of Bunker Hill.
- Jonathon E. Swisher of Shipman and Mackenzie P. Calvin of Saint Charles, MO.
- Lucas Boschelli and Danielle J. Boatman, both of Carlinville.
- Todd R. Leverton and Jennifer L. Bowman, both of Carlinville.
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SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Oak Street in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Oak Street in reference to harassment.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Main Street in Benld in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of Park Avenue in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Elm Street in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a 911 call.
MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2026
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
Jonathan M. Kirkwood, 29 of Benld, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for traffic.
An officer was dispatched to Maple Street and Adams Street in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was out with a female at Trolley Street and Central Avenue in Benld in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male in reference to a civil issue in the 200 block of South Main Street in Benld.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Henry Street in East Gillespie. Camden G. Zumwalt, 18 of Staunton, was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a well-being check.
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2026
Cory D. Norton, 33 of Columbus, NC, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for driving while driver’s license was suspended. He also has a warrant out of Montgomery County for failure to appear while driver’s license was suspended.
An officer was dispatched to the intersection of Madison Street and Wilson Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was out with a male at Staunton Road and Charles Street in reference to a traffic crash. Tanner E. Moore, 28 of Gillespie, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, improper lane usage, using an electronic communication device, and failure to change address.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Frey Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Staunton Road in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South 4th Street in Benld in reference to unwanted solicitors.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Maple Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of Richards Street in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was out in the 100 block of South Main Street in Benld. Amanda L. Broderick, 37 of Benld, was issued citations for unlawful possession of traffic signs and obstruction. Luther C. Welch, 31 of Shipman, was issued a citation for obstruction.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Berry Street in Mt. Clare in reference to a death investigation.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 300 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to illegal dumping and criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of North 6th Street in Benld in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to identity theft in the 1200 block of Second Street.
An officer initiated a traffic stop in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street. Andrea M. Hulsey, 30 of Mt. Clare, was issued a citation for her minor child not wearing a seatbelt.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Broadway in reference to a neighbor dispute.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 900 block of Springfield Road in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to Ben-Gil Elementary School in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to Kentucky Street and Hickory Street in Benld in reference to a noise complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Walnut Street to assist the Macoupin County Sheriff Department in serving an eviction notice.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Dorsey Road in Mt. Clare in reference to a well-being check.
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Dorsey Street in Benld in reference to a medical assist.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Donaldson Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and Main Street in Benld. Trinity A. Pruitt, 22 of Benld, was issued citations for speeding and for illegal transportation of cannabis.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to a civil issue.
The school resource officer brought a child to the Gillespie Police Department in reference to juvenile issues.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue in the 200 block of West Spruce Street.
An officer was dispatched to the 2300 block of Staunton Road in Mt. Clare in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Clay Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of East Central Avenue in Benld in reference to suspicious activity.
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2026
An officer was dispatched near the water plant in reference to juveniles fighting.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South Second Street in Benld in reference to assisting the Litchfield Police Department with a case.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Wilson Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Charles Street in reference to a civil issue.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Henry Street in East Gillespie. Leonard J. Schwartz, 55 of Edwardsville, was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Pine Street. Scott A. Byrd, 49 of Wilsonville, was issued a citation for expired registration.
SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2026
Larry E. Conlee, 42 of Mt. Clare, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for dangerous drugs. He was also arrested for resisting a peace officer and aggravated battery.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to an animal complaint on Bishop Drive at Gillespie Lake.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Hard Road in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of East Walnut Street in reference to solicitation.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Community News
“History Belongs to All of Us”: Focus of Carlinville Community Conversation Series starting May 4
“History Belongs to All of Us,” a three-month series of events and activities commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence and emphasizing Illinois’ role in seizing liberty for the American people will kick off Monday, May 4, and continue through July 16, 2026.
The series is project of Carlinville Winning Communities funded by a grant from Illinois Humanities. The events will encourage participants to examine and discuss the Declaration of Independence and other primary historical documents through facilitated conversations, according to Mary Tinder, a Macoupin County Historical Society & Carlinville Winning Communities board member.
Carlinville Winning Communities was one of only 13 entities statewide to receive an Illinois Humanities grant to support the Community Conversations Series.
We are fortunate to have received Illinois Humanities funding for this unique project, With 2026 being the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the 100th anniversary of Route 66, it is altogether fitting to explore where we’ve been and where we’re going, as well as to reflect on both and the cultural impact of our independence, Tinder said.
In keeping with the “History Belongs to All of Us” theme, several of the presentations and discussions will emphasize the role of Native Americans and the impact of American independence on Native American and other cultures.
Program topics will be explored through presentations by Illinois Humanities Road Scholars, live readings of historic documents, art, music and discussions. The programs are free to attend and all venues are handicapped accessible.
The series kicks off with “Illinois in the Revolutionary War,” a presentation by local historian and author Tom Emery, at 7 p.m., Monday, May 4, at the Macoupin County Historical Society’s Ruyle Genealogy Building, 920 W. Breckenridge St., Carlinville. Emery will lead a discussion of information included in his most recently published book, Illinois in the Revolutionary War.
“There was more to the war in Illinois than most people realize,” said Emery. “Revolutionary action took place in many parts of the state, and it was a struggle for all involved. It shows how hard many Americans worked for liberty.”
A discussion of Nicholas Welch’s 1812 Land Grant and the Autobiography of Ma-Ka-Tai-Me-She-Kia-Kiak, better known as Black Hawk, leader of the Sauk/Sac Indian tribes, is set for 7 p.m., Monday, June 1, in the Anderson Home parlor on the Macoupin County Historical Society grounds. Under the Land Grant program, the government set aside more than five million acres in western Illinois to compensate American war veterans with large tracts of land. Though Welch never set foot in Illinois, the granting of land to him displaced Black Hawk from his home in the area of present-day Rock Island. The facilitated discussion will focus on original historic documents, juxtaposing Welch’s land grant with Black Hawk’s experience.
Because of the smaller, more intimate venue, reservations are required. RSVP to marytinder1@gmail.com to reserve a seat.
“Relive the Mother Road: The Edwards Trace,” a collective analysis of documents and a look at contemporary research will be led by Illinois Humanities Road Scholar Anna Sielaff, Friday afternoon, June 26, during an Old Fashioned Route 66 Jubilee on the Macoupin County Courthouse lawn. Sielaff will discuss the 3,000-year-old Edwards Trace, used by Native Americans and early Illinois settlers, that stretched from Cahokia to Peoria. Portions of the trace run through Macoupin County, and some sections lay along the original alignment of Route 66. Imagine Rural Arts also will lead an art project in connection with how the trail was marked.
The Old Fashioned Route 66 Jubilee event runs from noon into the evening with food, musical performances, literary presentations, games, food and other activities.
The date is significant for Carlinville and Route 66 since 6/26/26 happens to be our zip code! The Jubilee offers a variety of experiences and taking a deeper look at the Edwards Trace and the Mother Road is an interesting way to explore local history on this unique date and location, Tinder noted.
Continuing on to the July 4th holiday, Macoupin County high school and college students will read the Declaration of Independence aloud in the main courtroom of the historic Macoupin County Courthouse in Carlinville at 10 a.m. The event also will feature a display of more than 30 historic flags provided by the George Rogers Clark Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. A facilitated discussion will follow the reading and participants will be invited to sign the “Macoupin County America @ 250 Time Capsule” book. The book will then be on display at the Macoupin County Historical Society, said Andrea Duncan, one of the organizers.
A unique and somewhat mysterious artifact from Macoupin County will be the subject of a presentation at 7 p.m., Monday, July 6, at the Historical Society’s Ruyle Genealogy Building. Sharon Breyden and husband Tommy Breyden will display and discuss the Black Hawk Tablet, uncovered in the 1940s on a farm near Hettick. The odd inscriptions on the lead medallion suggests Black Hawk and an early Macoupin settler formalized an agreement to peacefully coexist in central Illinois.
For the final program of the Carlinville Community Conversations series, Illinois Humanities Road Scholar Kim Sigafus, a member of the Ojibwa Native American tribe, will present “We the Native People” at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 16, at the Historical Society’s Ruyle Genealogy Building. The focus is on Native Americans at the time the Declaration of Independence was signed. The interactive program will use traditional story-telling and music to help audience members understand the groundswell changes in Native American culture and lifestyle resulting from American independence and subsequent western expansion.
For more information and details about the “History Belongs to All of Us” series, contact Carlinville Winning Communities Board members, Andrea Duncan, (217) 204-1446, or Mary Tinder, (217) 825-9699.
