Community News
Gillespie Council approves $394,000 tax levy, authorize pay increase for police chief
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 particpate in the state’s Illinois Funds investment program, hired a full-time police dispatcher and accepted a bid to exterminate termites at the city’s water treatment plant.
During a brief public hearing prior to the regular council meeting, City Treasurer Dan Fisher said the city is seeking a levy that is 4.988 percent in excess of what the city levied last year. A public hearing is required when the proposed tax levy exceeds the previous year’s tax extension by more than five percent. Last year, the council levied $375,371 for 2021 property taxes collectible in 2022.
Because Macoupin County is a tax cap county, taxing bodies are prohibited from receiving more than five percent or the consumer price index, whichever is less, in excess of their previous year’s tax extension. This year, for the first time since voters adopted tax caps in 1995, the consumer price index exceeds five percent, meaning taxing bodies can receive up to five percent more in property taxes than the received last year. The actual tax rate and the tax extension, the amount the taxing body actually receives, is determined by the County Clerk on the bases of the proposed levy and the current equalized assessed valuation of property subject to taxation. For this reason, most taxing bodies levy for more money than they actually will receive in order to maximize their property tax revenue.
Broken down by various funds, the newly approved levy calls for a levy of $64,637 for corporate purposes, compared with $61,565 last year; $27,829 for Police Protection, compared with $25,247 last year; $37,704 for Streets and Bridges, compared with $35,912 a year ago; $10,771 for Emergency Services and Disaster Administration (ESDA), compared with $10,259 last year; $62,841 for Liability Insurance, compared with $59,854 last year; $16,158 for Parks, compared with $15,390 last year; $3,592 for the Municipal Band, compared with $3,258 last year; $113,116 for Social Security, compared with $107,740 last year; and $57,454 for the Public Library, compared with $52,123 a year ago.
The levy represents about 10 percent of the entire municipal budget, according to Fisher.
“Our total budget is about $4 million a year,” Fisher advised, “so property taxes are a relatively small part of our budget.”
SALARY INCREASE FOR POLICE CHIEF
On a motion by Ald. Dona Rauzi, the council agreed to raise Police Chief DePoppe’s salary from $65,500 to $72,000. In addition, DePoppe will receive a $2,000 bonus to be paid in two installments from federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) money the city received last year. Rauzi said other employees received the bonus last year and it seemed right that the Police Chief should receive it as well.
Rauzi said the recommendation emerged from a meeting that included other Police Committee members, the Mayor, City Treasurer and DePoppe.
“The Chief has not had a pay raise or requested one in the past 12 years,” Rauzi said.
Mayor Hicks said because DePoppe had not received a raise in more than a decade and the Lieutenant’s salary was approaching DePoppe’s level of pay. In addition, he noted, DePoppe is on call 24/7 unlike other Police Department employees.
Ald. Rick Fulton, the only alderman to oppose the action, did not offer an explanation for his vote.
Council members voted unanimously to approve DePoppe’s recommendation to hire part-time dispatcher Lily Pullen as a full-time dispatcher, replacing Ellen Collman, a full-time dispatcher who recently accepted a position with the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office and submitted her resignation, effective Dec. 10. DePoppe said Collman is continuing to work for Gillespie as a part-time dispatcher for the time being but indicated he probably will return to the council with a recommendation to fill Pullen’s position at a later date.
City aldermen gave Chief DePoppe permission to buy three new taser units from Axon at a cost of $9,000 before the end of the year. DePoppe said the department has two tasers that are seven to eight years old. The industry recommendation is to replace units every five years, DePoppe said. DePoppe told the council Axon will buy the department’s two outdated units for a total of $2,000 if the city purchases its new tasers before Jan. 1 but will not offer the buy-back option after Jan. 1.
According to DePoppe, the additional taser is needed because the department has more officers than it had when the older units were purchased.
“They are a valuable tool for our officers,” he said.
In other police-related business, the council approved an intergovernmental agreement to continue to provide police protection services to the Village of East Gillespie at a cost of $600 per month.
Ald. Rauzi briefly reported on progress being made toward moving the police department into space at the Civic Center vacated by the Gillespie Fire Department. The Fire Department has moved its equipment and offices to the former Cavallo Coach garages on the north side of East Gillespie. Meanwhile, Rauzi said the Police Committee has been working with Staunton architect Dennis Schuette to create a design for converting the old fire department facility to house the Police Department, and is working with an electrical engineer to determine electrical needs.
Rauzi said the committee will be getting more information on the cost of the project and advised the council the city may have to take out a loan to pay for the renovation.
A proposal presented by Chief DePoppe to lease squad cars from Enterprise Car Rental was referred to committee for further study with an eye toward the council taking final action at a later meeting. DePoppe recalled that the city bought additional used squad cars to service Benld when the city agreed to provide police protection to the neighboring community. Of the seven squad cars in the current fleet, five are in need of replacement due to the age of the vehicles, mileage and excessive maintenance cost. According to DePoppe, the department spent $21,000 over the past three years on vehicle maintenance.
Leasing vehicles, he said, would cost $1,000 per month per vehicle. At the end of the lease, Enterprise would take back the vehicles and sell them with the proceeds of the sale going to the city. New vehicles would then be provided and the lease agreement would continue. The city would be responsible for routine maintenance such as oil changes but major repair costs would be borne by Enterprise.
At issue is whether or not the lease agreement would be more cost-effective than a traditional purchase.
“Let us chew on this a little more,” Mayor Hicks told DePoppe, recommending that the issue be referred to committee.
CHRISTMAS BONUSES
On a motion by Ald. Frank Barrett, the council voted to buy $100 Visa cards from United Community Bank to be distributed to city employees in lieu of a traditional Christmas bonus. The action followed a lengthy discussion during which Ald. Dona Rauzi reported that if the council approved a traditional bonus, employees would be unlikely to get their checks prior to the Christmas holiday.
Rauzi said the city’s accountant has advised in recent years that the city should deduct income tax from bonus checks the same as if the bonus was part of the employee’s regular salary. Allowing time for the accountant to calculate the income tax and deduct it from the checks would push distribution of the checks until after Christmas, she said.
Several aldermen expressed concerns over the fact the city’s 26 employees would not get the full $100 bonus authorized by the council.
After further discussion, it was decided to buy Visa cards for employees as a way to preclude any delay and circumvent the tax issue.
MOTOR FUEL TAX RESOLUTION
On the recommendation of City Treasurer Fisher, the council approved a $250,000 motor fuel tax resolution, but did not go into details about specifics of how the money will be used. Ald. Rauzi had opened the discussion by asking about including slag to apply to streets after oiling next summer in response to complaints about dust associated with the gravel the city used this year. Fisher, however, said it was too early to seek bids for slag and other materials.
“There are three parts to the process,” Fisher said. “First, you have to pass a resolution for the motor fuel tax program.” Without knowing how specific streets will fare through the winter, Fisher said the city would need to wait until spring to choose the streets to be resurfaced and make decisions about what materials will be used. He recommended passing an amended resolution later in 2023 to seek bids for materials and determine which streets will be included in the maintenance program.
Rauzi said she misunderstood the deadline and had brought up the slag because she thought the council needed to make that decision before the end of the year.
ILLINOIS FUNDS ENROLLMENT
Also on Fisher’s recommendation, the council voted unanimously to authorize the treasurer to invest city funds in Illinois Funds, a program administered by the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office that allows public entities to pool money for investment. Pooling money from multiple taxing bodies allows the state to secure a better rate of return.
Fisher said the city plans to invest about $1 million in the fund, which currently is paying a return just under four percent.
AMBULANCE DISPATCHING CONTRACT
Council members unanimously authorized City Attorney Rick Verticchio to contact the Gillespie-Benld Area Ambulance Service to advise the ambulance board that the city will increase its fee for providing dispatching services to $1,500 per month as of Jan. 1. Verticchio said the city agreed to continue providing dispatching services at a lower rate eight months ago after the ambulance service promised to obtain dispatching services from another provider.
“It’s been eight months and they haven’t moved,” Verticchio explained.
NUISANCE PROPERTIES
Following a half-hour executive session to discuss litigation, the council voted to authorize City Attorney Verticchio to file suit against the owners of four nuisance properties who failed to bring their properties into compliance after receiving citations.
Additionally, the council agreed to hire a structural engineer to examine properties at 109 South Macoupin (former Dollar General location) and 300 South Macoupin. Both properties were declared nuisance properties last month and Verticchio said he had contacted the owners, both of whom asked the city to document what needed to be done to bring the properties into compliance. Verticchio said the engineer will examine the roofs and determine if any structural damage needed to be addressed. In the event the properties remain in nuisance status, Verticchio said a lien could be placed against the properties to recoup the cost of the engineer.
TERMITE BID
Council members accepted a bid of $1,200 Tank’s Pest Control, Gillespie, to treat a garage at the Water Treatment Plant for termites. Justin Thornhill, owner of Tank’s Pest Control, reportedly inspected the termite infestation and concluded that no structural damage had been done to the building. His bid was for a one-time, lifetime treatment.
One other bid was received from Garrella Pest Control which proposed an ongoing program costing $590 for the first year and $315 for subsequent treatments.
At the urging of Treasurer Fisher, Ald. Bill Hayes amended his motion to accept the bid contingent upon certifying that the chemicals the vendor uses are cleared for usage in close proximity to a water treatment plant.
CREDIT CARD FEE
After several minutes of discussion, the council rescinded its previous action to impose a fee for customers of the city using credit cards to make payments to the city. Last month, the council voted 7-1 to impose a three percent fee for persons using credit cards to make payments to the city.
Monday night Treasurer Fisher, who argued in favor of the fee last month, reported that the city’s bookkeeping program does not have an option for adding a credit card fee. “It will let us add a late fee, but it doesn’t allow us to add a credit card fee without adding a patch to the program,” he said. There was no mention of what it would cost to have a programmer create a patch for the program.
Ald. Wendy Rolando questioned whether or not the cost of imposing the fee would outweigh the financial benefit of collecting it. “What’s it going to cost us in extra accounting fees,” she asked, “or adding a computer patch?”
“I’d rather just eat that three percent or shop around for a bank with a better rate,” Mayor Hicks commented.
Ald. Landon Pettit, who moved to rescind the fee, reiterated his position that the fee should be considered part of the cost of doing business.
“You’re talking about a couple of hundred bucks a month,” Pettit said.
WATER BILL
Following a lengthy discussion, a divided council voted to reduce a water bill incurred by Bill and Nanci Grandone. Early in the meeting, Nanci Grandone reported to the council that the couple’s reported water usage inexplicably soared from 3,000 gallons per day to more than 32,000 gallons a day for several days in late July and early August. Joe Allen, who does maintenance work for the Grandones, said he investigated in the crawlspace of the couple’s home and searched the yard for evidence of a water leak but was unable to find anything.
“If there was a leak with that much water, she would have noticed it,” Allen said.
Dave Pickett, Water Plant Supervisor, said he checked the couple’s water meter and determined it to be accurate.
“I think it was a failure on our part,” said Ald. Pettit, who moved to reduce the bill from $679.45 to $339.73—essentially sharing the liability between the city and the couple. “We should have acted faster.”
Others on the council argued against setting a precedent of reducing excessive water bills, but Ald. Frank Barrett recalled the city had negotiated water bills in the past.
“I think she’s liable for it,” said Ald. Bill Hayes, who voted present on Pettit’s motion to reduce the bill.
Brought to a vote, Pettit’s motion was approved with Ald. Rauzi voting “no,” and Ald. Hayes and Ald. Fulton voting “present.”
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Approved an ordinance making the intersection of Osie and Green streets a four-way stop, and authorized Verticchio to write a draft ordinance to make the intersection of Plum and Western streets a four-way stop.
- Agreed to contract with Feeley Tree Service to remove a tree at 515 Park Avenue, contingent upon Feeley also removing the stump as part of the contract.
- Authorized a payment resolution to authorize payment of $19,962.14 to Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, $2,725.41 to Curry & Associates Engineers, $7,425 to Erb Equipment, $2,500 to Mark Ranger Excavating, $128,527.03 to Schultz Supply and a $6,461 reimbursement to the City of Gillespie for work completed on the renovation of the city’s Water Treatment Plant.
- Authorized payment of $4,200 from Tax Increment Finance funds to Dennis Schuette Design for work completed on developing plans for renovating the former Fire Department facility to house the Police Department.
Comments
Representatives of a food management company pitched their vision for reshaping school lunch and breakfast offerings at Community Unit School District 7 schools during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education. Later, however, the head cook at BenGil Elementary School expressed doubts about what the company promised to deliver. “They make it sound like it’s all a gravy train,” said Jackie McKinney. “It’s not.”
No action followed a 20-minute presentation by Bill Fritcher, Business Development Associate, and Angie Eden, a food service worker, from Opaa! Food Management, Inc., Chesterfield, Mo. There was no clear indication whether the board or district administration is leaning toward contracting with the company.
Founded in 1978, Opaa! Provides food management services to more than 800 schools in 250 school districts spread out over seven states. The company serves 21 schools in Illinois, including the nearby Staunton, Litchfield, Jersey and Nokomis school districts. The company claims a 97 percent retention rate among its client schools.
Fritcher, a former administrator in the Neoga school district, said the company emphasizes home-cooked foods made from scratch. Opaa! provides both hot and cold entrees, and schools can tailor offerings to meet their needs and budgets. Hot entrees include items such as roast turkey, meatloaf, cheeseburgers, pizzas and spaghetti. The company also serves a variety of cold sub sandwiches. Again, depending upon the details of its contract with a school district, the company can provide a salad bar, along with fresh fruit.
Breakfast offerings can include hot or cold cereal, waffles, biscuits and gravy, and breakfast burritos. Some client schools offer a “breakfast on the go” option where students can grab a breakfast item during the mid-morning hours of the school day. As part of its service, Opaa! would provide an all-day “Gulp Station” with dispensers of lemonade, iced tea and water.
“There’s a lot of local control over menu items,” Fritcher said. “If a school doesn’t want us serving coffee to students, we don’t serve coffee.”
Fritcher said the school district would continue to set pricing for school lunches and breakfasts, collect payments and control the revenue stream. The district also would continue to own food service equipment and facilities. At a minimum, Opaa! would place it’s own employee as a food service manager, but other food service workers can be either Opaa! employees or employees of the school district. In either case, the school district would have final say over who is allowed to work in the school district.
“You’d have control of who is working in the school and is around your kids,” Fritcher said.
According to Fritcher, the company emphasizes presentation.
“We want the food to look good so kids will eat it,” he said. “We strive to make it enjoyable for the kids.”
Client schools submit photos of daily offerings to the home office for approval, Eden said. As an example, she cited an instance when she submitted a photo from Neoga that included broccoli as a side item. The home office said the broccoli looked too brown and demanded it be replaced with fresher produce.
Fritcher said the company employees an executive chef to create recipes and standards for food served to students. The chef has created a number of streaming videos used to train on site staff.
Key to the operation is a computer program for food management. Eden said the program monitors what food the district has in the freezer and pantry, and adjust menus to best utilize resources on hand. The program also provides a portal parents and students can access to see weekly menus.
A food management contract would be subject to state bidding requirements, according to Fritcher. To start the process, the district would create a Request for Proposals to solicit bids. If Opaa! Is the successful bidder, the company would offer a five-year fixed price agreement, renewable on an annual basis. Either party would be able to end the contract upon a 90-day notice.
During a public comment period, McKinney alleged Opaa!’s promises have not matched reality in nearby school districts. The head cook at Litchfield, she pointed out, quit soon after Opaa! took over. Pizzas and some other food items, she said, do not match the company’s claims.
“We were told this is not about the money, it’s about the choices,” she said. “If you want more options, someone needs to tell us.”
McKinney said she has been employed by the district in food services since 2002. The proposal to hire an outside food management company, she said, comes as “a slap in the face.”
McKinney predicted problems if the district contracts with Opaa!, particularly in the elementary school.
“I don’t see how our kindergarteners are going to be able to carry their own tray and serve themselves,” she said. “They’re going to drop their trays. We get our kids through the serving line in five minutes so they have time to sit down and eat. When they have to make their own tray, how long do you think that’s going to take?”
McKinney also predicted issues with food sanitation when young children with runny noses and/or dirty hands are expected to serve themselves from the food line.
McKinney said an outside company cannot be expected to know local students like local food service workers know them.
“I watch for a little boy who comes through my line every day because I know he doesn’t get food at home like he does here,” she said. “We’re here for the kids and I don’t think these people are.”
In a somewhat related matter which could facilitate transitioning to an outside food service, the board accepted with “regret” the retirements of head high school/middle school cook Penny Feeley and GHS/GMS cook Janice Hammann, both effective on June 30.
PERSONNEL
The board took action on a number of personnel issues following an executive session of about one hour.
In separate actions, the board voted unanimously to rehire the following fourth-year teachers and grant them tenure for the 2024-25 school year: Nikki Jenner, Katie Lievers, Alex Newton, Pete Visintin and Jacob West.
The following non-tenured staff were hired for the 2024-25 school year: school nurse Rachel Bouillon, fifth grade teacher Radeana Gentzyel, speech pathologist Kaylee Collins, special education teacher Jaiden Braundmeier, kindergarten teacher Jessica Yeager, fist grade teacher Sydney Owsley, band teacher Brad Taulbee, chorus teacher Ben McCullough, Tim Biggs, special education teacher Cory Bonstead, and Dalton Barnes.
On a motion by Peyton Bernot, seconded by Mark Hayes, the board rehired the following tenured teachers for 2024-25: Lorraine Strutner, Jody Dunn, Melissa Bussmann, Tracy Hostettler, Darrick Urban, Kara Saracco, Kelly Lyons, Holly Nejmanowski, Jennifer Parker, Anastasia Hobaugh, Cate Plovich, Amy Price, Nickie Barrett, Jessi Luketich, Mindy Savant, Karissa Smith, Beth Sees, Valerie Jubelt, Carrie Scott, Dana Tieman, Marcia Johns, Colleen Favre, Celia Jubelt, Jamie Schmidt, Nancy Schmidt, Lori Emmons, Vanessa Barrett, Amy Geddes, Lisa Ballinger, Amber Allan, Kim Henderson, Christina Blevins, Chase Peterson, Jessica Kelly, Tammy Garde, Nate Heinrich’s, Casey Edgerton, Kyle Lamar, Stephanie Wilson, Elizabeth Thackery, Shanna Conner, Matthew Browner, Jeremy Smith, Rachelle Prough, Jarrod Herron, Jill Stole, Korben Clark, Kayla Wills, Nikki Browner, Kevin McNichols, Katie Orange, Robert Macias, Casey Sholtis, Jennifer Brown, Jeff Nelhs, Mark Goldasich, Troy Barker, Michelle Smith, Holley McFarland, Michael Bertagnolli, Mary Schuette, Nichole Stoecker, Amy Goldasich, David Edgerton, Ashlee Gibbs, Stuart Ringer, Kelly Bully, Whitney Page and Stephanie Bray.
The board accepted “with regret” the retirement of BenGil Elementary teacher Dana Tieman, effective at the end of the 2027-28 school year. The board also accepted “with regret” the resignation for purposes of retirement of GMS paraprofessional Ella May Roemer, effective at the end of the 2024 fiscal year, and posted the position as vacant.
Board members accepted the resignation of high school paraprofessional Darian Gill, and posted the position as vacant. The board also accepted Gill’s resignation at the GHS/GMS cheerleading coach and posted that position as vacant.
Board members unanimously agreed to post vacancies for the following summer school positions: high school math, English and drivers’ education; middle school math, English and science; and six elementary positions. Additionally, the board posted two summer school food service positions.
The board accepted “with regret” the resignation of long-time GHS head women’s basketball coach Kevin Gray, and posted the position as vacant. The board also accepted the resignation of Korbin Clark as GMS seventh-grade basketball coach and posted the position as vacant.
The board voted unanimously to appoint Elizabeth Eaker as a volunteer assistant dance coach, pending verification of certification and a background check. In separate actions, the board agreed to appoint Foley Seferi and James Bryant a volunteer assistant high school football coaches, pending verification of certification and a background check.
By a unanimous vote, the board accepted the resignation of district custodian Owen Parker, and posted the position as vacant. The board also voted to post vacancies for two full-route bus drivers for the 2024-25 school year, and hired Billie Bowles as a substitute bus driver, pending verification of certification and a background check.
REPAVING
The board awarded a $62,524 contract to DeLaurent Construction Co., Inc., Wilsonville, to repave five district parking lots. DeLaurent was the low bidder for the project. The contract will be paid from proceeds of a $1.6 million alternate revenue bond sale for capital projects.
Supt. Shane Owsley reported that he is starting to gather estimates for other upcoming projects to be underwritten with bond revenue, including a project to refinish the high school gym floor, a project to reline the all-weather track and a major HVAC project.
SURPLUS WEIGHT ROOM EQUIPMENT
On Owsley’s recommendation, the board accepted a list of surplus weight room equipment and agreed to offer the equipment for sale via sealed bids. The equipment, which includes stationary bikes, running machines, free weights, benches, dumbbells and racks, was replaced with new equipment as part of a recently completed project to renovate and re-equip the weight room.
EARLY GRADUATION REQUESTS
On a motion by Bill Carter, seconded by Weye Schmidt, the board unanimously approved early graduation requests for Maria Alger, Eliana Barrios-Madison, Owen Baugh, Gage Bonds, Abby Carter, John Q. Halterman, Eva Hidden, Felicia Lambert, Emma Luckshis, Ashley Markulakis, McKenna Montoro, Kaden Reiffer, Abigail Sharp, Jayden Stangle, Cooper Wentler, Ashton Whitlow and Avery Young. The students will be allowed to graduate at the end of their eleventh year of high school at the end of the current school year, provided all graduation requirements have been met.
DISTRICT FOCUS
During a District Focus segment, the board recognized high school women’s basketball coach Kevin Gray, who is retiring after a career of 16 seasons. High School Principal Jill Rosentreter noted that Gray led this year’s team to the Sectional Tournament in Beardstown after winning their first regional championship since 2012. The team also won its first County Tournament since 2002, and celebrated 26 wins—the most ever.
During the Carlinville Rotary’s All-Star Game, Gray was named Rotary’s Coach of the Year.
“On behalf of CUSD 7 and all you former players, we express much gratitude for your many years of service, dedication, leadership, wisdom and professional demeanor on and off the court,” Rosentreter told Gray.
Also during the District Focus, a group of fifth graders told the board about their recent field trip to Busch Stadium, where they learned about practical math applications and other subjects.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the board:
- Gave final approval to the 2024-25 school calendar, calling for the first day of school attendance on Aug. 14 with the last day of school set for May 29, or earlier if no emergency days are used.
- Approved a schedule of board meeting dates for the coming year. The board will meet in executive session at 6 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month with the open session beginning at 7 p.m. The December meeting is set one week earlier on Dec. 16 to avoid conflict with the winter break.
- Awarded the annual bid to supply fuel to low bidder M & M Service Co., Carlinville.
- Voted to renew the district’s annual membership in the Illinois High School Association.
- Rescheduled the April board meeting from Monday, April 22, to Tuesday, April 23, to avoid a conflict.
Comments
SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Elm Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Biddle Street in reference to child abuse.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of East Walnut Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to Madison Street and Wilson Street in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of East Chestnut Street in Benld in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was out in the 400 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a security check.
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of LJ Avenue in reference to a domestic battery. Regan M. Treadway, 22, of Hillsboro was arrested for domestic battery.
Gillespie Police Department assisted the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department with a criminal investigation.
An officer was dispatched to the 900 block of South Madison Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of East Burton Street in reference to an ordinance issue of illegal burning. Charles H. Daubman, 62, of Gillespie was issued a citation for illegal burning.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Harding Avenue in East Gillespie in reference to a noise complaint.
An officer during normal patrol in the 100 block of South 7th Street in Benld noticed a trunk open on a vehicle. The officer made contact with the owners and they secured the trunk after checking it.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of North 4th Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male in reference to illegal dumping.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Hickory in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South 2nd Street in Benld in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Easton Street in reference to a civil standby.
The School Resource Officer called in requesting assistance in reference to a female student that had left the school.
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Madison Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer was dispatched to Route 4 by the nursing home to check on a person on a bike with no lights.
An officer was dispatched to Maple Street and Route 138 in Benld in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of East Spruce Street in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Gillespie Street in reference to juvenile issues.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Walnut Street in reference to a dog at large.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 300 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to an animal complaint.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2024
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and 2nd Street in Benld. Logan G. Lawson, 22, of Roodhouse was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer initiated a traffic stop in the 200 block of North Hard Road in Mt. Clare. David E. Schmidt, 46, of Staunton was issued citations for speeding, expired registration, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Spruce Street in reference to illegal parking.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Jersey Street in reference to an open line 911 call.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Broadway Street and LJ Avenue. Candace N. Carlen, 36, of New Douglas was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a theft in the 200 block of West Oak Street.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious noise.
An officer was dispatched to West Dorsey Street and South Kentucky Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Biddle Street in reference to a medical assist.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and Main Street in Benld. Esha V. Bhatt, 30, of Edwardsville was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and Main Street in Benld. Nicole L Richey, 34, of Wilsonville was issued a citation for speeding and expired registration.
THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South 4th Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of 9th Street in Benld in reference to a suicidal subject
An officer was out with a suspicious person at Main Street and Spruce Street in Benld.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Elm Street. Walter L. Vester, 29, of Gillespie was arrested on a Glenn Carbon warrant for larceny.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Broadway Street and LJ Avenue. Jordan L. Jett, 23, of Hillsboro was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Litchfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to aggravated assault. Levi T. Kroll, 34, of Carlinville was arrested for aggravated assault, criminal damage to property, and operation of a vehicle with suspended registration.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of North 5th Street in Benld in reference to a theft.
An officer was dispatched to LJ Avenue where multiple vehicles were parked in a no-parking zone. After multiple announcements asking them to move, two vehicles remained and received citations. Jeromy J Moore, 47, of Greenfield and Matthew E. Raffety, 52, of Bunker Hill were issued citations for parking in a no-parking zone.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to a domestic battery. Mitchela P. Zbornak, 34, of Gillespie was arrested for domestic battery.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Wilson Street in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Madison Street in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of West Oak Street in reference to an ordinance issue for illegal burning.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Oak Street in reference to a possible burglary.
The School Resource Officer called in reckless driving in the high school parking lot.
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2024
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 900 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to retail theft and criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to Illinois Street and Kentucky Street in Benld in reference to a loud vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to a suspicious person.
SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Oak Street in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Chestnut Street in reference to a 911 hang-up call.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of East Oak for a 911 untraceable call the officers checked the area and were unable to find an emergency.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Illinois Street in Benld in reference to a medical assist.
An officer was dispatched to down wires at Dorsey Road and 1st Street in Mt. Clare. Ameren was contacted to remove the wiring.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Community News
Denby wins judicial nomination in three-way race; Trump, Biden top choices for Macoupin voters
Carlinville attorney Thomas Denby easily sailed to victory in a three-way race to be nominated as the Republican candidate for Resident Seventh Judicial Circuit Court Judge in Macoupin County in Tuesday’s Primary Election balloting.
Denby captured 63.26 percent of the Republican vote, easily besting Jonathan Verticchio’s 23.46 percent and Aaron Bellm’s 13.28 percent. In terms of raw vote numbers, Denby landed 2,534 votes to Verticchio’s 940 votes and Bellm’s 532 votes.
There were no judicial candidates for the race on the Democrat side of the ballot.
As a result of Tuesday’s election, Denby is likely to step into the office being vacated Resident Circuit Judge Kenneth Deihl, who was first elected as a Democrat in 2006, when he narrowly defeated Republican nominee Kevin Polo. It’s unclear whether or not the Democrat Central Committee can legally name a candidate to run against Denby in the General Election this fall, meaning Denby is the likely successor to Deihl.
There were no surprises locally in the Presidential races. Macoupin Democrats favored incumbent Joe Biden with 89.62 percent of the vote, while Republicans cast 83.39 percent of their votes for former President Donald Trump.
Although no longer a candidate, Nikki Haley gained 12.18 percent of the Republican vote. Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie and Ryan Brinkley each took less than three percent of the Republican vote. On the Democrat side, Biden’s support was eroded by 10.28 percent of the vote shared by Dean Phillips, Marianne Williamson and Frank Lozada.
A total of 5,741 voters cast votes in the Macoupin Primary, representing 18.67 percent of the county’s 30,757 registered voters. That could indicate a softening of interest in the Biden/Trump rematch. In 2016, when Trump and Hilary Clinton were nominated, a stunning 45.82 percent of Macoupin’s voters cast ballots in the primary election. Four years later, 23.54 percent of the county’s voters participated in the primary, despite restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the Republican nomination for U.S. Congressional Representative for the 13th District, Joshua Loyd took 57.28 percent of the Macoupin vote, compared with 42.72 percent for Thomas Clatterback. The Congressional vote mirrored voting district-wide in which Loyd took the nomination with 55.9 percent of the total vote. Loyd will take on freshman Representative Nikki Budzinski on the Democrat side, who ran unopposed for the nomination.
A number of county races were unopposed. On the Democrat side, incumbent Jordan Garrison took 1,387 votes for State’s Attorney, while incumbent Coroner Anthony Kravanya took 1,471 Democrat votes. On the Republican side Amy J. Ashby took 3,448 votes to be nominated for Circuit Clerk. Ashby becomes the likely successor to Democrat Lee Ross who is stepping down.
Though not likely, both parties could name candidates to run for county offices in November. Otherwise Garrison, Kravanya and Ashby will run unopposed for the General Election. A win by Ashby would make her the second Republican constitutional officer in the Courthouse. Two years ago, County Treasurer Amber McGartland became the first Republican elected to a Courthouse office since A.C. “Julie” Bartulis served as Treasurer in the 1960s.
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Gillespie Police Report: March 17-23, 2024