Community News
Gillespie Council approves conditional use permit for 57-acre solar energy field
With a new mayor and a newly appointed alderman in place, the Gillespie City Council on Monday night voted 5-1 to approve the city Zoning Board’s recommendation to issue a conditional use permit for Sol Source Power to develop a 57.5-acre solar energy field located southwest of the city.
Sol Source Power, with offices in Troy, New York, and Chicago, plans to build solar field on land leased from property owners Larry and Susan Willis at 16678 Three Mile Road. Willis Solar 1 will have 10,416 solar modules and generate 10,400,000 kilowatt hours every year—enough to power more than 866 homes.
Margaret Blum, representing Willis Solar 1, LCC, briefly addressed the council, generally describing the scope of the project and reporting that the company’s request for a conditional use permit had been recommended by the Zoning Board. Though the property is technically located outside the city limits, it is within a 1.5-mile buffer zone subject to municipal zoning codes.
Construction on the project is expected to begin in October and continue through February 2026. It’s anticipated the facility will go online in March 2026. The company says the project will provide local construction jobs during the construction phase and will facilitate the county collecting increased property tax revenue from the acreage for as long as the solar field remains in operation. Additionally, the company will assume the cost of required infrastructure improvements such as improving township roads to support additional traffic during the construction phase.
Like most solar fields, Willis Solar 1 will operate with remote monitoring. On-site equipment checks will occur about once a month and vegetation management will be done two to three times a year. While the risks of fire or explosion are small, the company will provide specialized training to Gillespie Unit 7 Fire Protection District firefighters for combatting fire at the facility.
Once the project is online, local consumers can “subscribe” get a portion of their electrical service from the new solar field. Subscribers will receive credits on their regular utility bill for their share of solar power generated by the field. Savings typically amount to about 10 percent of a household’s monthly electric bill.
The Willis project marks the third community solar project the council has green-lighted in the past two years. In October 2023, the council approved a conditional use permit for a 45-acre solar field Cypress Creek Renewables plans to build on a site just off Washer Road. The $10 million project is expected to generate enough power to run 1,100 homes. In March this year, the council approved a conditional use permit for an 18-acre solar field at the north end of the Coal Country Sports Complex, the former site of the Little Dog Coal Mine.
Ald. Janet Odell-Mueller casted the sole negative vote against granting the conditional use permit for Willis Solar 1. Ald. Bob Fritz, Ald. Frank Barrett, Ald. Dona Rauzi, Ald. Bill Hayes, and newly appointed Ald. J.Q. Halteman all voted “yes.” Ald. Wendy Rolando and Ald. Dave Link were absent.
NEW MAYOR, NEW CLERK
Monday night’s meeting was convened by Mayor Pro Tem Rauzi, acting in the absence of outgoing Mayor John Hicks. The outgoing city government heard from citizens who wanted to address the council, accepted city reports and approved bills falling under the jurisdiction of the outgoing city officials before adjourning the meeting “sine die,” officially ending the outgoing council’s authority.
City Attorney Rick Verticchio administered the oath of office to Ald. Barrett, Ald.Odell-Mueller and Ald. Fritz, all of whom were re-elected to four-year terms during the April 1 Consolidated Election. Verticchio also administered the oath to Tammy Beechler who was elected City Clerk, replacing three-term Clerk Frances Smith.
Former Ward 3 Ald. Landon Pettit was sworn in as the city’s newly elected Mayor, stepping into the shoes of John Hicks who chose not to seek re-election after serving four terms. Pettit, who was sworn in upon a Bible given to him after the death of his grandfather two years ago, called for a 40-minute executive session to discuss personnel, legal issues and collective bargaining as his first official act as mayor.
Upon returning to open session, the council approved Pettit’s appointment of J.Q. Halteman to serve as Ward 3 alderman, filling the vacancy created by Pettit’s election to the Mayor’s seat. No one filed for election to the aldermanic seat for the April 1 election, necessitating an appointment. Halteman will serve a truncated two-year term, after which he can chose to seek election to the seat or step down.
The Council also approved Pettit’s appointment of current City Treasurer Dan Fisher to continue his role temporarily until the council’s regular June meeting, when Rusty Fredericks, a former city alderman, will be sworn in as permanent City Treasurer. Also approved was Ald. Rauzi’s appointment as Police Commissioner and Mayor Pro Tem. Ald. Odell-Mueller was appointed as Public Works Commissioner, while Colin Mussatto was re-appointed as ESDA Administrator, Verticchio reappointed as City Attorney, and Jared DePoppe reappointed as Police Chief.
Committee assignments will remain virtually the same except that Halteman will take Pettit’s place on the committees on which he served:
- STREET AND SEWER: Fritz, chair; Halteman; Odell-Mueller.
- WATER DEPARTMENT: Hayes, chair; Fritz; Odell-Mueller.
- POLICE: Rauzi, chair; Hayes; Halteman.
- LAKE: Barrett, chair; Halteman; Odell-Mueller.
- ESDA: Fritz, chair; Rauzi; Halteman.
- FINANCE & INSURANCE: Rolando, chair; Hayes; Rauzi.
- PARKS & RECREATION: Rolando, chair; Odell-Mueller; Barrett.
- BUILDINGS & GROUNDS: Fritz, chair; Rolando; Barrett.
- PERSONNEL & SAFETY: Raust, chair; Odell-Mueller; Halteman.
- BAND: Rolando, chair; Hayes; Barrett.
TRASH TALK
A discussion about whether or not to sponsor a Citywide Clean-Up led to a larger discussion about trash pick-up in general. Pettit said he and city aldermen had heard from a number of constituents who are upset that the city no longer sponsors clean-up efforts. The last Citywide Clean-Up was 14 years ago, according to Pettit. In the meantime, the estimated cost of providing dumpsters at City Hall for residents to use for disposing of debris has increased to $15,000 to $20,000.
In addition to the cost of providing dumpsters for two days, the city would have to pay city workers to work on Friday and for a half-day on Saturday.
“I don’t think we have $15,000 available to pay for this,” Treasurer Fisher admonished.
“We don’t really need to spend the money, but when you get that much pushback, you kind of have to take a step back and listen to the people,” Pettit said.
Ultimately the issue was referred to committee with the expectation the committee will make a recommendation to the full council next month.
Ald. Rauzi, who last month introduced the idea of contracting with a one trash hauler to provide residential service citywide, said such a contract would include a Citywide Clean-Up program twice each year. “That would save the city at least $30,000 a year,” she noted.
Earlier in the meeting, during a public comment segment, resident Mike Bertolis took issue with Rauzi’s proposal, claiming the program would negate citizens’ freedom to choose their own trash hauler. Rauzi told Bertolis she was the one who raised the issue and pointed out it was only a suggestion for further discussion. “Nothing is set in stone,” she said.
Bertolis said persons on fixed incomes would find it difficult to pay a trash hauling surcharge on their monthly water bill.
Based on Benld’s program to provide citywide trash services, the city would contract with the lowest bidder to provide trash hauling services to all Gillespie households. A monthly surcharge would be added to water bills to pay for the service. Because the trash hauler would collect its fee from the city in a lump sum, the bulk contract generally is lower per household than residents could negotiate on their own.
City Attorney Verticchio, who also serves as Benld’s city attorney, agreed there was some resistance when Benld first introduced to the program, but most residents have since come to embrace the concept. He told Bertolis residents could still contract with a separate trash hauler but they would still be responsible for the monthly water bill surcharge—essentially paying double for trash hauling services.
In related matter, the council referred to committee an exploration on how the city could recoup the cost of damages to alleyway culverts caused primarily by trash hauling trucks cutting corners to short when entering and exiting alleys. Ald. Fritz said trash trucks have collapsed a number of culverts by cutting corners too close.
He suggested imposing a fee on trash haulers to operate in the city to offset the cost of damages. Other options would be imposing a wheel tax citywide or citing trash haulers for damages when they are observed causing damage to culverts. Rauzi’s proposal to adopt a citywide trash hauling service would have the added advantage of reducing the number of trashing hauling trucks using city alleyways to pick up trash.
“Keep in mind that a wheel tax would also affect people who are truck drivers,” Pettit advised the committee.
MUNICIPAL BUILDING CHANGE ORDER
The council voted 4-2 to approve a $15,364 change order for an improvement project at the city’s Municipal Building contingent upon the availability of funds. Ald. Fritz, who is overseeing the project, said the change order includes cabinet replacement, taking part of the existing Mayor’s Office to create a larger room to house the building’s mechanical systems including a furnace and electric water heater, and replacing hallway doors in City Hall. The furnace, currently located on a second floor, will be brought down to the first floor. With the addition of an electric water heater, there will be no gas-fired mechanical systems in the building.
Treasurer Dan Fisher voiced concerns about where the money would come from to pay for the change order. The council originally committed Tax Increment Financing funds and American Recovery Plan Act funds to pay for the Civic Center project.
“We allocated every penny of those funds,” Fisher said. The council was required to commit federal ARPA funds before the end of the 2024 calendar year or risk losing the money. In addition to the Civic Center project, the council committed funds for park improvements and remodeling an existing building for use as a Police Station. “You can approve this, but the money may have to come from another fund.”
Fisher pointed out the council already had approved several change orders involving thousands of dollars for completing the police station project.
Mayor Pettit commented that the parks improvement projects, though not yet completed, was under budget. Fisher, however, said the savings on the parks projects were not enough to cover the $15,364 change order.
Brought to a vote on a motion by Ald. Fritz, the council voted 4-2 to approve the change order contingent upon the availability of funds. Ald. Rauzi and Ald. Odell-Mueller both voted “no.” Ald. Barrett, Ald. Hayes, Ald. Fritz and Ald. Halteman voted “yes.”
MOTOR FUEL TAX REVISION
On a motion by Ald. Fritz, the council voted unanimously to approve a revised estimate for the city’s 2025 Motor Fuel Tax Street Maintenance Program in the amount of $665,000—up $56,300 from the $608,700 estimate approved by the council last month. The new proposal includes the 30 streets originally scheduled for oiling and chipping, plus eight streets the city anticipates grinding and resurfacing. In addition, the new proposal includes $21,200 to replace culverts Francis and Western Streets.
Mayor Pettit said the culvert replacement “is not a want, it’s a need.”
The new estimate also includes money to rent a combination street sweeper/vacuum unit for street sweeping and vacuuming out inlets. Mayor Pettit said renting the equipment in lieu of leasing would allow the city to reimburse itself from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund. Monday night’s approval of the MFT Estimate is contingent upon verifying the cost of renting the sweeper/vacuum unit.
Fritz said one reason the city needs to rent a street sweeper because a number of residents throw grass clippings toward the street when they mow. He urged the city to enforce a state law against throwing grass clippings onto the street to reduce the amount of debris that washes into ditches and eventually block storm sewer drains.
As part of the discussion, council members also focused on repairs and improvements to Plum Street between Kelly and Francis streets, which has seen significant damage due to school bus traffic this year. Community Unit School District 7 officials decided this year to use Plum Street to route buses for student pick-up and discharge to facilitate synchronizing starting and ending times for all three attendance centers. As a result, Plum Street has deteriorated at the intersections with Kelly and Francis where buses make turns onto and off the street.
“I’d have no problem with sending buses down that road if it was built up enough to withstand the traffic,” Pettit said. He said the city needs to have engineers from Henneghan and Associates to look at the project and draw up plans and cost estimates for repairing the damage. “We’re not going to do anything until after school’s out. I think we may have to do it as a MFT project.”
Pettit said he wants Henneghan engineers to compare the costs of stabilizing the intersections with concrete versus asphalt. “It might actually be cheaper to go with concrete,” he said.
Newly appointed Ald. Halteman suggested looking into the cost of milling down the intersections and repaving with a three-inch thickness of asphalt. “Three inches of asphalt will hold anything,” he said.
The council conducted a lengthy discussion about the Plum Street issue last month during which CUSD 7 Transportation Director said the school would be forced to return to staggered start times and dismissals if bus traffic is banned from Plum Street. At that time, City Treasurer Fisher estimated excavating the intersections and replacing soil with compacted dirt or concrete, plus resurfacing, could cost upward of $350,000. He said the city does not have funds to undertake such a project and could only consider it if the school district was willing to enter into a cost-sharing agreement.
NUISANCE PROPERTIES
The council voted unanimously to approve resolutions declaring a burned out property at 414 West Walnut Street and a property at 308 West Walnut Street when abandoned vehicles and trash have allegedly been allowed to accumulate as public nuisances. The action authorizes Verticchio to send letters to the owners of the properties citing their properties as public nuisances with a demand to abate the nuisance within 30 days.
Additionally, the council declared as a nuisance a property in the 500 block of Park Avenue where the roof has failed and exposed soffits are rotting away. “The attic is exposed and the front porch fell off a couple of years ago,” Ald. Rauzi said.
A fourth property on Elm Street also was declared a nuisance with the same vote.
Verticchio acknowledged that actually getting the nuisances abated can be a long process but noted the nuisance declaration is a necessary first step.
“It doesn’t cost much of anything to send them a letter,” he said. “You never have to proceed to court” if the property owner voluntarily abates the nuisance. If the property owner fails to comply, however, it can take months for the issue to work its way through the court.
BURNING ORDINANCE
Pettit provided council members with copies of a proposed ordinance to govern burning yard waste within the city limits. The new ordinance will establish specific times during which burning is permitted and defines what constitutes a “recreational fire,” such as patio fire pits.
Pettit asked the aldermen to review the ordinance, make notes and discuss the ordinance provisions in committee with an expectation of taking action on adopting the ordinance next month.
He said the new ordinance incorporates provisions from several burning ordinances currently on the books and standardizes the rules on burning in one ordinance. The current ordinances, he said, “are all over the place and they overlap” with one another.
POLICE COMPUTERS
The council approved Police Chief DePoppe’s request to purchase two new laptop computers for police officers to use at a total cost of $1,098 from Carpani Computers.
“Would one of the old ones you’re replacing be good enough for the Street Department to use for files and so forth?” Pettit asked.
As part of the council’s action, DePoppe was directed to “pick out the best one” for transfer to the Street Department.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
• Adopted a new ordinance governing dumpsters at residences in the city. Under provisions of the ordinance, no dumpsters can be placed on city property. Dumpsters of three-yards or smaller can be maintained indefinitely. Dumpsters larger than three yards can remain in place for a maximum of 30 days without permission of the council.
• Adopted an ordinance to place stop signs at the intersection of Oak and Fulton streets.
• Approved expenditure of $36,755.50 in Tax Increment Financing funds for the first installment of work completed by Watson Contracting at the Civic Center.
• Approved expenditure of $22,500 in Tax Increment Financing funds for work completed by the Glass Cutters, Carlinville, for work completed at the Civic Center.
• Approved the expenditure of $3,000 in Tax Increment Financing funds for work completed by Bauer Electric.
• Approved expenditure of $2,658 in Tax Increment Financing funds for work completed by Watson Contracting at the new Police Station.
• Approved a change order of $172 submitted by Watson Contracting for additional epoxy needed to seal a crack in the basement of the new Police Station.
• Approved expenditure of $2,520 for two performances by the Municipal Band scheduled for Memorial Day, May 26, and an ice cream social at the United Methodist Church on July 20.
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Community News
Gillespie Council approves $15.7 million appropriation ordinance for current fiscal year
Members of the Gillespie City Council on Monday night voted unanimously to approve an appropriation of $15,758,490 for the fiscal year that began May 1. State law mandates an annual appropriation to set spending ceilings for specific municipal funds. The ordinance sets spending limits only and does not serve as a budget, according to outgoing City Treasurer Dan Fisher, who conducted a 15-minute public hearing prior to the council meeting.
Actual city expenditures are likely to be no more than a third of the appropriation total, Mayor Landon Pettit said. The city’s actual annual expenditures average around $3 million to $4 million.
The newly approved appropriation is about $1.4 million less than last year’s appropriation of $17,130,799, which was inflated by anticipated grant funds for the city’s ambitious streetscape project and Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) funds. The new appropriation also inflated somewhat by $4.5 million, representing grant and local funds, for the streetscape project, and $1.3 million in anticipated CEJA grant funds. Removing those two items would take the appropriation of primarily local funds down to about $10 million, which is significantly less than pre-COVID appropriations.
The new ordinances authorizes expenditures of up to $2,400,600 for the Water Department, compared with $2,845,700 last year. The Water Department appropriation includes up to $200,000 for water line system improvements and $100,000 for a water tower improvement project.
Up to $1,855.000 in expenditures is authorized for the Police Department, compared with $2,316,000 last year. The appropriation of General Administrative Expenses comes in at $1,364,500, compared with $1,356,500 a year ago. A spending ceiling of $929,000 is set for the Street Department, compared with $1,281,500 last year. The appropriation for Parks and Recreation is $697,800, compared with $846,000 a year ago. A total of $200,000 is appropriated for Parks and Recreational Areas, which is the same as last year’s appropriation. The ordinance appropriates $665,000 for Motor Fuel Tax expenditures, compare with $600,000 last year. Expenditures of up to $200,000 are appropriated from the Tax Increment Financing Fund, compared with $280,000 last year.
The new ordinance sets spending limits for the Emergency Services and Disaster Administration (ESDA) at $58,900, which compares with $33,900 last year and includes money to replacement storm/emergency sirens.
The ordinance appropriates $170,500 for Administrative Building costs, down from $220,000 last year. The ordinance sets a spending limit of $165,000 for FICA, compared with $160,000 last year; $65,000 for Liability Insurance, which is the same as the previous year.
The ordinance appropriates $42,020 for Salaries of General Elective and Appointed City Officials, which is unchanged from last year.
A total of $40,670 is appropriated for the Public Library, and $5,000 for the Municipal Band, both of which are the same as last year.
Presenting the Public Hearing was the last official act for Fisher. Soon after convening the council’s regular monthly meeting, Rusty Fredericks was sworn in to serve a two-year appointive term as City Treasurer. Fredericks will have the option to run for election to the office in April 2027.
STREETSCAPE UPDATE
Mayor Pettit told the council the long-awaited streetscape project to enhance the downtown shopping district is set to begin soon. In the meantime, he said the city will schedule public meetings with downtown business owners to advise them about when and how construction might affect their businesses.
The streetscape project has been in discussion for about six years. Aimed at improving aesthetics and the business climate downtown, the plan calls for establishing downtown as a cultural center for small festivals, farmers markets, concerts and other activities. The plan includes converting parking from perpendicular spaces to diagonal spaces. The parking arrangement will marginally reduce the number of spaces. Triangular “dead spaces” at intersections will be converted into “green spaces” with small trees and other plantings, along with green spaces interspersed along each block. Sidewalks will be replaced, drainage will be improved with grates leading to the city’s storm sewer system, and new, more attractive light poles will be installed. With the creation of green spaces at intersections, the distance for pedestrian crossing will be reduced from 76 feet to 46 feet, not only improving aesthetics but also improving safety for pedestrians.
The city received a $4 million grant from Rural Development, a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and awarded a construction contract in March to Stutz Excavating, Inc., Alton, contingent upon the federal funds being released to the city. Pettit said the first installment of the grant money has been received, enabling the city to start construction.
In a related matter, the council voted unanimously to employ Lake Manager Ethan Martin to the city’s on-site manager for the project. Martin basically will monitor construction to ensure the work is congruent with contract provisions. Martin will be paid a supplemental salary in addition to his earnings as Lake Manager for the duration of the project, after which his wages will return to their original level.
WELFARE PARK IMPROVEMENTS
On the Mayor’s recommendation, the council voted unanimously to spend up to $50,000 for new bleachers and playground equipment for Welfare Park. Pettit said the existing wooden bleachers at the park are deteriorating and dangerous to spectators. He recommended replacing them with six four-row aluminum bleachers—two for each athletic field—which require less maintenance than the existing bleachers. The aluminum bleachers are low enough to not require handrails and will cost a total of $15,480, plus about $380 for hardware. Pettit said he also located playground equipment with plastic covered metal for about $3,000 from Uline, Inc., not including shipping and engineered mulch.
Improvements are nearing completion at Big Brick Park, which includes new playground equipment, picnic tables and other improvements.
“I’d like to see a little more focus on our parks,” Pettit said. “They’ve been let go for too long.”
“That’s why it’s so expensive when we do improvements,” said Ald. Wendy Rolando, who moved to authorize the expenditure.
Pettit said the city is due to received $70,000 in CEJA funding as part of the current grant cycle. That money should arrive in two to three months.
In the meantime, he said the city can pay for the improvements with existing funds and reimburse itself when the grant funds are available.
In a related matter, the council authorized the mayor to apply for a new round of CEJA grant funding for the current fiscal year.
BENLD POLICE CONTRACT
The council approved Ald. Dona Rauzi’s proposal to cease police protection services to the City of Benld if Gillespie and Benld can not reach an agreement for a new contract within 30 days. The current contract expired April 30, and Gillespie has continued to provide police protection to Benld for $20,000 per month under terms of the current contract. In April, both parties agreed to a 90-day extension to continue negotiations.
The 90-day extension will end next month, after which the City of Gillespie will terminate services.
Gillespie has provided police protection services to Benld for five years after the Benld Police Department was disbanded.
NUISANCE PROPERTIES
The council added 416 East Elm to a previously prepared resolution to declare 307 E. Elm as nuisance properties, after neighbor Geri Meyer voiced concerns to the council about the condition of the house.
“It’s a dilapidated house,” Meyer said, citing loose siding and a large whole that allows raccoons and other wildlife to enter the home. “It’s right there on what I call the main drag, and I was just wondering when someone was going to do something about it.”
Ald. Dona Rauzi said she spoke to the property owner, who assured her he was working with a contractor to start work on the house within the next two weeks.
“That’s exactly what he told me when I moved in two years ago,” Meyer commented.
“Other than that, I don’t know what I can do,” Rauzi explained. “I can’t force him to remodel his house.”
City Attorney Rick Verticchio agreed. “While you can’t force him to do it, this council can declare it a public nuisance,” Verticchio said, which would give the property own 30 days to at least start the work or face further legal action. “If you need to give him more time, you can do that but the first step is to declare it a nuisance.”
FOOD TRUCK ORDINANCE
On a motion by Ald. Rauzi, the council voted unanimously to amend an existing food truck ordinance to offer an annual permit at a cost of $300. The current ordinance required a daily permit fee of $25. Rauzi’s motion included a provision to waive fees for food truck operators who have already spent $300 or more for permits this calendar year.
Rauzi said the amendment will benefit food truck operators, and simplify record keeping for the Deputy City Clerk.
LJ AVENUE PARKING
Also on a motion by Rauzi, the council voted 6-1 to rescind a previously approved ordinance banning parking on the west side of LJ Avenue. The school district plans to post no parking signs in front of gates to the football field and along a 50-zone zone to restrict parking near a fire hydrant.
The issue has been somewhat controversial since Community Unit 7 School District rerouted buses at the beginning of the school year to synchronize class starting and ending times for all three attendance centers.
Ald. Janet Odell-Mueller case the sole negative vote. Ald. Rauzi, Ald Rolando, Ald. J.Q. Halteman, Ald. Dave Link, Ald. Frank Barrett and Ald. Bob Fritz all voted in favor of the measure. Ald. Bill Hayes was absent.
In a related matter, the council tabled further discussion of repairs to Plum Street.
Without taking formal action, the council agreed to have Ald. Fritz survey the city for missing street signs. Ald. Rolando said she had several phone calls regarding missing signs on Broadway and Frey. Mayor Pettit said street signs also frequently go missing from several other streets, including Baker and High. He said street signs are relatively inexpensive and the city should have money to pay for them. He recommended finding which signs are missing and placing an order for all of them.
“If there are some that go missing all the time, go ahead and order extras,” he said.
CIVIC CENTER CHANGE ORDER
Council members voted unanimously in support of Ald. Fritz’s motion to approve a $7,272 change order for ongoing remodeling work at City Hall and the Civic Center. Fritz said contractors discovered that the original fiberglass ductwork installed when the building was constructed is deteriorating and releasing fiberglass fibers. Mayor Pettit assured the council the city has available Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds to cover the expense.
The council also voted Monday night to close out the TIF I fund and transfer remaining funds to TIF II.
SIDE-BY-SIDE
The council authorized the expenditure of up to $15,000 for a new Kawasaki 4×4 side-by-side for use at Gillespie Lake. The city previously used a UTV belonging to the former lake manager, who took his personnel equipment with him when he changed jobs.
The new machine will come from Action Powersports, Litchfield.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Tabled action on a policy regarding workers who want to return to work early after a medical leave. Attorney Verticchio is expected to review the proposed policy to resolve possible liability issues.
- Accepted a bid of $925 to be paid from Motor Fuel Tax funds from Emmons Tree Service, Carlinville, to remove three trees from boulevards on Chestnut and Maple streets.
- Referred a proposed ordinance to govern burning back to committee for further work before being presented to the full council.
- Referred to committee the issue of whether or not to hold a city-wide clean-up day. Mayor Pettit said the city’s cost for the event could be up to $18,000 for dumpster rentals. Meanwhile, Ald. Rauzi again pointed out that adopting a single-provider city-wide trash hauling service would include two annual city-wide clean-ups at no cost to the city. Ald. Rolando said a city-wide program would reduce costs for local consumers and limit the number of trash hauling trucks on city alleyways.
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SPRINGFIELD — Lincoln Land Community College has announced its full-time and part-time President’s and Vice President’s lists for the spring 2025 semester. Part-time students are enrolled in six to 11 credit hours while full-time students are enrolled in 12 or more credit hours.
Students who earned a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) are noted with an asterisk and earned President’s list honors. Students who earned between a GPA of 3.5-3.99 earned Vice President’s list honors. The excerpt below features Macoupin County students.
FULL-TIME STUDENTS
Bunker Hill – Logan R. Helling
Carlinville – Reid P. Evans*, Brody M. Reif
Gillespie – Maris E. Brill, Austin L. Grace*
Girard – Max Allen*, Katie Angulo*, Mick B. Downs*, Josh Hagerman, Reed Lewis, Michael S. Prose*
Mount Olive – Jakobb E. Brown*, Georgia G. Kampwerth
Palmyra – Alexis R. Bowman*
Staunton – Paige N. Horstmeyer*, Michael J. Matesa*, Lauren R. Mathis, Brandon Mo
Virden – Zorah E. Austin*, Michaeh N. Barnhouse*, Maddie Carver, Jackson R. Pierce*, Morgan C. Snell*, Grant M. Strickler, Courtney N. Ulinski*
PART-TIME STUDENTS
Benld – Christopher Young*
Carlinville – Alex C. Nance*, Jerry D. Nance Jr.*
Gillespie – Jessica L. Tiek*
Girard – Lindsey J. Ferguson*, Jackson R. Henke*, Natalie Moriconi*
Mount Olive – Kara A. Harmon*, Justin D. O’Neill*, Hayden Wylder*
Virden – Candace L. Carlile*, Lillian M. Carlile*, Natalie M. Little*, Josie P. Patterson, Luciano Pierce*
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The 2:18 Missions Team, a dedicated local outreach group based in Gillespie, is excited to announce its upcoming cookout fundraiser to support its community initiatives. The event will take place on Saturday, June 21st, at Randy’s Market in Benld.
From approximately 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., community members are invited to enjoy delicious homemade food while supporting a worthy cause. The menu will feature pork chops, pork burgers, hot dogs, and refreshing water — perfect for a summer day of good food and fellowship.
“All proceeds from this event will go directly toward our mission efforts to serve and uplift our community,” said a spokesperson for 2:18 Missions Team. “We’re grateful for the support of our neighbors and look forward to seeing everyone there!”
Come out to Randy’s Market in Benld on June 21st to enjoy a tasty meal, support local endeavors, and connect with others in the community.
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Beleagured board chairman responds to critics as County Board prepares to start budgeting process
Benld Italian-American Days to celebrate 71st Anniversary over Memorial Day weekend
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