Community News
Gillespie Council authorizes payment for police department renovation, gives mayor power to act on hiring full-time lake employee
The Gillespie City Council on Monday night pre-approved payment of $59,200 to Watson Contracting for work being done on remodeling 124 N. Macoupin St. to serve as Gillespie Police Department headquarters. Ald. Dona Rauzi reported that the contractor is about to start on drywalling work and expects to finish the project before the next council meeting in March. The action Monday night will allow the city to pay the invoice upon completion of the work, rather than waiting for the next meeting for approval.
The payment represents the second half of the total contract awarded to Watson. The council approved payment of the first half during its January meeting.
The city purchased the building in August for $69,000. There has been no announcement regarding when the Police Department will move into the new facility.
LAKE POSITION
The council voted unanimously to give Mayor John Hicks power to act on hiring a full-time lake employee. The new employee ostensibly will replace Lake Supervisor Gary Thornhill but may not have that title.
“You don’t have to call him a supervisor,” City Attorney Rick Verticchio said. “You can, but you don’t have to.”
Lake Chair Frank Barrett initially recommended Austin Loftis, a part-time lake employee who has been taking care of Thornhill’s duties since Thornhill’s resignation. City Treasurer Dan Fisher, however, pointed out the city had received five applications for Thornhill’s vacated position.
Ald. Landon Pettit asserted that hiring someone other than Loftus could put the city in a “really bad spot” if it considers layoffs in the near future. The lake has two permanent employees, one full-time and one part-time, plus occasional seasonal employees. Hiring another employee for the full-time spot, while leaving Loftis in his part-time job, could force the city to layoff the more senior employee in the event of layoffs.
“He’s already doing the job,” Pettit said, recommending the mayor hire Loftis at least on a trial basis.
“We have talked about downsizing,” Ald. Rauzi said. “To me the most reasonable thing would be” to promote Loftis to full-time.
Barrett acknowledged the five applications the city received for the job but suggested they be considered a pool from which to hire a replacement for Loftis, adding he would like to have someone hired son.
Fisher suggested referring the issue back to committee to make a recommendation to Hicks with power to act. “You could have it done in seven days,” he said.
PAY INCREASES
By unanimous vote, the council approved a resolution increasing wages for non-union city employees.
Under terms of the resolution, wages are increased to $16 per hour for part-time and seasonal workers for the street, sewer and water departments workers, as well as part-time and seasonal workers at Gillespie Lake. Within the City Clerk’s Office, the deputy city clerk will be paid $24.69 per hour, and the deputy collector will be paid $19.35 per hour, while an extra clerk and janitorial workers will earn $16 per hour. Wages for the building inspector increases to $49.69 per hour when conducting occupancy inspections, and $18.47 when administering building permit inspections. The resolution sets the Chief of Police’s annual salary at $73,040.
STREETSCAPE PROJECT
Treasurer Dan Fisher reported the council should be able to take action on accepting a contract next month for the long-awaited downtown Streetscape Project introduced in 2019. He said he and other city officials have met with engineers from Curry and Associates to finalize plans for the project, and the project is now out for bids. A pre-bid conference is expected in about two weeks, and bids will be due before the council’s next meeting in March.
Jointly initiated by Grow Gillespie, a civic improvement group, and the City of Gillespie, the $4.5 million streetscape project includes lighting, landscaping and parking improvements in the downtown commercial area with an eye toward stimulating economic growth.
Ald. Bob Fritz briefly questioned whether electrical outlets on new light poles will be capable of being locked.
“You know how kids are,” Fritz said. “I don’t want to be responsible for some kid getting electrocuted.”
Fisher said the outlets are GFI outlets with covers, though the covers are not lockable. He said the outlets comply with current safety standards and can be turned on or off by the city.
DERELICT PROPERTY
Upon the City Attorney’s advice, the council voted to sell a nuisance property at 301 E. Maple St. to Kevin and Kayla Thornhill with the provision the couple will abate the nuisance. Verticchio said the city discovered it could acquire the property for resale for less than what it would cost to pursue the nuisance in court. Because the property is involved in litigation, Verticchio said the city was free to sell the house without seeking bids.
UNITY BAPTIST CHURCH
Pastors Jared DePoppe and Dane Solari, of Trinity Baptist Church and First Baptist Church, respectively, appeared before the council to announce the two churches have merged to form Unity Baptist Church. Solari said the move mends a split between two local Baptist congregations dating back 55 years. Since the change represents a reunification, he said the new congregation chose the new name, Unity.
Going forward, worship services will be held at the former Trinity Baptist Church, 502 S. Macoupin St. The First Baptist Church, 820 Broadway, will be used for other ministries sponsored by the church.
PARK UPDATE
Ald. Pettit informed the council that city crews have removed old playground equipment from Big Brick Park and prepared the site to install new playground equipment. The new equipment should be installed by the end of March. The older equipment removed from Big Brick, he said, will probably be installed at Welfare Park.
Electrical work, park benches and other work at Big Brick should be completed by May, Pettit reported.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Authorized the Police Department to spend $1,200 from its DUI fund to acquire two new handheld radar units. Police Chief Jared DePoppe said the city’s radar units are certified every six months, The last certification cycle revealed that three existing units are no longer effective and had to be removed from service.
- Voted to spend $1,509 for a computer, software and printer to be used at the Lake Store.
- Voted to donate $200 to the Partnership for Educational Excellence.
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2:18 Missions, a nonprofit focused on home repair projects in the Gillespie area and humanitarian efforts at Henderson Settlement in Frakes, Kentucky, has launched a spring food drive to support families served by the Henderson Settlement Food Pantry. The pantry assists low-income families across five counties in the Appalachian region, where a steady supply of nourishing food is essential.
The organization emphasizes that no donation is too small or too large. Right now, all contributions received from now through the first week of April will directly fund food for families in need. It costs roughly $35 to provide food for a family of four for an entire month, a goal that this drive aims to meet for as many families as possible.
Donations can be made in several convenient ways. Checks or cash may be given to any 2:18 Missions team member. For those who prefer digital options, donations are accepted via Venmo or PayPal at 2:18 Missions Nfp. Community members are also encouraged to follow and engage with updates on the 2:18 Missions Facebook page.
2:18 Missions stresses that every contribution, regardless of size, makes a tangible difference in the lives of families working to make ends meet in the mountains of Kentucky and the residents of Gillespie who support their neighbors in need. The organization invites the public to join in this effort and to help spread the word through social media and word of mouth.
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The Gillespie Public Library invites the community to its 13th annual Night of Trivia and Games, a popular evening of competition, camaraderie, and cash prizes. The event is set for Saturday, March 28, 2025, with doors opening at 6:15 p.m. and play beginning at 7 p.m. at the Gillespie Civic Center.
Attendees can expect a safe, social night out as organizers have arranged tables to accommodate social distancing, ensuring guests can enjoy the fun in a comfortable setting. The evening features prizes for first, second, and third place, along with a 50-50 drawing and other assorted cash games and prizes.
In keeping with the event’s lighthearted spirit, there will be no silent auction. Organizers emphasize that the goal is “Only laughs and fun,” with a chance to win money while enjoying a friendly competition format.
Entry is a $100 team fee, with a maximum of 10 players per team. Participants are encouraged to pre-register by March 25 to guarantee a table. Registration options include mailing a form to Gillespie Public Library, 201 W Chestnut, Gillespie, IL 62033; calling the library at 217-839-3614; or contacting Steve Joyce at 217-839-2839.
For those interested in joining or learning more, team captains should designate a contact person and provide a reachable phone number during registration.
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The estate of the late Lindell and Jean Loveless, longtime Macoupin County pork producers, has made generous equal gifts to The Partnership for Educational Excellence in Gillespie CUSD #7 and to the Carlinville CUSD #1 Education Foundation. The gifts come from the remainder of a family trust established to ensure high-quality end-of-life care and were divided upon Jean Loveless’s passing, with equal shares allocated to the education foundations in each district.
Tim Loveless, local businessman and son of Lindell and Jean, emphasized the family’s enduring commitment to education and practical life skills. “It was my parents’ desire to use these remaining funds to support and enhance career and technical education programs in our schools,” Loveless said. He recalled his family’s deep roots in hard work and the value of life skills, noting that “the spirit of this gift is to prepare students for life in general, and to prepare them to earn a living by learning a trade.”
“The bottom half of the class,” Tim continued, “needs financial education and practical skills. A person can learn and earn their way to success.” He described his parents’, grandparents’, and great-grandparents’ diverse ventures—from farming and cattle to turkey production, nursing homes, meat processing, swine production, and subdivisions—and underscored that high formal education is not the sole path to success, but motivation and skill are crucial. He expressed hope that the gift will help school districts boost opportunities for students who may doubt their ability to succeed.
John Fassero, Jr., president of The Partnership for Educational Excellence in CUSD7, welcomed the gift as a strong alignment with the Partnership’s mission. “This Loveless family gift is a perfect fit for the established goals and policies of The Partnership,” Fassero said.
Since its founding in 1992, The Partnership has awarded nearly 600 scholarships based on goals and hard work rather than GPA or class rank. Fassero noted that the organization has several scholarships targeted to the trades, and that nearly 20 scholars have pursued trade school education in the past four years alone. “In addition, two-thirds of The Partnership’s giving is directed to curriculum enhancement across all three schools and in all specialties, including shop and FFA,” Fassero added.
