Community News
Gillespie Council narrowly approves ordinance to govern parking on LJ Avenue
With school resuming this week, the Gillespie City Council on Monday night narrowly approved an ordinance to restrict parking on the west side of LJ Avenue, the city-maintained street that separates the High School/Middle School campus from the football field and sports complex. Council members voted unanimously, however, to purchase a powerful new storm siren and agreed to implement a new computer system to manage inventory and sales at the Gillespie Lake campground store.
A contentious city council voted 5-3 to approve the LJ Avenue parking ordinance, which has been under discussion for several months. The new ordinance designates 200 feet on the west side of the street, essentially stretching from Broadway to Plum street, as a tow-away zone.
The measure is aimed at improving safety, particularly during sports events when parked vehicles on LJ Avenue creates congestion. Ald. Janet Odell-Mueller, however, alleged the new ordinance will not alleviate the issues on the street. In recent years, she said, sports fans have routinely ignored “no parking” signs on LJ Avenue without consequence.
“No one has been writing tickets,” she said. “When there’s a game out there, you can’t drive a car down that street (because of parked cars).”
Ald. Dona Rauzi pointed out the “no parking” signs were not backed up with an actual ordinance in the city code. City Attorney Rick Verticchio said any tickets issued without an ordinance to support them would be dismissed if the defendant challenged the citation in court.
“Are the police going to start writing tickets now?” Odell-Mueller wanted to know.
“We don’t have to mess with tickets,” Mayor Landon Pettit explained. “It’s a tow-away zone. If someone parks there and someone reports it, we can tow them away. End of story.”
Odell-Mueller told the BenGil Post after the meeting that her concerns got beyond the issue of pedestrians darting into the street from between parked cars. The parking congestion, she said, makes it virtually impossible for emergency vehicles such as fire engines or ambulances to traverse LJ Avenue. That situation will be exacerbated, according to Odell-Mueller when the city begins work on a major renovation of Plum Street, essentially leaving LJ Avenue as the only access for emergency vehicles.
Odell-Mueller was joined by Ald. Billy Hayes and Ald. Dave Link in opposing the measure. Alds. Rauzi, Wendy Rolando, J.Q. Halteman, Bob Fritz and Frank Barrett voted “yes.”
CLOVER SYSTEM
Following a presentation by Jenni Alepra, United Community Bank branch manager, and Frank Smith, account representative, the council voted unanimously to adopt the Clover Point of Sale System to accept credit/debit cards, track inventory, monitor sales and other financial operations at the Gillespie Lake campground store.
The city will pay $57.90 per month for the system—$27.95 for the terminal and $29.95 for the software—during the months the store is active. During winter months when the store is not open, the system can be deactivated and the city is not liable for the fees during those months.
For an additional $9.99 per month, the system can be linked to a city website to allow water customers to pay their bills online, according to Alepra. Pettit said the city has about 100 water consumers who are chronically late on paying their bills because the city office is not open on Saturdays. Monday night’s action, however, authorized the system for the lake only, in part because the city does not yet have a website.
City Treasurer Rusty Fredericks said the total cost to implement the system at the lake will amount to $907 per year.
The operations system will automate tasks that are currently done manually.
“If it trims two hours a week, it will be well worth it,” Mayor Pettit said. He also mentioned the city is looking to computerize city operations as much as possible and this purchase is congruent with that initiative.
In a related matter, the Mayor asked Ald. Rolando to look into the cost of having a new website designed for the city, which would further automate city operations.
Later in the meeting, Police Chief Jared DePoppe secured the council’s consent to participate in an electronic ticketing system sponsored by the Macoupin County Circuit Clerk’s office. He said the clerk is pushing all police agencies in the county to adopt the system. The county has agreed to purchase the software for participating police agencies. The only expense to the city, he said, will be the cost of purchasing in-vehicle printers to print paper copies of citations issued by city police.
On a motion by Ald. Rolando, seconded by Ald. Rauzi, the council voted to purchase six printers at a cost of $970 each.
With the new system, officers will use their laptops to issue tickets, which will then be electronically sent to the Circuit Clerk’s office. The officers can then print a paper copy for the defendant and for the police department’s records. The system can be used for all citations, including traffic and ordinance violations.
“The officers like it because they can just use their laptop to issue a ticket,” DePoppe said. “The Circuit Court likes it because they get the ticket immediately and they don’t have to try to decipher someone’s handwriting.”
Mayor Pettit said the new system will be another step toward his goal of computerizing city government functions.
NEW STORM SIREN
Council members voted unanimously to authorize expenditure of up to $40,000 to install a new emergency siren near the city maintenance building. Table Rock Alerting Systems of Kimberling City, Mo., submitted a bid of $34,978 for the equipment.
City ESDA Coordinator Colin Mussatto said the single, multi-directional siren will reach a minimum of a one-mile radius and can be heard by residents inside or outside their homes. The sound will reach all areas of the city, the school campuses, East Gillespie and some rural areas outside the city limits. Mussatto said the Village of East Gillespie was considering a new siren but will now forego that purchase since Gillespie’s new siren will cover the village. East Gillespie plans to contribute $10,000 to help defray the cost when the project is completed.
Ald. Halteman said the new system is compatible with a new siren being installed by the City of Benld. Gillespie Police will be responsible for activating both sirens, which can be activated simultaneously or independently depending upon weather conditions. In the event of a power outage, the siren is backed-up with an lithium-ion battery.
One other bid from GTSI, Jacksonville, came in at more than $58,000.
Mussatto reported that an initial bid received by the city several months ago totalled nearly $90,000.
“This is still expensive but it’s about a third of what was originally presented,” he said.
The new equipment is expected to be installed and operational in two to three months.
ORDINANCE OFFICER
On a motion by Ald. Odell-Mueller, seconded by Ald. Halteman, the council voted unanimously to advertise for applicants for an Ordinance Officer position.
Mayor Pettit advocated for the new position, but Ald. Rolando immediately questioned how the city could afford to pay a new officer.
“If you have a good one, you’ll make up enough in fines to pay their salary,” said City Attorney Verticchio. Moreover, Verticchio said, the ordinance officer would make court appearances when a defendant fights a citation, eliminating the need to pay regular officers overtime to appear in court. The position also should reduce legal fees the city currently pays Verticchio for ordinance enforcement.
“If they’re doing their job, they’ll pay for themselves,” Pettit said.
In addition to enforcing city ordinances, the Ordinance Officer also will be the city’s liaison with Macoupin County Animal Control. The new officer is expected to be on duty 20 hours a week.
STREET VS. ALLEY QUESTION
The council referred to committee the question of whether or not an alley associated with Burton Street should remain an alley or be designated as a city street. Mayor Pettit said residents use a 200-foot section of what appears to be an alley as a city street. At least one home is accessible only via the alley even though it has a Burton Street address.
“We need to decide whether it is a city street or an alley,” Pettit said. Courthouse records indicate the alley was vacated sometime in the past and deeded to private ownership. The City Attorney will consult with the committee in an effort to resolve the question.
In a related matter, the council voted 6-1 to redesignate the address for the Westview Apartments on Broadway. One of the apartment buildings has an address of 614 with apartments A, B, C and D. The second building is designated as 616 with apartments E, F, G and H. The problem is that a single family dwelling to the west of the apartments also has the 616 address number.
Ald. Halteman said the conflict poses a safety issue since emergency services would be dispatched to the apartment complex if the homeowner called 911 for a fire or medical emergency.
With Ald. Link voting “no,” the council approved a measure to predesignate the second apartment building as 614 E, F, G and H.
SEWAGE LAGOON AND STREETSCAPE PROJECT
The council approved a plan to remove sewage lagoon sludge using an enzyme treatment.
Sewer Plant Operator Ethan Martin told the council sludge was last removed from the settling lagoons in 1980 and the Illinois EPA has been pressuring the city to conduct a sludge survey. The survey found that lagoon into which affluent first flows is 35 percent filled with sludge, two consecutive lagoons are 20 and 25 percent filled, respectively.
Removing and disposing of the sludge using heavy equipment, Martin said, would cost an estimated $1.73 million. As an alternative, he recommended using an enzyme treatment for all three lagoons. The initial cost of treatment would be $6,400, plus $3,200 monthly for months when the temperature is above 60 degrees. The enzymes convert the sludge from a solid to harmless gasses that will dissipate from the lagoons.
“We’re extremely lucky that we don’t have any more sludge than what we do,” Martin noted, adding that many other municipalities use the treatment and that city engineers Curry and Associates recommended the enzyme protocol.
Martin, who also serves as the onsite inspector for the city’s Streetscape program, reported that the program has run into a number of problems as construction gets underway.
“I think today was the first day we didn’t have any major issues,” he said.
Workers are finding that in many places on Macoupin Street, the storm sewer system is tied into the sanitary sewer, requiring additional work to segregate the two systems. “When you’re downtown and smell a sewer smell coming from the storm drains, this is why,” Martin explained.
He asked downtown businesses to be patient as work on the project continues.
POLICE STATION PAYMENTS
Council members voted unanimously to release Tax Increment Financing funds in the amounts of $29,404 and $13,051 to pay Watson Contracting, Gillespie, for work completed on the new Police Department Building across the the street from City Hall.
In a related matter, the council voted to seek bids for a project to regrade pavement on the east and north sides of the new Police Station to divert water away from the foundation. Mayor Pettit said correcting the slope is necessary to divert water away from the building. Sidewalks around the building are included in the Streetscape project and will not be part of the regrading project.
SCHOOL/CITY COOPERATIVE PROJECTS
City aldermen approved a resolution acknowledging the receipt of about $89,000 in Climate and Equity Jobs Act (CEJA) funds from Community Unit School District 7 to help defray the cost of a major project to improve Plum Street. After the school rerouted bus traffic onto Plum Street last year to synchronize school starting and dismissal times, the street has been subject to deterioration due to the increase in heavy traffic. While engineering work has not yet been done, the project is expected to involve removal of the existing paved surface, re-establishing a more substantial base and repaving. With an anticipated price tag in the range of $250,000, the city has said it is unable to finance the project on its own. The school board voted in June to divert CEJA grant funds originally earmarked for solar panels to the street improvement project.
In other action, the city also committed to collaborating with the school district to apply for a Safe Routes to School grant to help subsidize sidewalk and street improvements designed to improve safety for students who walk or bike to school. Safe Routes to School grant. A total of $12 million has been appropriated for the grant program to fund up to $250,000 for infrastructure projects or $100,000 for non-infrastructure projects. The grant program is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation. The application period closes Oct. 2.
SURPLUS PROPERTY
Council members declared several pieces of property as surplus property and agreed to advertise the items for seal via sealed bid. The surplus property includes an F-350 truck, a Ford Taurus squad car, and used playground equipment removed from Big Brick Park to make way for new equipment.
The council also agreed to declare the former Police Station as surplus property and list it for sale as soon as the Police Department has completely vacated the facility.
CEJA GRANT INFORMATION
Former City Treasurer Dan Fisher recommended adding a monthly agenda item to process claims from sub-grantees for CEJA grant funds. The City of Gillespie was the lead agency applying for the grant and is responsible for distributing shares to 16 participating sub-grantees.
Gillespie reportedly received about $1 million, of which the city retained about $70,000. Sub-grantees include the Village of East Gillespie, City of Benld, Village of Eagarville, City of Staunton, Gillespie Public Library, Benld Public Library, Gillespie Township, Cahokia Township, Community Unit School District 7, North Mac CUSD 34, Gillespie-Benld Area Ambulance Service, Village of Royal Lakes, City of Bunker Hill, Village of Mount Clare and Brushy Mound Township.
The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act is a federal program to mitigate against economic conditions that result as the nation moves away from fossil fuels to embrace renewable, “green” energy sources. The local grant award is related to job losses resulting from the idling of Shay Mine No. 1, formerly Monterey Mine No., 1. Each entity was awarded $50,000 plus additional funds based on “job loss” and “revenue loss” factors. Gillespie was the lead agency among 16 area units of government that collectively applied for the award.
Each recipient is required to submit grant expenditures to the City of Gillespie for approval before those claims are forwarded to the state. Fisher said the grant program is expected to continue for another two years. To prevent claims from “falling through the cracks” he recommended adding CEJA expenditure approval as a regular item on the council’s monthly agenda.
OTHER ACTION:
In other action, the council:
• Approved a “return to work” policy that will allow workers subject to Workers Compensation claims to return to work for “light duty.” The action followed a brief executive session.
• Ratified the Mayor’s re-appointment of Lydia Reid and Deb Seekamp, and the appointment of Erik Jenkins to three-year terms on the Public Library Board.
• Approved a routine resolution committing the city to hiring contractors who pay their employees the prevailing wage as determined by the Department of Labor.
Comments
FELONIES
Christopher L. Black, 43 of Virden, is charged with home invasion/causing injury and two counts of aggravated battery of a peace officer in connection with a January 4 incident.
Casey W. Sobberi, 40 of Wilsonville, is charged with burglary in connection with a January 3 incident.
Eugene Arnold, 62 of Royal Lakes, is charged with aggravated battery/great bodily harm, aggravated battery/use of a deadly weapon, and domestic battery/bodily harm in connection with a January 6 incident.
Michael A. Upton, 34 of Palmyra, is charged with twelve counts of child pornography and possession of methamphetamine (5 grams) in connection with multiple dates in 2025.
Bryer D. Greff, 31 of Virden, is charged with aggravated battery/public place, resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee, and two counts of disorderly conduct in connection with a January 7 incident.
Shayne W. Dugger, 26 of Palmyra, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams) in connection with a September 28 incident.
Sarah L. Winston, 36 of Carlinville, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams) in connection with a November 4 incident.
TRAFFIC
Austin D. Courier, 30 of Vriden, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a December 30 incident.
Courtney N. Lomelino, 23 of Virden, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a December 25 incident.
William R. Dyer, 55 of Carlinville, is charged with leaving the scene, driver failing to give notice of a crash, transporting/carrying alcohol/driver, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, improper traffic lane usage, seat belt required/driver, and failure to reduce speed in connection with a January 4 incident.
Billy R. Austin, 44 of Modesto, is charged with expired registration, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and being unlicensed in connection with a January 4 incident.
Richard W. Wallis, 63 of Nilwood, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a January 5 incident.
Stephanie E. Jennings, 34 of Girard, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a January 6 incident.
Bruce A. Day, 60 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a revoked license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a January 5 incident.
Clayton R. Sampson, 19 of Palmyra, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a January 6 incident.
Dakota R. Lavely, 20 of Troy, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a January 5 incident.
Wayne E. Mitchell, 46 of Brighton, is charged with driving on a revoked license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and expired registration in connection with a December 30 incident.
Monty M. Gardner, 55 of Brighton, is charged with driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a January 2 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Catherine Harrison versus David Breen
- Margaret Putman versus Justin S. Putman
- Taunia R. Moore versus Blake A. Moore
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- Wade Logan Yates of Brighton and Anna Catherine Marcy of Riverton.
- Douglas Guennewig and Buffy Riddens, both of Staunton.
Comments
SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South 4th Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Charles Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to South Hard Road in Benld in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was spoke with a male at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to harassment.
MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2026
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to neighbor trouble.
Jiles R. Lyons, 36 of Benld, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for possession of another’s credit/debit card.
An officer spoke with a male at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to an animal complaint in the 600 block of North 7th Street in Benld.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of East Burton Street in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to Osie Street and Handy Street in reference to a security check.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South Hard Road in Benld in reference to juvenile issues.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Burton Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer spoke with a male at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to harassment.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Walnut Street in reference to a neighborhood dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of North Francis Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Elm Street in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to Macoupin Street and Walnut Street in reference to suspicious activity.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of South 5th Street in Benld in reference to a burglary.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Virginia Street in East Gillespie. Debra A. Brooks, 65 of Carlinville, was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Adams Street in reference to ordinance issues.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of South Illinois Street in Benld in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Osie Street. Kylee P. Cothern, 18 of Benld, was issued a citation for expired registration and operating uninsured vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to a hit and run traffic crash.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Virginia Street in East Gillespie. Tiana F. McFarland, 28 of Staunton, was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Virginia Street in East Gillespie. Debra A. Brooks, 65 of Carlinville, was issued a citation for speeding.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2026
The School Resource Officer was dispatched to the High School office in reference to a fight.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Illinois Street in East Gillespie. Darlene Karns, 70 of Gillespie, was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at 7th Street and Pine Street in Benld. Dylan S. Richards, 32 of Staunton, was issued a citation for suspended registration.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of South Illinois Street in Benld in reference to a security check.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Park Avenue in reference to criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Spruce Street in reference to criminal damage.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Montgomery Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to a theft in the 500 block of South Jersey Street.
An officer spoke with a male at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to an animal complaint in the 200 block of West Maple Street.
The School Resource Officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Oak Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of Frey Street in reference to criminal damage.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Pine Street. Racheal A. Aleshire, 47 of Gillespie, was issued a citation for driving while her license was revoked.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Hard Road and Central Avenue in Benld. Amber R. Brackett, 31 of Gillespie, was issued citations for suspended registration and for no insurance.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Elm Street in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to an intoxicated pedestrian.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of West Virginia Street in East Gillespie in reference to stalking.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Comments
FELONIES
Micah J. Ramsey, 39 of Carlinville, is charged with aiding/abetting/selling a stolen vehicle and driving on a revoked license in connection with a December 27 incident.
Shawn M. McBride, 38 of Staunton, is charged with obstructing justice/destroying evidence in connection with a December 18 incident.
Riley G. Rhodes, 18 of Carlinville, is charged with possession/displaying an altered ID card in connection with a December 18 incident.
Shane S. Bell, 35 of Girard, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams) in connection with a November 6 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Ted. E. Hanner, 50 of Bunker Hill, is charged with obstructing identification in connection with a December 3 incident.
Brittany M. Lyons, 35 of Benld, is charged with criminal trespass to a building in connection with a December 19 incident.
Betty J. Jamieson, 75 of Carlinville, is charged with violating the animal control act in connection with a December 29 incident.
James J. Denby, 27 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with a December 8 incident.
Tricia J. Pfeiler, 37 of Carlinville, is charged with battery/cause bodily harm and cruelty to animals in connection with a January 1 incident.
Rodney J. Rosentreter, 60 of Gillespie, is charged with criminal damage to property (<$500) and resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee in connection with a January 1 incident.
TRAFFIC
Rustin L. Reed, 19 of Springfield, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a December 27 incident.
Passion M. Kinzey, 33 of Chicago, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a December 27 incident.
Ella R. Robinson, 20 of Bonne Terre, MO, is charged with speeding 35 mph over the limit in connection with a December 30 incident.
Julie B. Kruse, 55 of Staunton, is charged with driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a December 18 incident.
Gregory A. Knezic, 60 of Staunton, is charged with driving on a suspended license and improper use of registration/title in connection with a December 23 incident.
Dixie L. Moffitt, 73 of Worden, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a December 22 incident.
Dakota L. Schoondyke, 28 of Virden, is charged with driving on a suspended license and operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration in connection with a December 26 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Debra E. Seago versus Carl L. Seago Jr.
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- David L. Ehlers and Shirley Marie Lee Haines, both of Bunker Hill.
- Steven D. Clattenburg and Billie Jo Croll, both of Virden.
- Robert J. Halpin and Chelsea L. Kirkover, both of Gillespie.
