Community News
Gillespie Council votes to implement one percent sales tax
Members of the Gillespie City Council on Monday night voted unanimously to implement a one percent Public Safety sales tax on retail goods sold in Gillespie. Council members also voted to declare approximately 56 acres of wooded land at Gillespie Lake as surplus property and offer it for sale.
A motion to implement the Public Safety tax by Ald. Frank Barrett, seconded by Ald. Wendy Rolando, was unanimously approved. Under legislation approved by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor, the city is authorized to impose the tax without the formality of a referendum. The state law essentially allows the city to replace a one percent grocery tax formerly collected by the state with a one percent Public Safety sales tax on all retail goods. The legislation requires revenue from the new tax to be earmarked for public safety, meaning the revenue will be deposited to the Police Fund.
A referendum on the tax this spring was soundly defeated by voters by a margin of 2:1.
“When I ran for Mayor, I swore that if this came up, I’d veto it,” said Mayor Landon Pettit. “Now that I’m sitting in this chair, I can see this is something we have to do.”
The new tax will become effective on Jan. 1, 2026, and is expected to generate approximately $230,000.
The sales tax was just one measure proposed by the Finance Committee to generate additional revenue for the city. Based on the committee’s recommendations, Mayor Pettit directed City Attorney Rick Verticchio to draft proposed ordinances to add a $1 surcharge water customers’ sewer bills, and to authorize collecting a three percent processing fee for all credit card/debit card transactions. Both ordinances will be presented in November. If approved, they will become effective Jan. 1.
“We’re probably going to have to look at this every year,” Pettit said, regarding the sewer bill surcharge. “We need to build up our sewer fund because we’re going have to tackle a sewer project in the next couple of years. Our sewer system is in terrible shape.”
Verticchio also will write an ordinance amendment to raise the fees for bulk sewer dumping to $50 for the first 1,000 gallons, plus five cents per gallon for each gallon in excess of 1,000.
“We are the only city around that has a bulk sewer dump,” said Ethan Martin, who manages the city’s sewer system. In addition, he said, the city’s rates for dumping bulk sewage is less than the nearest alternative facilities, meaning sewage haulers drive the additional distance to add bulk system to the city’s treatment system.
Finance Committee Chair Wendy Rolando said the committee also is looking into the potential for raising lake lot leasing fees.
“We have two departments that can be combined,” Pettit said, further discussing the committee’s work. “That will even out things for us.” He said one of the biggest problems the city faces is restrictions on what can be spent from specific line items in the city’s financial structure. Combining departments will combine appropriations, enabling the city to spend from a lump sum rather than a limited specific appropriation.
“These are minimal increases,” Pettit said. “Most people probably won’t notice them.”
“We’re making small increases,” Rolando noted, to avoid having to approve larger increases down the road.
SURPLUS LAKE PROPERTY
Council members voted unanimously to declare as surplus and offer for sale via sealed bids some 57 acres of wooded property associated with Gillespie Lake. The property lay on the west side of the New Lake and shares a portion of its boundary with the Old Lake. The city will retain a band equal to 150 feet from the high water mark along the Old Lake, and 50 feet from the high water mark along the New Lake. The bands of land being retained will allow the city to have access for maintenance.
Bids will be opened and acted upon at the Nov. 10 city council meeting.
There was some discussion of having an online or live auction for the property, but Verticchio said the city could save 10 to 20 percent by conducting the sale independently.
“You can place a notice in the newspaper,” Verticchio said. “If you don’t get an acceptable bid, then you can consider an auction.”
NEW BACKHOE
After several minutes of discussion, the council passed an emergency measure allowing the Mayor to act on the purchase of a new backhoe, provided the cost is $189,000 or less, and to sign documents with United Community Bank to finance the purchase.
The city had planned to trade in its current backhoe, but the current backhoe’s transmission failed this week, significantly reducing the trade in value. Before the current backhoe failed, the city had gotten a price of $156,134 for a replacement machine with a trade-in. Since the value of the trade-in has been reduced, the final cost to the city is not known at this time.
“Without a backhoe, we’re pretty much done,” said Mayor Pettit, summarizing the situation.
The new backhoe will come with a standard bucket, plus forks and a grapple bucket.
In the future, Pettit recommended trading machines at 20,000 to 30,000 hours to retain trade in value.
CITY ENGINEER SHAKE-UP
Mayor Pettit introduced Brian Kulick and Danielle Juneau, representing Juneau and Associates, Inc., Granite City, an engineering firm Pettit retained after firing the firm overseeing the Plum Street improvement project. Juneau will replace Henneghan and Associates, Jerseyville, whom the council retained in December last year, after the previous firm allegedly botched Motor Fuel Tax project cost estimates.
“We were told they were waiting on the state,” Pettit said of the project. “The state told them back in July to send paperwork. It turns out they didn’t do it, so I fired them.”
Ald. Janet Odell-Mueller later confirmed Pettit’s account, reporting that she contacted IDOT and discovered the engineering firm had not filed paperwork requested by the state. The discrepancy apparently is a somewhat technical issue regarding expenditure of Motor Fuel Tax funds. Henneghan reportedly classified the project as a maintenance project, similar to oiling and chipping streets. Because of the specifications for the project, it reportedly should have been deemed a construction project vs regular maintenance.
Ald. Odell-Mueller said she attempted to call Henneghan several times without success and left a voicemail to which the firm did not respond.
In a separate action, the council gave Pettit power to act in signing an amended resolution providing Community Unit School District 7 a permanent right to run bus traffic on Plum Street. In exchange, the school district committed its share of CEJA grant money to help defray the cost of the Plum Street improvement project.
The delay resulting from the engineers’ omission postponed the Plum Street project until next spring. The project includes reinforcing underlayment at the intersections and other work designed to help the street hold up to school bus traffic. In the meantime, Pettit said street crews will use hot asphalt patch to patch the street and will clean ditches to improve drainage, hoping to mitigate against damage during the winter months.
In an another matter affecting bus traffic, the Mayor Pettit announced that city workers will be replacing culverts on Francis and Western streets with work starting “within a week.” Only one of the streets will be closed at a time.
“When we’re working on Francis, you can continue to use Western,” Pettit told CUSD 7 Transportation Director Tim Besserman, who attended the meeting.
CITYWIDE TRASH PICK-UP
After a lengthy discussion, the council directed City Attorney Verticchio to draft a proposed ordinance for action next month establishing a city-wide trash pick-up service. Nearby communities such as Mount Olive and Benld have implemented similar programs using a single vendor to pick-up trash weekly throughout the municiaplity. Ald. Dona Rauzi said the program will save city residents money, since the contract to haul trash will be the lowest bidder.
Residential pick-up could be as low as $19.45, several dollars less than what residents currently pay. Senior citizens could pay as little as $17.20. In addition to lowering costs for consumers, the winning bidder will provide for two annual city-wide clean-ups when consumers can get rid of larger items.
“I think this is something we should pursue,” said Ald. Roando, “but I don’t think we should approve it without having an informational meeting for the public.”
Verticchio advised against holding a public meeting before approving an ordinance. Input from such a meeting would be skewed, he said, because people opposing the measure will be motivated to attend while others stay home. He recommended passing the ordinance, then scheduling a public meeting to explain how the program will work.
One of the major objections in other communities, he said, has been from people who want to keep their current trash hauler.
“If you’re so attached to your trash hauler, you can do that,” he said. “But you’ll still be paying the assessment for city-wide pick-up.”
Rauzi said the City Clerk’s office told her that the city’s software couldn’t add a separate fee for trash pick-up to monthly water bills. But Verticchio suggested there should be a way to merge the trash bill with the water bill.
“If you bill it separately, what are you going to do if they don’t pay it?” Verticchio asked. “If it’s part of your water bill and you don’t pay it, we can shut the water off.”
Verticchio is expected to have a draft ordinance ready for council action next month.
STUTZ PAYMENT
The council voted unanimously to make a second payment to Stutz Excavating in the amount of $317,319.32 for work completed on the downtown Streetscape Project.
Pettit said city officials have been trimming the scope of the Project to keep the costs down. So far, the city has removed side streets from the plan and eliminated some street lights. Combined with other cuts, he said the project is currently nearly $1 million below the engineer’s $4 million cost estimate.
“We’re keeping everything as tight as we can,” Pettit said.
FRANCIS STREET SEWER
Ald. Bob Fritz reported that a proposal to salvage a deteriorating sewer line on Francis Street turned out to be far more expensive than the city can afford. Fritz said VisuSewer told him that before a lining could be installed, the sewer line would have to be cleaned and videoed. At $50 per linear foot, cleaning and videoing the 4,179 feet of the Francis Street sewer to come to more than $60,000.
PARK CAMERAS
Mayor Pettit asked the Park Department to look into the cost of installing surveillance cameras at Big Brick and Welfare parks. Additionally, he asked to investigate the cost of offering wifi and the two facilities.
“I think that’s one area where we’re lacking,” Pettit said. “Most places have wifi in their parks.”
GUESTS
Mike Nelson, representing Frontier Fiber Optic, reported to the council that company plans to start installing fiber optic cables in the city as part of a project to improve access to internet connectivity.
“We’re doing a massive build up in fiber optic,” Nelson said. “We’re going as fast as we can but not too fast. We won’t do anything ahead of a permit. We’re going to work with you” to avoid problems.
He said the company will be consulting with the city to locate underground utilities and other potential issues and the project proceeds.
Emily Martin, representing the Christmas Sparkle committee, appeared before the council to confirm the city could provide a storage area for a large commercial Christmas tree if the committee can afford to purchase it. Dan Fisher with Grow Gillespie said the group plans to use about $3,500 in CEJA grant money earmarked for promoting festivals. The Village of East Gillespie also has committed some CEJA funds to purchase the tree, and CUSD 7 has committed to covering the balance.
SURPLUS PROPERTY BIDS
The council accepted a high bid of $750 from Roger Conlee to purchase an F-350 pick-up truck declared surplus property by the council last month. One other bidder submitted a bid of $580 for the vehicle.
The council also accepted a bid of $678.18 from Everything Free Marketing, Ohio, to purchase a surplus Ford Taurus. Everything Free Marketing was the sole bidder for the vehicle.
No action followed a 35-minute executive session to discuss personnel issues.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Approved a resolution declaring a small parcel of property owned by the city as surplus and trading it to CUSD 7 in exchange for a property on Park Avenue which will give the city access to Bear Creek for maintenance work. The Board of Education approved the exchange late last month.
- Voted to donate $500 to support a Project Third Day golf tournament. Project Third Day raises funds to ensure underserved students have access to lunch and breakfast on weekends and other days when local schools are not open.
- Declared a wooded parcel at the end of Hickory Street as surplus property and offer the property for sale via sealed bids.
- Approved the appointment of John VanDoren to fill a vacancy on the Gillespie Zoning Board.
- Approved an ordinance dedicating a city-owned alleyway as East Burton Street.
- Approved a resolution to support an application for grant funding under the Safe Routes To School program.
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FELONIES
Austen W. Nieder, 31 of Gillespie, is charged with aggravated battery in a public place in connection with an October 20 incident.
Nathan A. Baker, 47 of Hettick, is charged with obstructing justice/destroying evidence, driving under the influence of alcohol, and illegal stopping/standing/parking in connection with an April 13 incident.
Teresa K. Tucker, 83 of Benld, is charged with aggravated battery/use of a deadly weapon and domestic battery causing bodily harm in connection with an October 26 incident.
Janet L. Andrews, 44 of Gillespie, is charged with possession of a controlled substance, DUI any amount of drug, driving under the influence of alcohol, failure to reduce speed, carrying/displaying license, and transporting/carrying alcohol/driver in connection with an October 31 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Jamie M. Griffiths, 53 of Palmyra, is charged with violation of an order after being served a notice in connection with an October 24 incident.
TRAFFIC
Aiden A. Knodel, 18 of Mount Olive, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with an October 17 incident.
Matthew T. Troeckler, 38 of Mount Olive, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with an October 18 incident.
James C. Fitzwater, 54 of Mount Olive, is charged with driving on a revoked license and disregarding a stop sign in connection with an October 18 incident.
John E. Tisdale, 43 of Modesto, is charged with headlight violation and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an October 27 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Jacquelyn Simons versus Jason Simons
- Ashline L. M. Harris versus Jeffrey Harris
- Jennifer L. Parker versus Darrin C. Parker
- Heather R. Elliot versus Ray K. Elliot III
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- Jesse Clay Wright and Rebecca Lyn Mouser, both of Gillespie
- Colin David Robertson and Earl Reah Pastidio Sacabin, both of Staunton
- Gary Eugene Bellm and Micky Sue Cody, both of Virden
- Michael David Pratt and Bailey Ann Schmidt, both of Staunton
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2025
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Litchfield Road in East Gillespie. Cheri L. Bagwell, 48 of Carlinville, was arrested for operating a vehicle with a suspended driver’s license, improper use of title, operating an uninsured vehicle, and operating a vehicle without valid registration.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Park Street in Benld in reference to a domestic battery. Teresa K. Tucker, 83 of Benld, was arrested for aggravated domestic battery.
An officer was dispatched to the 900 block of South Madison Street in reference to a death investigation.
Skylar A. Stewart, 33 of Gillespie, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for methamphetamine delivery.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 500 block of East Central Avenue in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer spoke with a male at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue in the 300 block of North Kentucky in Benld.
An officer spoke with a male at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to a juvenile issue that took place in the 100 block of North Macoupin Street.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Park Street in Benld in reference to a 911 call.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2025
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North Illinois Street in Benld in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of West Wilson Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Spruce Street in reference to illegal burning.
An officer was dispatched to Fillmore Street and Burton Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of East Burton Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to 6th Street in Benld in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Oak Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of North 8th Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2025
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of North 5th Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute. Peyton R. Pehrson, 26 of Benld, was issued a citation for disorderly conduct.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Olive Street in reference to a death investigation.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of East Easton Street in reference to an ordinance issue. Richard D. Grove, 76 of Gillespie ,was issued a citation for nuisance prohibited-obstructed alleyway.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and Hard Road in Benld. Summer J. Blevins, 24 of Gillespie, was issued citations for uninsured vehicle and suspended registration.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South 1st Street in Benld in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to Burton Street and Fillmore Street in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer spoke with a male at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2025
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South 5th Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute. Lucas I. Smith, 35, of Benld was arrested for domestic battery.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Henrietta Street in reference to a medical call.
An officer initiated a traffic stop in the 2300 block of Staunton Road in Benld. Jessica M. Brackman, 34 of Gillespie, was arrested on a Madison County warrant for fraud/bad checks. She was also issued a citation for expired registration.
Douglas D. Davis, 58 of Pekin, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for driving while license was revoked.
Melissa J. Hughes, 50 of Benld, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for theft.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Central in Benld, in reference to an animal complaint
An officer was out on North Main Street in Benld in reference to a motorist assist.
An officer spoke with a male at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to reckless driving in the 300 block of North 6th Street in Benld.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to assisting Animal Control with a call.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Henrietta Street in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Central Avenue in Benld in reference to a medical assist.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and Walnut in Benld. Donald E. Bruhn, 66 of Gillespie, was issued a citation for driving while license was revoked.
An officer assisted the City Alderman at Gillespie Lake on a call in the 15000 block of Oak Ln.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2025
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Broadway Street in reference to a battery. James J. Hamilton, 19 of Brighton, was issued citations for battery and illegal consumption by a minor. Joshua T. Reese, 19 of Jerseyville, was issued citations for battery and illegal consumption by a minor. Kyle T. Yate, 19 of Wood River, was issued citations for battery and illegal consumption by a minor.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Berry Street in Mt. Clare in reference to an altercation and a suspicious vehicle.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Elm Street. Jessica M. McCoy, 27 of Eagarville was issued a citation for driving while license was suspended.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Mor Street in East Gillespie. Teresa C. Dickerson, 45 of Mt. Olive ,was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Harding Avenue in East Gillespie in reference to an ordinance issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Shelby Street in reference to a violation of an order of protection.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of South 6th Street in Benld in reference to an assault.
An officer was dispatched to South 2nd Street in Benld in reference to an alarm sounding.
An officer was dispatched to Kentucky Street in Benld in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Elm Street to speak with a female in reference to criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to Big Brick Park in reference to juvenile issues.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2025
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Gillespie Street in reference to a neighbor dispute.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 300 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to a criminal trespass warning.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie. Thor S. Barnes, 45 of Benld, was arrested for criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Chestnut Street in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Broadway Street in reference to a dog running at large.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 300 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2025
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of South 4th Street in Benld in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to East Chestnut Street and 2nd Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious noise.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South Illinois Street in Benld in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to South Macoupin Street and West Burton Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer spoke with a male at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue in the 200 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie.
An Officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Walnut in reference to an unwanted solicitor.
An Officer was dispatched to 5th Street in Benld in reference to reckless driving.
An Officer was dispatched to the 400 block of East Maple Street in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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