Community News
Gillespie Police Report: December 11-17, 2022
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2022
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Main Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to East Elm Street and Clinton Street in reference to a suspicious noise.
An officer was dispatched to North Main Street and Locust Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to criminal damage in the 500 block of South Macoupin Street.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a child custody issue.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at South Macoupin Street and Elm Street. Brandi L. Schmitt-Brewer, 40, of Benld was issued a citation for operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2022
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to a battery.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 300 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to found property.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of North 5th Street in Benld in reference to reckless driving.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Francis Street in reference to a suspicious person.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2022
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North Lincoln Street in Eagarville in reference to harassment.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South 5th Street in Benld in reference to a dog at large. James C. Dean, 39, of Benld was issued a citation for a dog at large.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to an order of protection issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of North 8th Street in Benld in reference to an abandoned vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 1100 block of Madison Street in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Walnut Street in reference to a civil issue.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a suspicious message.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to criminal damage in the 500 block of South Macoupin.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to trespassing.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to Park Avenue and Elm Street in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North Illinois Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2022
An officer was dispatched to Pine Street and South Street in reference to a traffic crash.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a theft in the 400 block of LJ Avenue.
An officer was dispatched to Route 4 and Route 16 in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was out in the 400 block of LJ Avenue checking on a crime-stoppers tip.
An officer was dispatched to Broadway Street and Montana Street in reference to a traffic crash. Troy E. Barker, 48, of Troy was issued a citation for hit-and-run.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Elm Street for possible criminal damage.
An officer was dispatched to Madison Street and Charles Street in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer spoke to a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a theft.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South First Street in Benld in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to a civil issue.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue in the 700 block of East Walnut Street.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2022
An officer was dispatched to the area of Gillespie Street at Handy Street in reference to a loud vehicle.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to suspicious activity in the alleyway in the 200 block of East Maple Street.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of Park Avenue in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South 4th Street in Benld in reference to a mental subject.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2022
An officer was dispatched to the 900 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a theft.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of LJ Avenue in reference to a suspicious person. Latisha L. Conner, 32, of Gillespie was arrested on a Montgomery County warrant for failure to appear for possession of methamphetamine. She was also arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at South Hard Road and East Spruce in Benld. A 16-year-old male from Benld was issued citations for exceeding GDL passenger limits and possession of drug paraphernalia.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Elm Street and Macoupin Street. Kevin L. Cox, 24, of Brighton was issued a citation for expired registration.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Maple Street. Anita F. Terry, 72, of Wilsonville was issued a citation for disregarding a stop sign.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2022
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Staunton Road and Charles Street. William J. Cooper, 60, of Benld was arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol and improper lane usage.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to a theft.
An officer spoke with a female in the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to harassment by telephone.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of LJ Avenue in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was initiated at Montgomery Street and Cedar Street. Desirea N. Manus, 25, of Gillespie was arrested on a warrant out of Macoupin County for a traffic offense. She was also issued citations for expired registration, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, obstructing identification, possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of East Chestnut Street in reference to a theft.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Dorsey Road in Mt. Clare in reference to a mental subject.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of East Maple Street in reference to a suspicious person.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Community News
Gillespie Council establishes penalty of late lake lot lease payments, green lights programs to display banners honoring local veterans
After several minutes of discussion and debate, the Gillespie City Council on Monday night adopted a resolution that enables the city to collect a $100 late fee for lake lot lease payments that come in after the April 1 deadline. Council members also endorsed a privately funded program proposed by two sisters to purchase and display banners on Macoupin Street to recognize individual local military personnel.
Lake lot lease-holders are required to pay their $750 annual lease payment on April 1. Under the new policy, the city will impose a $100 late fee. If the lease remains unpaid after May 31, the city will terminate the lease.
Debate centered on whether or not a new leaseholder would be responsible for the unpaid late fee. City Attorney Rick Verticchio wrote the resolution to attach the fee to the lot rather than the lease-holder, meaning a new owner would have to redeem the late fee to rent the lot. Ald. Janet Odell-Mueller, however, said such a policy would be unfair to the new lease-holder.
Verticchio said he wrote the resolution to prevent families or friends from transferring lots from one to another without paying for the previous year’s lease. He said a person could conceivably default on a year’s lease, transfer the property to a family member or friend who could do the same thing a year later. “This is to prevent ‘sweetheart deals’,” Verticchio said, where a group of friends or family members could retain a lot indefinitely without ever paying for a lease.
Ald. Landon Pettit pointed out, however, that lease-holders are required to pay a deposit equal to a one-year lease. Meaning the city will get the lease payment when the lease-holder forfeits the lease. At that point, Odell-Mueller said, the lease-holder would not be transferring the lease. Instead, the city would have control of the property.
Verticchio said he was not aware of the deposit issue and suggested he could reword a portion of the resolution to indicate that in the event the lease is terminated the deposit would be applied to the balance due and the penalty would be waived. Essentially, the penalty applies only if the delinquent lease-holder chooses to retain the lease by paying the penalty plus the annual lease.
At one point, Mayor John Hicks suggested referring the resolution back to committee to hammer out the final language, Ultimately, however, the council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution with the changes Verticchio suggested.
MILITARY HEROES BANNERS
On a motion by Ald. Wendy Rolando, the council voted unanimously to give permission to Jennifer Carter and her sister, Jodi Carpani, to purchase and place banners honoring local military personnel on Veterans Day. Carter said the women hope to have the banners on Macoupin Street in time for Veterans Day this year.
“We would like the city council’s permission to recognize our community heroes,” Carter said, addressing the council, “and we would like permission to ask the community to join us in honoring them sponsoring a banner.”
Carter said there are 20 brackets currently available on Macoupin Street to mount the banners. The banners are two-sided, meaning the pair could honor up to 40 veterans at the moment. She said the number of banners could be expanded if some of the broken brackets are replaced.
The banners cost $80 each, and the sisters plan to seek the support of community members to pay for them. Carter said they will not profit from the project.
“We will bear the responsibility to organize and solicit our community to sponsor a local veteran with a hometown heroes banner to be hung every year on Veterans Day,” Carter said. “My sister and I will be responsible for hanging and removing the banners each year.”
She said the banners will be similar to those currently displayed in Wilsonville, Edwardsville and Bunker Hill. The project will not interfere with Miners flags that are displayed on Macoupin Street during football season.
“My fear is that we will have more people wanting banners than we have brackets for,” Carter said. She said they will approach the Benld City Council for permission to hang banners in that community if a significant number of people want to honor Benld veterans.
Mayor Hicks noted that there will be more poles available for displaying banners when the city’s Streetscape project is finished.
Last month, Ald. Rolando received the permission of the council to solicit donations to buy new American flags for Macoupin Street. She said she can work with the sisters to see if the banners can be displayed on the same pole with the flags, or possibly have the flags on alternate poles along the Main Street.
WATER BILL POLICY
After a lengthy discussion, Mayor Hicks asked the Public Works Committee to work on establishing a policy for collecting delinquent water bills when a residence is sold to a new owner. The discussion stemmed from concerns voiced by Jack Taylor who recently purchased a vacant home with the intention of renovating it for resale. After closing on the real estate, he learned there was a $200 delinquent water bill he was required to pay before having the water turned on.
“Had he come up to city hall and asked them to check that address, they would have told him about the outstanding bill,” Verticchio said.
Taylor complained that he had a title search completed but the city had not placed a lien against the property. “If someone buys a house, they’re going to do a title search. No one is going to come up here and check the water bill,” he said. “I’m just saying it’s unfair to the buyer.”
Verticchio said filing a lien on a $200 water bill would not be practical. The city would have to pay him for his services plus a $81 filing fee. “At that point you’ve doubled the bill,” he said. “All of sudden, $200 is $400.” Most municipalities, he said, do not file formal liens until the delinquent bill reaches $500.
City Treasurer Dan Fisher said the city cannot waive delinquent water bills because of money the city received from USDA for its water infrastructure project completed two years ago. “We have a loan with the federal government. Under the terms of that loan, we have to collect all bills,” he said. “We have to be able to collect that money to uphold our end of our agreement with the federal government.”
Fisher recommended that the Water Department shut off water service for delinquent customers sooner so excessive bills do not accrue.
Hicks recommended that the Public Works Committee work on a policy regarding delinquent water bills. One possible solution, he said, would be to remove water meters from vacant homes with delinquent bills.
“That way, the buyer would have to call the Water Department to have the water turned on, and they would tell them that there’s a bill against it,” he said.
He told Taylor he would look at the bill and see if there were late fees or interest that could be waived.
STOP SIGNS
The council approved an ordinance to place stop signs at the intersection of LJ Avenue and Oak Street to facilitate rerouted bus traffic resulting from Community Unit School District 7’s decision to convene and dismiss school at the same times for all its buildings.
Ald. Odell-Mueller questioned whether the safety of elementary students crossing the road would be jeopardized by the rerouted buses.
Fisher responded that the school district is working with the city to apply for a safety grant to install sidewalks in the area of BenGil Elementary School to address safety concerns.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Ratified the Mayor’s appointment of Dave Tucker, Kelley Hatlee and Katie Drummond to the Gillespie Public Library Board of Directors.
- Agreed to accept a bid of $15,500 from Cahokia Township for the purchase of a surplus dump truck, and a bid of $5,000 from Kinney Construction for a surplus vacuum truck. No bids were received for a street sweeper that also was declared as surplus property last month.
- Accepted a total bid of $760 from Jim Feeley to remove trees in the 800 block of Frey Street, the 600 block of Adams Street and at Big Brick Park.
- Voted to establish a separate checking account for funds generated from the city’s second Tax Increment Financing district.
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Meeting in special session Monday night, August 26, the Gillespie City Council voted 5-2 to purchase a brick building at 124 N. Macoupin St. to house the growing Gillespie Police Department.
On a motion by Ald. Dona Rauzi, seconded by Ald. Bill Hayes, the council agreed to buy the building, which formerly housed the Gillespie Chiropractic Clinic, for $69,000. Mayor John Hicks said the city expects to spend up to $200,000 to remodel the structure to house the Gillespie Police Department, currently located at 109 W. Pine St. The fate of the 109 W. Pine address was not discussed, nor was a timeline for moving the police department into new quarters.
Ald. Rauzi, Hayes, Wendy Rolando, Bob Fritz and Janet Odell-Mueller voted in favor of the purchase. Ald. Dave Link and Frank Barrett cast dissenting votes. Ald. Landon Pettit, who advocated for the purchase during the council’s regular monthly meeting two weeks ago, was absent.
At 2,270 square feet, the new building will nearly double the square footage available for the Police Department. The building is located on a 15,000-square-foot lot, compared with 9,000 square feet at the current location, meaning there will be ample room for parking and/or to build onto the existing structure.
City Treasurer said the building owner listed the property for $80,000. The city offered $60,000 and settle at $69,000 after further negotiations.
Fisher said modifications to the building will include replacing stairs to the basement with ADA-compliant stairs, which will make the basement accessible for storage and securely holding evidence.
“We’ll probably change the entryway to make it a double-lock entry,” Fisher said. “We’ll have to make some changes but basically the inside won’t change very much.” Current exam rooms can become individual offices with little or no remodeling. The lobby area will probably be divided with a new wall to create a waiting area for visitors.
For the past two years, the council has investigated the possibility of remodeling the space vacated in the Civic Center when the Fire Department moved to new facilities in East Gillespie. Cost estimates for that project, however, came in at $600,000 to $700,000. Buying and remodeling 112 N. Macoupin St. will cost approximately half of what was estimated for the Civic Center alternative.
“We’ve been talking about doing something here for a couple of years,” Ald. Link said. “How many thousands of dollars have we spent on engineering for here?”
Fisher replied that engineering fees for the Civic Center project total about $5,000, but some of the planning for the Civic Center location should translate to the 112 N. Macoupin site.
“We’re thinking we can use some of the plans we had done for here for the new building,” Fisher said. “We hope we can use some of those plans to spec out the other building without making much modification.”
Hicks said a larger facility for the Police Department is needed because the size of the Department has expanded in order to service police protection contracts with surrounding communities including Benld, Eagarville, Mt. Clare, Sawyerville, East Gillespie and Wilsonville.
“We’ve got more people working for us,” Hicks said. “We have more people coming in,” Hicks said the city also wanted to have the Police Department located on the city’s Main Street.
“I still think the dentist office would be a better place to put it,” Ald. Barrett commented, referring to the former location of Smiles Plus Dentistry, 709 Staunton Rd. “The square footage is more and the basement is finished.”
“What you’re talking about is $130,000,” said Ald. Rolando, “plus there’s more parking space with this place.”
Monday night’s special meeting of the council was held immediately prior to a committee meeting during which the committee members directed Fisher to apply for a federal grant to defray the cost of buying two police patrol cars sometime after Oct. 1, and recommended setting 6-8 p.m., Oct. 30 and 31, as trick or treating hours. Committee actions do not become official until approved by the full council.
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The Bunker Hill Area Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual Fall Festival on September 14 in the downtown area beginning at 10 am.
The event will feature vendors, food, beverages, a bounce house, an interactive Illinois Department of Natural Resources booth, music, a car show, a burnout contest, and a fireworks display sponsored by the Bunker Hill United Community Bank Community at 8 PM. City Heat band will perform from 12-4 and Rock Bottom from 6-10.
The Speed Demons host the car show and burn-out contest. The entry fee is $20, and the event runs from 10 to 5, Mark Flieger, the group spokesperson, said. Registration for the car show starts at 8 am. Enter on Highway 159 at Park Street. Car Show Awards will be presented at 4 pm.
The Burnout Contest starts at 5 pm. Cash and Custom-made Trophy for the 1st place winner. Kids Power Wheels Drag Racing from 12 pm – 1 pm and 100 goodie bags to the first 100 cars that enter the 2024 Car Show.
For further information, contact Jill Chapman at 618 223 9043, Lisa Webb at 618 407 2513, or Mark Flieger at 314 210 6254.
