Community News
Gillespie Council eyes pedestrian signals, project expenditures
Addressing the Gillespie City Council on Tuesday night, resident Bethanie James sought support from the city and citizens to install Rapid Flashing Beacons on pedestrian crossing signs on Macoupin Street and Maple and, possibly, on Illinois Route 16 at the Gillespie High School/Middle School campus. The flashing signals are meant to call attention to pedestrian crossing signs when a pedestrian is crossing the street. The flashing signals would improve safety and possibly avert vehicle/pedestrian accidents such as the one that seriously injured a student walking to school last week.
The council’s regular monthly meeting was moved from Monday to Tuesday due to Monday’s Veterans Day holiday.
The rectangular flashing signals feature a series of bright LED lights that flash sequentially at a speed of 75 flashes per minute when a pedestrian activates the signal. James said the signals are activated by pushing a button located on both sides of the intersection. According to a website describing the equipment, the lights are solar powered.
“We can file a request for a permit for free and there are grants available (to help cover the cost),” James said. “They bring a lot more attention to the crossing signs and they will help children get to school more safely.”
A key in the process in obtaining a permit, James said, is public support. Residents can voice concerns about the crossing and support for the flashing signals by visiting idot.illinois.gov/travel-information/report-a-problem online.
“This is something I would love to see us rally behind,” James said. The Illinois Department of Transportation is required to respond to complaints within seven days, she said, indicating the number of people who contact IDOT will be critical to get the project off the ground.
“I think the advantage of her proposal is it can be utilized 24 hours a day,” said James’ husband, Nathan. Ultimately, the signals would improve safety not only for school children but also adults who use the crossing.
James said she would keep the city informed about progress on drumming up support for the project.
“This is going to be city-driven because my understanding is the permit application and grant application will have to be filed by the city,” James said.
UPCOMING PROJECTS
City Treasurer Dan Fisher asked committee members to discuss upcoming projects that will be funded with Tax Increment Financing (TIF), American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) funds. Fisher said time is off the essence in nailing down projects to be paid for with TIF, ARPA and CEJA funds. For TIF-funded and ARPA-funded projects, the council must not only obligate the funds for expenditure, but also enter into agreements with contractors or vendors before the end of the year.
Fisher distributed a spreadsheet outlining upward of $800,000 in expenditures for 2025, noting the project plans have to be finalized by the end of the year or the money will have to go back to the federal government. More than $360,000 in ARPA funds and $70,000 in CEJA funds are on the table.
“This is an opportunity for us to really get a lot done next year,” Fisher said.
Subject to committee input, Fisher allotted $150,000 in TIF funds to remodel a building at at 124 N. Macoupin to accommodate the Gillespie Police Department, in addition to $67,833 in TIF funding used to acquire the building. Fisher’s proposal also includes $80,125 in TIF funds and $70,000 in ARPA funding for remodeling and improving the Civic Center. A total of $61,116 in CEJA funding is earmarked for recreation, along with $100,000 in ARPA funds. Fisher said the money earmarked for recreation probably will go to improvements at Big Brick Park since the status of an Open Spaces Land Acquisition and Development grant application will not be known until October next year. The $600,000 OSLAD grant would cover $1.2 million in improvements at Welfare Park but Fisher cautioned against obligating money for the city’s share of the project until the grant is awarded.
Other expenditures outlined include $96,261 in ARPA funds for a new Street Department truck and $95,000 in ARPA funds for new police cars. A total of $25,000 in TIF funds is allotted for pending facade improvement grant awards, along with $45,000 in TIF funds obligated to pay toward loan notes with United Community Bank.
In total, the city is looking at $161,116 in expenditures to improve parks and recreation facilities, $217,833 for the new Police Department building, $150,000 for Civic Center improvements, $191,261 for new vehicles, and $70,000 for grant awards from TIF funds. The budget also includes $6,107 for administrative expenses. Ten percent of the city’s CEJA award is earmarked for a cooperative community project in the amount of $7,024. In aggregate, the city is looking at a potential $803,650 in expenditures for various projects and acquisitions.
The kicker is the time frame.
Fisher said the committees need to not only determine the amounts of money they want to allocate for specific projects but also be prepared for the city to enter into agreements with contractors or vendors before the end of the year. Each line item will require a separate resolution which will be prepared by City Attorney Rick Verticchio for action in December.
“If you have other projects you want to do, we can do that but we would need to know soon so we can move money from one line item to another,” Fisher noted.
Ald. Dona Rauzi noted there is not enough time to obtain formal bids for the projects Fisher’s budget outlines. Bidding for the police station remodel, for example, would not only involve advertising for bids, but also preparing formal architectural drawings and bidding specifications. In the alternative, Fisher said the city can call for a Request for Proposals, in which case the contractor would be required to supply its own drawings and pricing for specific projects.
“There are probably some local contractors who’d be willing to offer a proposal (for the Police Department) as long as we have some sort of hold harmless provision in case material costs go up,” Fisher said. Some projects could have difficulty attracting proposals because contractors may not want to commit to projects coming up after the first of the year. “It’s not that they don’t want to do it,” Fisher said. “They know we want this done quickly and some of them already have work backed up.”
STREETSCAPE PROJECT
Fisher also reported the city should be able to advertise for bids for the city’s extensive downtown Streetscape Project in December or early January after the Illinois Department of Transportation agreed to issue a permit for the project. The ambitious plan to improve the downtown business environment includes landscaping, plantings, new lighting and reconfiguring parking spaces.
Jointly proposed by Grow Gillespie, a volunteer civic improvement organization, and the City of Gillespie, the Streetscape project is an outgrowth of the city’s water infrastructure replacement project completed three years ago. The Streetscape project has been under discussion for about six years.
Fisher said IDOT reviewed drawings for the project and demanded the alignment on diagonal parking spaces be changed from 25 degrees to 30 degrees as a safety precaution. The change will cost the city one parking space for each block, Fisher said, but IDOT would not negotiate on the requirement because of the city’s record for traffic accidents downtown.
“We’re going to have a little less parking,” Fisher said. “But we had seven accidents in five years that happened when someone was backing out of a parking space.”
Fisher said once the drawings are updated, they will be resubmitted to IDOT approval is expected about one week after the agency receives the plans.
PAY INCREASES FOR PART-TIMERS
On motion by Ald. Landon Pettit, the council unanimously approved a measure to increase the hourly wage for part-time police officers from $17.70 to $19. Additionally, hourly wages for part-time police dispatchers and all other part-time/seasonal workers will increase to $16.
Initially, Police Chief Jared DePoppe approached the council with a proposal to increase wages for part-time police and dispatchers, but Pettit argued at the time that the increase should apply to all part-time workers.
CHRISTMAS BONUSES
After some discussion, the council agreed to give Christmas bonuses to city employees this year in the amount of $125. Last year, the city gave workers a $100 gift card in an attempt to circumvent taking out taxes and medicare/social security contributions.
Fisher said that since city employees voted to join the Illinois Municipal Retirement System, IMRF advised that retirement contributions have to be taken out of Christmas bonuses whether or not the bonus is paid by check or in the form of a gift card than can be converted to cash.
On a motion by Pettit, the council agreed to offer bonuses of $125 in an effort to somewhat mitigate against the required deductions.
TOY DRIVE COMPETITION
Police Chief DePoppe reported that police officers will be accepting toy donations for underprivileged families from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, in the parking lot at United Community Bank. The Police Department has conducted the toy drive annually for the past eight years in cooperation with Joyful Angels, the local organization that distributes food and toys to underprivileged local families for the holiday season. While the police do not accept cash donations, DePoppe said a representative of Joyful Angels will be on hand to accept monetary donations.
This year, DePoppe said, the Gillespie Fire Protection District offered a friendly challenge to see which agency collects the most toys for the Christmas Project.
“The loser has to wash the others’ vehicles,” DePoppe said. “So if you have toys to donate, please donate them to us.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Ald. Rauzi publicly thanked the staff of Lumpy’s Bar and Restaurant for providing a meal for election judges at the Civic Center on Election Day. She also thanked Ald. Wendy Rolando for spearheading a project to purchase American flags to display downtown for patriotic holiday, as well as Charlie Conley, Dale Demkey and John Hicks who assisted with putting up the flags for Veterans Day. Rauzi acknowledged Mark and Jody Carpani and Jennifer, Blake, and Bill Carter for spearheading the project to buy and display banners honoring local veterans.
“We had a lot of compliments about how downtown looked for Veterans Day,” she said.
Rauzi acknowledged Bill and Nolan Hayes who recently helped her remove 27 sets of icicle Christmas lights at the Civic Center and replace them with nine sets of LED lights. The LED lights use less electricity and cut down on the number of extension cords needed. She said she spent all but 37 cents of the $300 budget she was given for new lights.
“I just think when people do things for the city, we forget to thank them,” she said.
No action followed a brief executive session requested by Mayor Hicks to discuss litigation and personnel.
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FELONIES
Justine D. Pocklington, 27 of Standard City, possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams), aggravated feeling police/21 mph over, no valid registration, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a February 2 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Katlyn N. Pilger, 21 of Benld, is charged with theft/unauthorized control (<$500) in connection with a March 28 incident.
Donald L. Lloyd, 46 of Staunton, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with an April 5 incident.
TRAFFIC
Tarina S. Slaughter, 47 of Girard, is charged with improper use of registration/title, unlicensed, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an April 4 incident.
William C. Geiser, 60 of Gillespie, is charged with reckless driving in connection with an April 6 incident.
Lauren E. Wolfe, 21 of Granite City, is charged with improper use of registration/title and expiration of registration in connection with an April 3 incident.
Jim T. Wahl, 53 of Cottage Hills, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with an April 8 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Nora Washington versus Joseph D. Washington
- Samantha Lehnen versus Chad Wallace
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- Colton D. West of Hettick and Alina M. Carver of Scottville.
- Devin J. Martin and Mariah P. Crane, both of Bunker Hill.
- Jonathon E. Swisher of Shipman and Mackenzie P. Calvin of Saint Charles, MO.
- Lucas Boschelli and Danielle J. Boatman, both of Carlinville.
- Todd R. Leverton and Jennifer L. Bowman, both of Carlinville.
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SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Oak Street in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Oak Street in reference to harassment.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Main Street in Benld in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of Park Avenue in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Elm Street in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a 911 call.
MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2026
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
Jonathan M. Kirkwood, 29 of Benld, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for traffic.
An officer was dispatched to Maple Street and Adams Street in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was out with a female at Trolley Street and Central Avenue in Benld in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male in reference to a civil issue in the 200 block of South Main Street in Benld.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Henry Street in East Gillespie. Camden G. Zumwalt, 18 of Staunton, was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a well-being check.
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2026
Cory D. Norton, 33 of Columbus, NC, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for driving while driver’s license was suspended. He also has a warrant out of Montgomery County for failure to appear while driver’s license was suspended.
An officer was dispatched to the intersection of Madison Street and Wilson Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was out with a male at Staunton Road and Charles Street in reference to a traffic crash. Tanner E. Moore, 28 of Gillespie, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, improper lane usage, using an electronic communication device, and failure to change address.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Frey Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Staunton Road in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South 4th Street in Benld in reference to unwanted solicitors.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Maple Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of Richards Street in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was out in the 100 block of South Main Street in Benld. Amanda L. Broderick, 37 of Benld, was issued citations for unlawful possession of traffic signs and obstruction. Luther C. Welch, 31 of Shipman, was issued a citation for obstruction.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Berry Street in Mt. Clare in reference to a death investigation.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 300 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to illegal dumping and criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of North 6th Street in Benld in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to identity theft in the 1200 block of Second Street.
An officer initiated a traffic stop in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street. Andrea M. Hulsey, 30 of Mt. Clare, was issued a citation for her minor child not wearing a seatbelt.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Broadway in reference to a neighbor dispute.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 900 block of Springfield Road in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to Ben-Gil Elementary School in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to Kentucky Street and Hickory Street in Benld in reference to a noise complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Walnut Street to assist the Macoupin County Sheriff Department in serving an eviction notice.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Dorsey Road in Mt. Clare in reference to a well-being check.
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Dorsey Street in Benld in reference to a medical assist.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Donaldson Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and Main Street in Benld. Trinity A. Pruitt, 22 of Benld, was issued citations for speeding and for illegal transportation of cannabis.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to a civil issue.
The school resource officer brought a child to the Gillespie Police Department in reference to juvenile issues.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue in the 200 block of West Spruce Street.
An officer was dispatched to the 2300 block of Staunton Road in Mt. Clare in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Clay Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of East Central Avenue in Benld in reference to suspicious activity.
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2026
An officer was dispatched near the water plant in reference to juveniles fighting.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South Second Street in Benld in reference to assisting the Litchfield Police Department with a case.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Wilson Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Charles Street in reference to a civil issue.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Henry Street in East Gillespie. Leonard J. Schwartz, 55 of Edwardsville, was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Pine Street. Scott A. Byrd, 49 of Wilsonville, was issued a citation for expired registration.
SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2026
Larry E. Conlee, 42 of Mt. Clare, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for dangerous drugs. He was also arrested for resisting a peace officer and aggravated battery.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to an animal complaint on Bishop Drive at Gillespie Lake.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Hard Road in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of East Walnut Street in reference to solicitation.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Community News
“History Belongs to All of Us”: Focus of Carlinville Community Conversation Series starting May 4
“History Belongs to All of Us,” a three-month series of events and activities commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence and emphasizing Illinois’ role in seizing liberty for the American people will kick off Monday, May 4, and continue through July 16, 2026.
The series is project of Carlinville Winning Communities funded by a grant from Illinois Humanities. The events will encourage participants to examine and discuss the Declaration of Independence and other primary historical documents through facilitated conversations, according to Mary Tinder, a Macoupin County Historical Society & Carlinville Winning Communities board member.
Carlinville Winning Communities was one of only 13 entities statewide to receive an Illinois Humanities grant to support the Community Conversations Series.
We are fortunate to have received Illinois Humanities funding for this unique project, With 2026 being the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the 100th anniversary of Route 66, it is altogether fitting to explore where we’ve been and where we’re going, as well as to reflect on both and the cultural impact of our independence, Tinder said.
In keeping with the “History Belongs to All of Us” theme, several of the presentations and discussions will emphasize the role of Native Americans and the impact of American independence on Native American and other cultures.
Program topics will be explored through presentations by Illinois Humanities Road Scholars, live readings of historic documents, art, music and discussions. The programs are free to attend and all venues are handicapped accessible.
The series kicks off with “Illinois in the Revolutionary War,” a presentation by local historian and author Tom Emery, at 7 p.m., Monday, May 4, at the Macoupin County Historical Society’s Ruyle Genealogy Building, 920 W. Breckenridge St., Carlinville. Emery will lead a discussion of information included in his most recently published book, Illinois in the Revolutionary War.
“There was more to the war in Illinois than most people realize,” said Emery. “Revolutionary action took place in many parts of the state, and it was a struggle for all involved. It shows how hard many Americans worked for liberty.”
A discussion of Nicholas Welch’s 1812 Land Grant and the Autobiography of Ma-Ka-Tai-Me-She-Kia-Kiak, better known as Black Hawk, leader of the Sauk/Sac Indian tribes, is set for 7 p.m., Monday, June 1, in the Anderson Home parlor on the Macoupin County Historical Society grounds. Under the Land Grant program, the government set aside more than five million acres in western Illinois to compensate American war veterans with large tracts of land. Though Welch never set foot in Illinois, the granting of land to him displaced Black Hawk from his home in the area of present-day Rock Island. The facilitated discussion will focus on original historic documents, juxtaposing Welch’s land grant with Black Hawk’s experience.
Because of the smaller, more intimate venue, reservations are required. RSVP to marytinder1@gmail.com to reserve a seat.
“Relive the Mother Road: The Edwards Trace,” a collective analysis of documents and a look at contemporary research will be led by Illinois Humanities Road Scholar Anna Sielaff, Friday afternoon, June 26, during an Old Fashioned Route 66 Jubilee on the Macoupin County Courthouse lawn. Sielaff will discuss the 3,000-year-old Edwards Trace, used by Native Americans and early Illinois settlers, that stretched from Cahokia to Peoria. Portions of the trace run through Macoupin County, and some sections lay along the original alignment of Route 66. Imagine Rural Arts also will lead an art project in connection with how the trail was marked.
The Old Fashioned Route 66 Jubilee event runs from noon into the evening with food, musical performances, literary presentations, games, food and other activities.
The date is significant for Carlinville and Route 66 since 6/26/26 happens to be our zip code! The Jubilee offers a variety of experiences and taking a deeper look at the Edwards Trace and the Mother Road is an interesting way to explore local history on this unique date and location, Tinder noted.
Continuing on to the July 4th holiday, Macoupin County high school and college students will read the Declaration of Independence aloud in the main courtroom of the historic Macoupin County Courthouse in Carlinville at 10 a.m. The event also will feature a display of more than 30 historic flags provided by the George Rogers Clark Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. A facilitated discussion will follow the reading and participants will be invited to sign the “Macoupin County America @ 250 Time Capsule” book. The book will then be on display at the Macoupin County Historical Society, said Andrea Duncan, one of the organizers.
A unique and somewhat mysterious artifact from Macoupin County will be the subject of a presentation at 7 p.m., Monday, July 6, at the Historical Society’s Ruyle Genealogy Building. Sharon Breyden and husband Tommy Breyden will display and discuss the Black Hawk Tablet, uncovered in the 1940s on a farm near Hettick. The odd inscriptions on the lead medallion suggests Black Hawk and an early Macoupin settler formalized an agreement to peacefully coexist in central Illinois.
For the final program of the Carlinville Community Conversations series, Illinois Humanities Road Scholar Kim Sigafus, a member of the Ojibwa Native American tribe, will present “We the Native People” at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 16, at the Historical Society’s Ruyle Genealogy Building. The focus is on Native Americans at the time the Declaration of Independence was signed. The interactive program will use traditional story-telling and music to help audience members understand the groundswell changes in Native American culture and lifestyle resulting from American independence and subsequent western expansion.
For more information and details about the “History Belongs to All of Us” series, contact Carlinville Winning Communities Board members, Andrea Duncan, (217) 204-1446, or Mary Tinder, (217) 825-9699.
