Community News
IVEDC give insight to Area Rotary
Frank Schwab, director of IVEDC, explains that the corporation is involved in 4 counties.
The Area Rotary met in a regular meeting on Tuesday, October 18th at Toni’s Restaurant in Benld. Two key note speakers addressed the Rotary after the luncheon. Frank Schwab, the director of Illinois Valley Economic Development Corporation, informed the Rotary of the community action agency and then introduced Joe Broers to explain the heating assist programs.
The Illinois Valley Economic Development Corporation, which was established in 1966, is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity corporation and is the official “community action agency.” IVEDC’s administrative office is located in Gillespie with satellite offices in Carrollton, Hardin, and Jerseyville. The ultimate authority of the corporation is vested in its governing board, which is composed of the representatives from the public, private, and client sector.
Schwab explained the Illinois Valley Economic Development Corporation which serves Macoupin, Green, Jersey, and Calhoun counties. The corporation operates numerous programs and services and is provided by “mostly federal funding.” 75% of the funding is from the federal government and the other 25% is from the state, according to Schwab.
The Corporation focused mainly on the heating assist program during the weekly Rotary meeting. One program is called ‘The Low Income Heating Assist Program,’ which is again funded by both federal and state dollars. The program serves over 5,000 families a year. 50% of the families that are enrolled in the program are elderly families and 25% of the families have some type of disability. “The average payment has been around $500 per household,” Schwab explained.
LIHEAP was designed to help low income eligible households meet the rising cost of home energy by providing financial assistance in the form of direct payments to the household’s energy vendor or the household. For the months of September and October, the LIHEAP program exclusively serves the elderly.”Every year we see new people and certain people who are unemployed,” Schwab went on to say before Joe Broers explained the other energy assist programs.
Broers, who is the project director, discussed the programs that are available to qualified citizens of the four counties IVEDC serves. The low income energy assist program (LIHEAP) has been available for communities for over 20 years. “It provides a way to offset energy costs,” Broers said. Every year we redetermine the amount distributed based on the residents’ current bill.
IVEDC can set up a payment for nearly any company the customer is doing business with. “About 45% of our customers use Ameren,” Broers said, “But we can set a plan with anything, even propane.” Broers said IVEDC can even provide assistance that use fuel/oil or even wood vendors. The idea is to help local households offset their heating bills by providing assistance.
IVEDC also offers a weatherization program which is exclusively designed to help low-income residents save fuel and money, while increasing the comfort of their homes. Repairs are completed by qualified contractors by the agency. There is no charge to participants for material or labor. The weatherization program assesses the home’s heating system to assure it is safe and in good working order. An experienced contractor will clean, tune, repair, retrofit, or replace the heating system. Energy and cost sving measures include replacing light bulbs with energy efficient ones.
“To enroll in this program, the household owner fills out an application and then we go out and assess the house. If the house is in need of repair and the applicant qualifies, we run it through our computer program to get a work order. From there, we assign the work order to a contractor and then get it approved through the household owner,” Frank Schwab said of the weatherization program.
Joe Broers stated he notices families go without eating and without medication to just pay their utility bill.
IVEDC uses 10 different heating and air contractors and 3 different architectural contractors. According to Schwab, the federal funding is decreasing, but there are still 250-300 houses being repaired each year.
“Our goal is to make the person who applies for help responsible for their energy bill,” Broers said. IVEDC does this by establishing the householder as the responsible party and sets them up as the account holder. IVEDC sets up a percentage of income payment plan (PIPP) for low-income households with burdensome energy bills. PIPP helps families make regular, modest, monthly payments.
PIPP households pay 6% of their monthly income towards their utility bills while PIPP provides households up to $150 a month for utilities. PIPP is a program that is strictly sanctioned to Ameren customers and is set up on a yearly basis, as Broers mentioned most families just need help during certain times and not on a regular basis.
“We notice families that go without eating and even without medicine, just so they can pay for utilities,” Broers stated, “This is why this program was created.” If the customer is not an Ameren customer, they have to use the standard direct payment program since PIPP is strictly for Ameren customers. The direct payment program is a set amount they will receive and not based on percentages.
Broers went on to explain what IVEDC does when a family wants to enroll in a program. First, IVEDC connects with Ameren and looks at the household to see what their budget billing amount is and then the corporation establishes their percentage of income amount based on their income amount. IVEDC is strictly based on the income the family earns and strictly watches the families billing from year to year to see if the payments are consistent.
“Our main goal is energy conservation, so families don’t abuse our program,” Broers went on to state. We want to provide the families with a leveled payment amount that is affordable so families do not have to worry if they can afford next month’s bill or not, IVEDC said.
Anyone interested in applying can apply after November 1, unless you are a senior or disabled citizen or your family has under 5 people and then you can sign up at anytime. To enroll in PIPP, LIHEAP or any other utility assistance program contact CEDA at: 877-411-9276.
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The Benld City Council on Monday night unanimously approved a new ordinance governing livestock within the city limits. The new ordinance, which has been under discussion since April, will take effect in 90 days.
The issue came to light when resident Jennifer Zippay appeared before the council to voice concerns about a neighbor’s plans to stable three horses on a parcel zoned for agricultural use. The council initially considered amending the zoning code to further define “agricultural use,” but apparently later opted to write a new ordinance.
A version of the ordinance was tabled during the May council to make further revisions to the document.
The new ordinance excludes pets such as dogs, cats and caged birds. The number of cats and/or dogs a resident is permitted to own is governed by other ordinances.
Titled “Animals, Etc. in the City of Benld,” the new ordinance allows property owners to have up to three horses, sheep, goats or rabbits on their property, provided the property is zoned for agricultural use and comprises a minimum of three acres.
Cattle, swine, ducks, turkeys or geese are banned completely. An ordinance approved in 2016 already limits the number of chickens residents can raise within the city limits.
The ordinance specifically “grandfathers” property zoned for agricultural use where animals are already in place. That exclusion presumably includes the property that sparked the debate originally. The “grandfathering” clause ends when the property is sold. Property owners subject to “grandfathering” cannot replace animals prohibited by the ordinance in the event an animal dies.
The ordinance further requires property owners raising animals on their properties to install proper fencing, maintain the property to control odors and other factors that could be deemed a nuisance, and requires animal owners to properly care for and restrain their animals.
Law enforcement officers are empowered to issue an order prohibiting the keeping of any animal deemed to pose a health hazard to the general public.
Ald. Jerry Saracco moved to adopt the ordinance with a revision to require animal owners to register with the City Clerk declaring the type of animals they plan to have on their properties.
PROPERTY LEASE
The council voted unanimously to give Mayor Jim Kelly power to act in negotiating with Cahokia Township Highway Department to lease a small parcel of real estate where a communications tower was located. Kelly said he was contacted by the township Highway Commissioner about leasing the property to store a pile of rock currently being stored at a private residence.
“I don’t have a problem with leasing it,” Ald. Saracco commented. “What I’m concerned about is how much are we going to lease it for.”
City Clerk Terri Koyne said American Tower, owner of the now demolished communication tower, paid the city $350 per month to lease the parcel.
APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE
On a motion by Ald. John Balzraine, the council tabled action on the city’s annual appropriation ordinance. The required ordinance must be approved and filed by August 1, meaning the council presumably will vote on the ordinance in July.
VANDALISM
Balzraine reported that during the early morning hours on Sunday, someone broke a concrete urn containing flowers in front of City Hall. The urn was one of several decorating the downtown district.
“It’s a damned shame we can’t have anything,” Balzraine said. “This is the third or fourth time this has happened, and if we catch them, we’ll go after them to the fullest extent of the law.”
OIL DATE
Mayor Kelly announced that the city’s Motor Fuel Tax oil and chip program is scheduled for Tuesday, August. 19.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Again retained Scheffel Boyle, CPAs, to conduct the city’s annual audit at a cost not to exceed $18,300. City Clerk Koyne said the accountants will start work in city offices next week.
- Approved a business license for a lawn care business owned by Eric Kravanya.
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FELONIES
Amy J. Frizzo, 51 of Staunton, is charged with two counts of aggravated battery on a peace officer and resisting arrest in connection with a June 8 incident.
Anita S. Grizzle, 49 of Gillespie, is charged with possession of a controlled substance in connection with an April 27 incident.
Shane S. Bell, 34 of Girard, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams) in connection with a May 8 incident.
Savannah R. Staples, 30 of Palmyra, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams) in connection with a December 28, 2024 incident.
Stephen L. Barrick, 50 of Virden, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams) in connection with an April 19 incident.
Jonathan A. Graves, 33 of Wilsonville, is charged with possession of a controlled substance in connection with an April 2 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Kelly M. Lyons, 36 of Benld, is charged with battery/making physical contact in connection with a May 3 incident.
Michael A. Lewis, 48 of Girard, is charged with two counts of violation of an order of protection in connection with a June 10 and June 11 incident.
Anita S. Grizzle, 49 of Gillespie, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee in connection with a June 12 incident.
TRAFFIC
Dustin A. Chapman, 42 of Girard, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a June 7 incident.
Kyle W. Bennett, 38 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with a June 8 incident.
Anthony C. Harris, 54 of Springfield, is charged with driving on a revoked license, canceled/revoked/suspended registration, operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a June 7 incident.
Charles E. Lawton, 70 of Bunker Hill, is charged with driver’s license expired more than a year and unregistered/expired registration in connection with a June 2 incident.
Olivia Beiermann Tilley, 23 of Gillespie, is charged with driving on a suspended license, driving 15-20 mph above the limit, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a May 31 incident.
Brenda M. Pipkin, 60 of Nilwood, is charged with driving on a suspended license, operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a June 2 incident.
Jacob N. Smith, 24 of Staunton, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a June 2 incident.
Tanner C. Williams, 20 of Wentzville, MO, is charged with speeding 35+ mph over the limit and being unlicensed in connection with a June 2 incident.
Mary L. Hagaman, 86 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a suspended license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and failure to reduce speed in connection with a May 31 incident.
Casey A. Stratton, 36 of Auburn, is charged with leaving the scene, failure to give notice of a crash, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and failure to reduce speed in connection with a June 5 incident.
Denis Ivan Perez Rivera, 30 of Knoxville, TN, is charged with driving while never issued a license in connection with a June 2 incident.
Lucio B. Carcamo, 27 of Phoenix, AZ, is charged with driving while never issued a license in connection with a June 2 incident.
Megan E. Bertoldi, 38 of Litchfield, is charged with reckless driving, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and failure to reduce speed in connection with a May 30 incident.
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Meeting Tuesday evening, June 10, the Macoupin County Board approved four resolutions paving the way for the replacement of a structurally deficient bridge on Hagaman Road over Solomon Creek about three miles southwest of Hettick. The contractor will remove an existing bridge and replace it with a three-span, 1,700-foot bridge with a concrete deck. The county’s share of the project will be up to $32,000.
The board approved a resolution appropriating up to $32,000 in local funds to support the project. State and federal funds will be used to pay WHKS & Co., Springfield, $35,424 for structural engineering services and environmental studies, and $160,918 to Hampton, Lenin and Renwick, Inc, Springfield, for Phase II construction engineering. Total cost for the project, including engineering costs, is projected at $2,060,000.
In addition to the major bridge project on Hagaman Road, the board approved three 50/50 township petitions to share the cost of replacing culverts on township roads. The approved petitions include:
- Replacing a culvert crossing a feeder stream to Gillespie Lake in Gillespie Township at a cost of $20,000, of which the county will contribute $10,000.
- Replacing a culvert crossing Honey Creek in Honey Point Township at a cost of $20,000, of which the county will cover $10,000.
- Replacing a culvert crossing Fox Branch in Scottville Township at a cost of $10,000, of which the county will cover $5,000.
A routine annual resolution to appropriate $140,300 in Motor Fuel Tax funds to pay the County Engineer for the 2025 calendar year also was approved.
WIND FARM PROJECT
Maggie Shelton, project manager for Scout Clean Energy, briefly discussed the Honeycut Wind Farm project in southwestern Macoupin County. Shelton told the board the company is in the land leasing phase of the project and may be two to three years away from approaching the County Board for permits. The company recently established a business office on Keating Street in Shipman.
Responding to a question from board member Bernie Kiel of Girard, Shelton said the project may encompass 15,000 to 25,000 acres and will support approximately 60 wind turbines. Seventy-five landowners have already committed to leasing 15,000 acres to the company but not all of the acreage is contiguous. Shelton said the company is working now to “fill in the gaps” to create a contiguous parcel.
When completed, the project is expected to generate $85 million in tax revenue for the county. The construction phase is expected to create 200 temporary jobs, and the facility will create 10 full-time operator jobs.
Shelton said she was simply notifying the board to keep board members in the loop going forward.
“I don’t want you to be caught off-guard,” she said. “We have strong landowner support. We have established an office in Shipman and I want you to feel free to come into the office any time you have questions.”
With an estimated completion date of October 2030, the Honeycut project is expected to provide enough electricity to power 120,000 homes.
Board members also heard from Gregory Santoni and Chris Stanford, representing Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC). A state-funded statewide program, the regional TASC office serves five counties in southwestern Illinois, including Macoupin.
“Our overall goal is to work through law enforcement to help as many people as possible in our five county area,” Santoni said. “We help people with mental illness issues, drug addiction and, sometimes, homelessness. We try to deflect those people away from involvement with law enforcement. Law enforcement has enough to do with other things.”
Law enforcement agencies in Macoupin County, as well as libraries, public health agencies, and other services, can refer people with mental health, alcoholism or drug addiction to TASC.
“If you know someone with mental health issues or drug abuse issues who don’t know where to go, please contact us,” Santoni said.
Stanford, himself 15 years into recovery, said TASC makes contact with referrals within 24 hours.
“Our services are completely voluntary,” Stanford said. “If they want our help, we will take them by the hand and take them through the process every step of the way.”
For the first time since April, there were no guests on the agenda to lodge complaints against Board Chair Larry Schmidt regarding alleged homophobic comments he made on social media. Meanwhile the Attorney General’s office is continuing to investigate an open meetings violation complaint in connection with Schmidt conducting a text messaging poll to gauge board members’ opinions about whether or not he should step down.
Both Pete Drummond, a private attorney retained on behalf of the board to avoid potential conflicts of interests with the county State’s Attorney, has filed a response to the complaint, as well as a letter from Schmidt himself to the Attorney General’s office.
GRANT AND CONTRACT DEVELOPER
In the committee reports segment of the meeting, board members learned the Economic Development Committee hired Joseph Chirwa as a grant manager for the county. Last month, the board gave the committee power to act in filling the newly created position. The initial contract is for one year with an option to continue based on the monetary value of grants the candidate is able to bring in.
Chirwa earned Masters and PhD from Northern Arizona University and was previously employed as a grants specialist for Terros Health in Phoenix, Arizona.
Participating by phone, Committee Chair Holly Klausing said he hopes to have Chirwa attend the next board meeting to introduce him to board members.
COURTHOUSE ROOF SAFETY
On the recommendation of the Building and Grounds Committee, the board unanimously approved a resolution establishing safety protocols for access to the courthouse roof. Committee Chair Harry Starr said the new roofing material on the roof poses a hazard for persons accessing roof for maintenance and other purposes. He said the policy establishes safety practices and can be updated in the future as the board sees fit.
The policy limits access to the roof to employees and contractors who have been trained, possess fall safety certification, and wear properly tested and tethered safety harnesses. Employees who access the roof must notify the Sheriff in advance, and all tools must be secured to reduce hazards for persons on the ground.
CORONERS MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT
Board members voted unanimously to join the state’s Coroners and Medical Examines Mutual Aid network. County Coroner Anthony Kravanya told the board the agreement will enable his office to lend assistance to other counties in the event of a disaster or incident involving mutiple fatalities such as the Illinois-55 traffic pile-up two years ago resulting from a dust storm in Montgomery County. By the same token, coroners and medical examiners from other counties are obligated to respond to Macoupin County in the event of a disaster.
“It’s something you hope you never need,” Kravanya said, “but you want it on file in case something happens.”
PROPERTY FRAUD
The board approved a new ordinance aimed at empowering the County Recorder to pursue and refer to the Circuit Court instances of property fraud or illegal clouding of title, and to pursue judgment in the court. According to the ordinance, property fraud, including fraudulent filings intended to cloud or fraudulently transfer title to real property by recording false or altered documents and deeds is a growing problem throughout the state.
While empowering the County Recorder to seek legal remedies, the ordinance does not preclude the State’s Attorney from filing criminal charges nor does it restrain property owners from filing civil lawsuits against the offender. If the court agrees with the Recorder’s allegations of fraud or title clouding, the defendant will be held responsible for court costs and filing fees.
BUDGET ISSUES
The Finance Committee reported it has received budget requests from county office holders and program managers. While most government entities requested modest increases of two to three percent, primarily to cover salary increases, the total increase approaches $480,000.
Meanwhile, County Clerk Pete Duncan is projecting flat revenues for the fiscal year starting starting Sept. 1. The annual budget averages about $20 million. At this point in the current fiscal year, Duncan said the county has taken in $10,084,363 for the General Fund and spent $7,386,718 which is keeping with projections made last year. The board projects General Fund revenues for next year of $10,065,452—$18,911 less that this year’s receipts.
The Finance Committee expects to hammer out a lean budget over the next few weeks with an eye toward presenting the final budget for board approval in August.
EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES
Following a 15-minute executive session, the board voted to keep the following executive session minutes sealed: an executive session from the Jan. 14 meeting remains sealed due to ongoing potential litigation. Executive session minutes from the May 13 board meeting, and the April 29, May 27 and June 9 meetings of the Economic Development Committee remain sealed for ongoing personnel issues.
Tuesday night’s executive session may also have included conversations about contract negotiations. County employees working under the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) reportedly have been working without a new contract for 10 months and remains the only bargaining unit with which the county has not reached a resolution.
A handful of AFSCME members protested their lack of a contract outside the courthouse prior to meeting.
COUNTY LIQUOR LICENSES
Following the recommendation of the County Liquor Commission, the board approved renewing the following licenses:
- Timber Lakes Golf Course, Staunton.
- Plainview Vineyard, Plainview.
- Wild Pickens Winery, Chesterfield.
- Bucks Crossing, Medora.
- The Topp Hatt, Inc. Girard.
- Staunton Country Club.
- Darr’s Truck Stop, Medora.
- The Rustic Venues, LLC, Standard City.
- Macoupin County Fair.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the board:
- Appointed Tammy Dugan to a five-year term on the Henderson Water District Board of Directors ending June 30, 2030.
- Gave the Economic Development Committee power to act in regard to writing letters of support for an application for a 2025 Energy Transition Community Grant.
