Community News
Macoupin County Board enters into engineering contract, approves resolution condemning political violence
Macoupin County Board members on Tuesday night agreed to enter into a $190,000 contract with Hampton, Lenzini & Renwick, Inc. Springfield, to engineer and design Phase II of a project to improve Emmerson Airline, and voted to approve a resolution condemning political violence. The board also approved a largely symbolic resolution opposing the Safe Gun Storage Act, recently approved by the General Assembly.
In other action, the board approved a contract with County GIS Coordinator Aaron Coe, adjusted the budget for fiscal 2026 to account for increases in insurance premiums, and approved a long-awaited amended subdivision ordinance.
According to County Engineer Tom Reinhardt, Hampton, Lenzini & Renwick will complete engineering associated with the second phase of the Emmerson Airline Project. Originally built in the 1930s, the 12-mile roadway connects Girard with Palmyra, crossing Otter Lake at about the mid-point. Successive applications of asphalt and chips raised the road surface above the gutters on each side of the roadway, creating hazardous driving conditions.
The rehabilitation project includes removing the old pavement, widening the roadway and reconstructing the pavement.
The project has been ongoing since 2014 when Thiems Construction was retained to rehabilitate about 4.5 miles of the roadway between Girard and Carlinville Cut-Off. Completion of that $5 million project was delayed when the contractor encountered unreported underground utilities and other factors.
Phase II will focus on the section between Carlinville Cut-Off and Quarton Road. Eighty percent of the project is covered with federal funds, with local funding making up the balance.
BOARD VOTES TO CONDEMN POLITICAL VIOLENCE, OPPOSE GUN STORAGE LAW
The board approved a resolution condemning political violence by acclamation, with one member voting “present.” The resolution originally was proposed as a measure to declare Oct. 14 as Charlie Kirk Day in remembrance of the political activist who was assassinated on Sept. 10. After hearing citizens concerns, the Administrative Committee revised the resolution to put the board on record in opposing all forms of political violence.
District 3 board member Kristi Dunnagan initially objected to the resolution, calling it a “waste of paper,” but later voted to approve it when it came to a vote.
“To me, this is unnecessary,” Dunnagan said. “This is just common sense to me. We all respect the views of other people and we would never call for violence. This is a Republican majority board, but even when it was a Democrat board, they would never have called for violence. I think it’s ridiculous.”
Ryan Kilduff, District 1, who later voted “present” said he concurred with Dunnagan’s assessment.
District 5 board member John Blank, however, said the resolution was not directed at board members but was a condemnation of political violence in sphere.
“I think this is necessary, not for us but for the things that are said outside this room,” Blank said. “If we don’t condemn political violence, it’s going to be in our back yard someday.”
Molly Rosentreter indicated the resolution resonated with her since she and her family, as political figures, had experienced threats first hand.
“Political violence is on an uptick,” Board Chair Larry Schmidt commented, adding that the resolution condemns political violence regardless of its source.
The board unanimously approved by acclamation a resolution opposing the state’s Safe Gun Storage Act and affirming the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners. The resolution asserts that the new law infringes upon the rights of gun owners who have guns in their homes to protect their families and homes. The strict requirements for gun storage and trigger locks, the resolution says, would prevent gun owners from quickly accessing their firearms in an emergency. The resolution further argues that enforcement would require unreasonable intrusions into gun owners’ homes.
Chairman Schmidt acknowledged the law has already been passed. “This is just us going on record in opposition to it,” he said.
Earlier in meeting Eleanor Harms, Carlinville, appeared before the board to commend the Administrative Committee for listening to citizen concerns and drafting a resolution to condemn political violence across the board.
“I would like to commend the members of the General Administrative Committee for putting forth a resolution condemning all for forms of political violence and encouraging the people of Macoupin County to engage in civil discussion,” she said. “At the same time, I would like to encourage you, as leaders of our community, to set an example of kindness and respect, and to vocally denounce expressions of violence and threats against political opponents. When you see something, say something. If you hear someone joking about bringing a gun to a political rally or driving a car into a peaceful protest, your words can make a difference–or your silence can speak volumes.”
Gillespie resident Jim Cloud also addressed the board, expressing concerns about comments appearing on the Macoupin County Republicans Facebook page. With a 15-3 majority on the board, Cloud asserted the actions of the party reflect on the board. He singled out Aaron Stayton, District 6, administrator of the GOP Facebook page for allegedly misleading the public regarding COVID and, more recently, the administration’s claim that Tylenol is linked to autism.
“If one of your members is lying to the general community, it makes the Macoupin Republican Party look like liars,” Cloud said, “it undermines not only your private organization’s credibility it undermines the entire County Board’s credibility.”
Cloud presented screenshots of a Facebook thread about the Mt. Olive parade that descended into a discussion of the federal and state response to COVID. Cloud accused Stayton to disseminating erroneous information and deleting opposing comments and/or blocking the poster.
“You’ve blocked me from the Macoupin Republicans page for simply sharing credible and accurate information,” Cloud alleged. “You have also made false claims on the same page that you have not blocked me. You have also limited other Macoupin citizens free speech by either deleting comments or limiting the view of comments. These are not comments that would get one banned from any other reasonable and relatively unbiased local Facebook page, especially from one that is supposed to represent the principles of free speech.”
Cloud had expected to call for Stayton’s removal from board committees and to remove him as administrator of the party’s Facebook page, but exceeded the time limit imposed for public comments.
“I do not care if you are a Democrat or Republican,” he said. “I firmly believe that any deception by any local government leaders hurt all of the fine citizens of Macoupin County regardless of party affiliation.
GIS MANAGER
Following a 15-minute executive session to discuss personnel, the board voted unanimously to extend GIS Manager Aaron Coe’s contract by three years with annual salary increases of four percent each year. Coe has managed the county’s Geographic Information System for the past seven years. GIS is used to update maps and has several applications in county government, such as defining taxing district boundaries and recording deeds.
In a related matter, the board approved, on Coe’s recommendation, a contract with Bruce Harris & Associates, Batavia, to upgrade the county’s GIS software at a cost not to exceed $7,000. Coe said the current software has been in use since 1996 and will become obsolete by March next year.
The new software should increase efficiency. The cost is covered by the GIS line item in the county budget.
BUDGET ADJUSTED FOR INSURANCE
On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, the board voted to increase the appropriation for health insurance premiums by $58,000 to cover an increase in insurance costs. The action increases the insurance appropriation in the current budget approved in August from $1,004,684.18 to $1,063,379.18.
The measure also increases the county’s budgeted revenue expectations by the same amount, making the increased expenditure “budget neutral,” according to Duncan. Duncan said revenue estimates used for the original budget appear to have increased.
The board voted last month to renew a policy with Blue Cross-Blue Shield with premium increase of nearly 20 percent. The premium increased from $946.75 per month to $1,049.35 for each employee. The county pays 90 percent of the premium for each of the county’s more than 190 employees.
SPECIAL SERVICE AREA AUDITS
The board voted unanimously to require Special Service Areas in the county to file their annual audits with the board’s General Administrative Committee. With few exceptions most local taxing bodies are required by state law to file appropriations, budgets and audits with county. The newly approved measure will also require Special Service Areas, providers of regional ambulance services, to also file their annual audits with the County Board.
Chairman Schmidt said the measure will ensure accountability on the part of Special Service Areas that collect local real estate taxes.
“You’re voting to accept these audits and place them on file,” Duncan advised before the vote.
Duncan said he has received audits from Special Service Area 1, serving Mount Olive; 2, serving Bunker Hill; 3, serving Staunton; and 4, serving Gillespie/Carlinville. Prairieland Ambulance Service Area 5, serving the Virden-Girard area, has not been audited since 2021 but reportedly will be audited for the past fiscal year.
SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE
By a unanimous vote, the board approved a long-awaited amended subdivision ordinance. States Attorney Jordan Garrison told the board that most of the changes were “clerical” changes to ensure the ordinance is congruent with state statutes.
The ordinance clarifies the definitions for major and minor subdivisions, and it places time restrictions on minor subdivision permits. The time restrictions for minor subdivisions are aimed at preventing developers from applying for successive minor subdivision permits to circumvent the permitting process for major subdivisions.
“We modified it to make sure there were temporal restrictions on minor subdivisions,” Garrison said.
The ordinance applies only to rural subdivisions that are not subject to municipal oversight. It generally describes major subdivisions as land divided into parcels of less than five acres, with improvements such as streets, sidewalks and utilities. For the most part, minor subdivisions are instances when a landowner wishes to divide a parcel in order for a family member to build a home.
COURTHOUSE HVAC
The board unanimously to spend $42,000 from the Capital Outlay fund to replace ceiling tiles in county offices on the ground floor of the courthouse. Building and Grounds Committee Chair Harry Starr told the board the existing tiles were removed as part of a year-long project to replace the HVAC system. The original plan was to reuse the removed tiles, but workers found that they were unsuitable for reuse.
“They’re old, they’re crumbling and some of them are nasty,” Starr said, adding that some of the tile were stained with water marks. The $42,000 will replace the tiles and the supporting grids. Starr suggested using the Capital Outlay fund to pay for the work in order to conserve the project’s contingency fund as the project nears completion.
In a related matter, the board gave the Building and Grounds Committee power to act on unexpected expenses as the HVAC project wraps up. The committee is restricted to a maximum of $10,000 per item.
“Things come up in the middle of the month when we are between meetings,” Starr said. The power to act provision will allow the committee to deal with unexpected expenses without having to wait for meeting of the full board.
APPOINTMENTS
The board approved the appointment of Jeffrey Sudduth to complete the unexpired term of of Kennedy Timpe expiring May 1, 2026, on the Scottville-Modesto Fire Protection District board. Timpe reportedly moved out of the district and could no longer serve on the panel.
The board also appointed Frank Schwab the the Macoupin County Housing Authority board to complete the term of Roger Kratochvil, whose term expires in August, 2027.
COURTHOUSE HOLIDAYS
The board unanimously approved a schedule of court-designated holidays during which the Courthouse will be closed. Schedule holidays for 2026 included: New Year’s Day, Thursday, Jan. 1; Martin Luther King Day, Monday, Jan. 18; Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 18; Memorial Day, Monday, May 25; Independence Day, Friday, July 3; Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7; Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 12; Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3; Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11; Thanksgiving Day holiday, Thursday and Friday, Nov. 25-26; Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24; Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25; and New Year’s Eve, Thursday, Dec. 31.
Comments
Members of the Benld City Council on Monday night approved two zoning variances for David Wycoff and Ben Maracacci but decline to override the Zoning Board’s decision to deny a petition for a zoning reclassification on the city’s east side.
Amanda Yeager appeared before the council, hoping the council would override the recommendation of the Benld Zoning Board regarding reclassification for a parcel of property on the east side of Illinois Route 138 across from the Cabin Bar and Restaurant. Yeager was referred to the Zoning Board in January after she appeared before the council hoping to have the parcel reclassified from residential to agricultural use. At that time, she told the council she wanted the property rezoned to make it more sellable. On Monday night, however, she indicated that she plans to build a house on the property a keep one to three farm animals—horses, goats and/or sheep.
Yeager pointed out that the property is surrounded by property already zoned for agricultural use. Two out of five property owners neighboring the Yeager property objected to the Zoning Board regarding the reclassification. One of those property owners, Yeager pointed, lives on property that already is zoned for agricultural used.
“It’s not a democratic process,” City Attorney Rick Vericchio explained. Even though a majority of the neighbors either supported or have no opinion on the matter, the Zoning Board could base its recommendation on other factors.
According to Yeager, some members of the Board told her privately after the hearing that if they had known about the number of neighbors who supported or had no objection, they would have voted to recommend reclassification.
“You want this council to override the Zoning Board?” Mayor Jim Kelly asked Yeager.
When Kelly called for a motion to reclassify the property, none of the aldermen responded. “I would need more information before I vote on this,” said Ald. Jerry Saracco. With no motion on the floor, the matter died.
Ald. Norm Emmons advised Yeager to reapply to the Zoning Board and restart the hearing process, after which the council could vote on the Board’s recommendation.
The council was unanimous in granting a zoning variance for Ben Marcacci to build duplexes on two of three lots at 311 W. Central Avenue, 208 West Spruce and 210 West Spruce. Marcacci reportedly plans to build a home on speculation on the third lot.
The council also was unanimous in granting a variance to David Wykoff to bring in a mobile home for 18 months while he builds a new home on 4.83 acres of property just off Cahokia Street. Wykoff said he will consult with the Macoupin County Department of Public Health to advise him on installing a septic system to service the new home.
In other housing action, the council voted unanimously to declare 206 South Second Street a public nuisance—a formality that authorizes the City Attorney to send a letter to the owners demanding they clean up the property within 60 days. The home reportedly is vacant and needs to have the grass mowed.
Council members also discussed an ongoing public nuisance case against property at 306 Park Avenue. Brian Komanetsky, owner of the house, is pursuing an eviction action against the occupant and has promised the city he will clean up the property once the tenant is removed. An eviction hearing is set for April 28.
“By our next meeting we’ll have a better handle on when she will be out,” Veritcchio advised. “Does he intend to clean it up? He says he does.”
STOP SIGN
On the recommendation of Ald. Dustin Fletcher, the council voted 5-1 to install a stop sign on Short Street at Willow Street. Fletcher said residents in the area complained about speeding vehicles on Short Street.
Ald. John Balzraine cast the single “no” vote.
ANNUAL AUDIT
The council gave the Mayor power to act to retain Scheffel Boyle Public Accountants to complete the city’s annual audit at a cost not to exceed $20,000. The accounting firm had not submitted a formal proposal before Monday night’s meeting. Last year, the audit was completed at a cost of $18,500.
City Clerk Terri Koyne reminded aldermen the firm already has been retained at a cost of $5,000 for a special audit of IDNR grant funds expended on building the new Benld Family Sports Complex.
CEJA PROJECT
Council members voted unanimously to spend about $5,000 in Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) grant money to install a new floor and paint in the former City Hall when the CEJA grant funds become available. The renovated space will be offered as a community meeting venue for civic group meetings.
GOLD STANDARD AWARD
Ald. Balzraine announced that the DeStefane Events Center was recognized as a Gold Standard award recipient by the Macoupin County Department of Public Health for compliance with food handling safety regulations. The Events Center was one of 33 recipients recognized by the Health Department.
Balzraine said Sue McCoy is in charge of ensuring the Events Center is in compliance and “she does a fantastic job.”
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FELONIES
Rusty S. Menge, 54 of Hettick, is charged with reckless discharging of a firearm in connection with an April 12 incident.
Brandon L. Allen, 41 of Port Orange, FL, is charged with two counts of unlawful commercial use of game ($500+), two counts of outfitting service without a permit, hunting on others land without permission, five counts of obtain license/revoked in a another state, using license issued to another, and loan/transfer license in connection to an April 16 incident.
Michelle D. Heaton, 51 of East Alton, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams) in connection with a December 14, 2025 incident.
Tanner L. Wolff, 24 of Litchfield, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams) in connection with a December 13, 2025 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Larry E. Conlee, 42 of Mount Clare, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee in connection with an April 11 incident.
Kenneth W. Bennett, 69 of Carlinville, is charged with violating an order of protection in connection with an April 14 incident.
Gregory A. Swift, 43 of Virden, is charged with heft of lost/mislaid property (<$500) in connection with an October 18, 2025 incident.
Brandon P. Bellm, 33 of Carlinville, is charged with battery/causing bodily harm in connection with a March 18 incident.
Joseph S. Augustine, 50 of Staunton, is charged with tossing/throwing a jackrock on property in connection with an April 14 incident.
TRAFFIC
Casey C. Trebing, 28 of Worden, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an April 10 incident.
Ayman Y. Omar, 51 of Lake Saint Louis, MO, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with an April 12 incident.
John M. Steward, 29 of Springfield, is charged with speeding 35+ mph over the limit in connection with an April 12 incident.
Kylie T. Hunter, 29 of Springfield, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with an April 12 incident.
Diana C. Hardison, 60 of Bunker Hill, is charged with driving on a revoked license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an April 12 incident.
Jimmy Monroe, 75 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a revoked license and improper traffic lane usage.
Richard A. Stuckey, 70 of Brighton, is charged with failure to notify of damage to an unattended vehicle in connection with an April 9 incident.
Camden G. Zumwalt, 18 of Staunton, is charged with speeding 35+ mph over the limit in connection with an April 14 incident.
Trinity A. Pruitt, 22 of Benld, is charged with unlawful possession of cannabis/driver and driving 1-10 mph above the limit.
Keith M. Steele, 27 of Auburn, is charged with speeding 35+ mph over the limit in connection with an April 11 incident.
Joshua D. Strode, 48 of Chatham, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an April 10 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Marshall Emery versus Maurissa Emery
- Coltan Milton versus Chelsea Milton
- Micah Gotter versus Pamela Gotter
- Katie Ritter versus Thomas Ritter
- James A. Donaldson versus Cheryl A. Donaldson
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- Cristopher C. Miller and Yvonne M. Rendon, both of Carlinville.
- Earl W. Tiepelman and Maria J. Goth, both of Mount Olive
- Phillip L. Randazzo and Trisden M. Haggett, both of Gillespie.
- Christopher T. Bertolis and Jordan R. Ryan, both of Mount Olive.
- Robert A. Lee and Dawn M. Hilderbrand, both of Maryville.
- Jason T. Daube and Jamie M. Goble, both of Brighton.
- Gabriel E. Bliss and Grace A. Hobson, both of Virden.
- Matthew G. Weidner of Bunker Hill and Claire A. Wilton of Carlinville
- Michelle L. Dettwiler of Litchfield and Heather N. Geary of Vine Grove, Kentucky
- Hunter Gl. Niemann of Litchfield and Hannah M. Ward of Pawnee
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SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Spruce Street in reference to a traffic crash.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to found property.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of South Street in Benld in reference to a noise complaint.
An officer was dispatched to Park Street and South Trolley Street in Benld in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to Fillmore Street and Burton Street in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Shelby Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Central in Benld in reference to a medical issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South 1st Street in Benld in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 2300 block of Staunton Road in Mt. Clare in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of 2nd Street in Benld in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of West Central in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of South Mt. Olive Road in Eagarville in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Walnut Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to Spruce Street and 5th Street in Benld in reference to a well-being check.
MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2026
The school resource officer was dispatched to the Gillespie High School Office in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to the Gillespie High School in the 600 block of Broadway Street in reference to a traffic crash.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Litchfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to illegal dumping.
Douglas D. Davis, 59 of Benld, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for driving while license revoked.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Francis Street in reference to criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Central Avenue in Benld in reference to a battery.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of East Elm Street in reference to criminal trespass.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Kentucky Street and Central Avenue in Benld. A 16 year old male from Benld was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of North Francis Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to fraud in the 600 block of Gillespie Street.
TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2026
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Hard Road and Dorsey Road in Benld. Camden G. Zumwalt, 18 of Staunton, was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer was dispatched to the 1400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Charles Street in reference to harassment.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Park Avenue in reference to illegal parking.
An officer was dispatched to Dorsey Street and Hard Road in Benld in reference to a well-being check.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to to harassment in the 300 block of East Maple Street.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Central Avenue in Benld in reference to a security check.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of North Main Street in Benld in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of West Pine Street in reference to a well-being check.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Park Street in Benld in reference to a well-being check.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Staunton Road and Henrietta Street. Lester W. Harvill, 56 of Benld, was arrested for improper lane usage and driving under the influence.
Catherine A. Brister, 50 of Staunton, was arrested on a Calhoun County warrant for failure to appear for violation of a court order.
An officer spoke with a male at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to to harassment.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Harding Avenue in East Gillespie in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Stemmi Street in Wilsonville to assist the Macoupin County Sheriff Department.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to juvenile issue on Dorsey Road in Mt. Clare.
An officer spoke with an officer at Gillespie Police Department in reference to harassment on Fries Lane at Gillespie Lake.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Harding Avenue in East Gillespie in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Litchfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to illegal dumping
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of North 6th Street in Benld in reference to a 911 call.
THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2026
An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a female in reference to child abuse.
An officer was dispatched to the Gillespie Police Department to speak with a female in reference to a child custody issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of West Osie Street in reference to criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to Staunton Road and Illinois Avenue in East Gillespie in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Harding Avenue in East Gillespie in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of LJ Avenue in reference to a wellbeing check.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Maple Street and Jersey Street. Amy L. Vollintine, 31 of Sorento, was issued a citation for suspended registration.
An officer was dispatched to Benld City Garage in reference to criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to Walnut Street and Kentucky Street in Benld in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of East Central in Benld in reference to criminal trespass.
FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of East Chestnut Street in Benld in reference to a traffic crash.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Harding Avenue in East Gillespie in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Henrietta Street in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Harding Avenue in East Gillespie in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Berry Street in Mt. Clare in reference to juvenile issues.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of North 5th Street in Benld in reference to a civil issue.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Broadway Street and Oregon Street. Daniel L. Harpole, 31 of Brighton, was issued a citation for speeding.
The school resource officer was dispatched to Ben-Gil Elementary School in reference to an issue with a parent.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of East Elm Street with an Alderman in reference to an ordinance issue.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue in the 600 block of West Osie Street.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Harding Avenue in East Gillespie in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was out at a business in the 400 block of East Central in Benld speaking with a male in reference to suspended registration.
SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2026
John E. Wenzel, 74 of Mt. Clare, was issued citations for driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident in the 300 block of North Macoupin Street.
An officer assisted Macoupin County Sheriff Department at South 4th Street and East Spruce Street in Benld.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North Hard Road in Benld in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of East Locust Street in Benld in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to Meadowlark Drive in Benld in reference to unwanted solicitors.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of North 5th Street in Benld in reference to neighborhood issues.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to a security check.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of Western Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South 5th Street in Benld in reference to a 911 call.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
