Community News
Maple Street Clinic hosts open house and ribbon cutting
Provides services for uninsured, poor
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin cuts the ribbon.
The health department will held an open house Saturday, August 4 to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the school-linked health center that preceded the Maple Street Clinic. A ribbon-cutting at 11 a.m., attended by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., recognized the clinic’s certification as a federally qualified health center.
Maple Street, operated by the Macoupin County Health Department, has become an outpatient medical and dental home for thousands of low-income and uninsured people in Macoupin and surrounding counties, including Sangamon, since it opened in 2008.
Mike Mathis explained that this clinic will enrich the lives and health of not only this county, but surrounding counties as well.
Federal funding that began to flow recently to the clinic positions the facility to grow in the future as more people gain access to health insurance through the federal Affordable Care Act.
“The one thing that will make this place successful,” Kent Tarro opened, “is the transportation. If anyone needs a ride here, we bring them here. If they cannot pay, that is fine.” Kent Tarro is the administrator of the clinic. Tarro was referring the Macoupin County Public Transportation that provides resident in Macoupin County the option to travel anywhere within the county.
This is an amazing clinic, Durbin explained. “There were over 800 applicants fighting for this clinic nationally and Gillespie won. If you go inside, you will see why. I have been in clinics in Chicago, all over the state, and none better.” He went on to add that the Clinic is averaging 100,000 dental visits in one month. “There is a dramatic need for quality dental and healthcare,” Durbin added.
The democratic U.S. Senator went on to add that this clinic is a result of the Healthcare Reform Act, Obama Care. “We are going to continue to open these clinics across America, so people and communities like this have an option for an outstanding clinic like this. It will help families out and keep their cost down, it is good for America.”
“Durbin has always been a friend of Macoupin County,” Mike Mathis added. “We won this through this man here.” Mathis, speaking on behalf of Andy Manar, explained that this clinic will enrich the lives and health of not only this county, but surrounding counties as well. “I cannot be more proud and Macoupin County cannot be more proud, thank you so much.”
“We try to prevent health problems,” said Kent Tarro, administrator of the health department.
The concept of a health department-operated clinic emerged from a long-term plan in 1996. The plan set goals for addressing Macoupin County’s “real lack of medical care, dental care, counseling services and transportation,” Tarro said.
Durbin explained that Gillespie won the contest out of 800 national applicants.
The medical/dental clinic initially operated out of two other locations in Gillespie and Litchfield. The medical clinic focused almost entirely on children because the Macoupin department, in search of funding, was able to get initial state grants for a “school-linked” health center, Tarro said.
With grants from the Illinois Department of Human Services, the health department has sent doctors, dentists and other health professionals to the Gillespie, Carlinville, Bunker Hill and Piasa Southwestern districts to conduct physicals and other exams.
When the clinic is up and running, Tarro said they will have nearly 7,000 patients as he has patients traveling from Pittsfield and Alton. “Most of our clients are from the Litchfield and Hillsboro area while we have about 800 patients from Gillespie,” Tarro added. The numbers of town and people just keep growing, according to Tarro.
One thing Tarro started when they first opened was counseling services. The counseling works side by side with the medical team, he added. “It is something that has helped us.” Tarro went on to say that this building brings together comprehensive health services that is serving over 4,000 people now and should be up to 7,000 in the next year due to the federal funding.
“The demand is something we were not expecting,” Tarro closed. “The last four months have been purely fantastic as we provide care to people to St. Clair, Jersey, Greene, Christian, and Montgomery county. We serve about 15 counties and our success story will last for years.”
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SPRINGFIELD — Lincoln Land Community College has announced its full-time and part-time President’s and Vice President’s lists for the spring 2025 semester. Part-time students are enrolled in six to 11 credit hours while full-time students are enrolled in 12 or more credit hours.
Students who earned a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) are noted with an asterisk and earned President’s list honors. Students who earned between a GPA of 3.5-3.99 earned Vice President’s list honors. The excerpt below features Macoupin County students.
FULL-TIME STUDENTS
Bunker Hill – Logan R. Helling
Carlinville – Reid P. Evans*, Brody M. Reif
Gillespie – Maris E. Brill, Austin L. Grace*
Girard – Max Allen*, Katie Angulo*, Mick B. Downs*, Josh Hagerman, Reed Lewis, Michael S. Prose*
Mount Olive – Jakobb E. Brown*, Georgia G. Kampwerth
Palmyra – Alexis R. Bowman*
Staunton – Paige N. Horstmeyer*, Michael J. Matesa*, Lauren R. Mathis, Brandon Mo
Virden – Zorah E. Austin*, Michaeh N. Barnhouse*, Maddie Carver, Jackson R. Pierce*, Morgan C. Snell*, Grant M. Strickler, Courtney N. Ulinski*
PART-TIME STUDENTS
Benld – Christopher Young*
Carlinville – Alex C. Nance*, Jerry D. Nance Jr.*
Gillespie – Jessica L. Tiek*
Girard – Lindsey J. Ferguson*, Jackson R. Henke*, Natalie Moriconi*
Mount Olive – Kara A. Harmon*, Justin D. O’Neill*, Hayden Wylder*
Virden – Candace L. Carlile*, Lillian M. Carlile*, Natalie M. Little*, Josie P. Patterson, Luciano Pierce*
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The 2:18 Missions Team, a dedicated local outreach group based in Gillespie, is excited to announce its upcoming cookout fundraiser to support its community initiatives. The event will take place on Saturday, June 21st, at Randy’s Market in Benld.
From approximately 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., community members are invited to enjoy delicious homemade food while supporting a worthy cause. The menu will feature pork chops, pork burgers, hot dogs, and refreshing water — perfect for a summer day of good food and fellowship.
“All proceeds from this event will go directly toward our mission efforts to serve and uplift our community,” said a spokesperson for 2:18 Missions Team. “We’re grateful for the support of our neighbors and look forward to seeing everyone there!”
Come out to Randy’s Market in Benld on June 21st to enjoy a tasty meal, support local endeavors, and connect with others in the community.
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CARLINVILLE, IL – On June 14th, concerned citizens are invited to join a coalition of grassroots organizations to nonviolently protest in front of the Macoupin County Courthouse at 201 E. Main St. in Carlinville, IL, from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. This protest is one of over 1,400 protests taking place nationwide with millions of participants as part of the NO KINGS National Day of Action and mass mobilization in response to the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration.
Trump’s unconstitutional actions include suppressing free speech, detaining people for their political positions, deporting American citizens, defying the courts, and much more – all while enriching himself and his billionaire allies.
“Now Donald Trump is planning a military parade in Washington, D.C. on June 14th. This display of might is intended to intimidate opponents and solidify his image as a strongman, while paying for it with taxpayer dollars.”, said Kelley Hatlee, a volunteer organizer with the Macoupin County 50501and Indivisible movements. “Instead of allowing this military parade to be the center of attention, the NO KINGS nationwide protests make action everywhere else the story of America on June 14th: people coming together in communities across the country to reject strongman politics and corruption.”, said Hatlee.
“We’re showing up together as neighbors, friends, and fellow community members to say NO to authoritarianism and yes to a government that serves everyone,” said Chelsa Pruden, a volunteer organizer with Macoupin PRIDE and Macoupin County 50501 and Indivisible. “We’re tired of watching powerful people trample our rights and our voices. This protest is about reminding everyone, especially those in power, that real strength comes from the people.”
Participants are encouraged to make protest signs that convey their personal messages. Packaged, nonperishable food items will be accepted for donation to local food pantries to help low-income families who will be hit hardest by Trump’s policies.
The NO KINGS protest in Carlinville is organized by a volunteer coalition of the Macoupin PRIDE and the Macoupin County 50501 and Indivisible grassroots movements. The coalition has created a Facebook page titled “Macoupin County 50501 and Indivisible” for concerned citizens to follow.
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Beleagured board chairman responds to critics as County Board prepares to start budgeting process
Benld Italian-American Days to celebrate 71st Anniversary over Memorial Day weekend
