Community News
New Wilsonville trustee, residents want action on delinquent properties
An image of one of the referred properties. (Contributed photo/Wilsonville Freedom of Speech)
Two new and two returning trustees, along with the former treasurer and president reelected, were all sworn into office during the Village of Wilsonville’s monthly board meeting held last Monday, May 4. Despite the lengthy agenda without delinquent properties listed as a topic of discussion, one trustee was quick to bring up the topic after notifying the board that his only objective behind running for office was to clean the village.
One trustee in particular and multiple residents in the audience want action taken for landowners with run-down property inside the village limits. The trustee with the most interest is one of the newest members of the board – Bob Carr. Along with Carr, David Day and incumbent Deno Filippini were sworn into 4-year terms last week.
Incumbents John Veres, Tracey Willhoit and Annetta Veres were also sworn into office last week to serve a 2-year trustee seat, treasurer seat and president seat, respected, after the candidates won the consolidated election held in April.
Residents Dave Delaurent and Mark Besserman used every second of their allotted three-minute period to address the council during the public recognition portion of the meeting. The pair had similar interests as they each addressed “eye-sore” properties on Wilson Street and Sawyer Street.
Besserman complained that materials from the torn down structure on 201 Wilson Street are being transferred to 215 Wilson Street. “The EPA states it is illegal dumping when material [is transferred to another property],” Besserman explained. “It is against the law. When is it going to get cleaned up?”
[pullquote]These two guys are making a mockery of the town and it’s time for us to do something. It’s been going on way too long.[/pullquote]Similarly, Delaurent expressed interest about the properties on Wilson Street and questioned why the council would spend $9,000 in legal fees to take ownership of an identified property on Wilson Street, but then returned ownership back to the previous owner who has made little demolition progress. “The city paid for dumpsters for that property and also threw $9,000 out the window in legal fees,” Delaurent said. “The homeowner hasn’t demolished the property in proper time.”
He continued by notifying the village Delaurent Construction will donate their time to demolish any property the village owns in Wilsonville in hopes of making the village a better place to live. “I’m one of the few businesses that pay taxes in this village and we need to get some of these houses torn down,” DeLaurent continued.
Trustees David Day, Bobby Carr and John Veres being sworn into office.
Trustee Bob Carr suggested the village implement a strict time period to clean residences. “I say we give [Allen Amos] 30 days to clean his two properties on Wilson or we start fining him. There are other property owners too,” Carr said during the closing minutes of the meeting. “This is the only reason I ran for office. These two guys are making a mockery of the town and it’s time for us to do something. It’s been going on way too long.”
President Annetta Veres agreed with Carr saying no one wants the town cleaned up more than she does and the $9,000 legal fees incurred by the village referred to by Delaurent took place before she was elected president. Veres said the village couldn’t instate the 30-day cleanup period last week since it wasn’t on the agenda, but she said it will absolutely be on the agenda for the June meeting.
Old Business
The Wilsonville Senior Citizen group reported they raised $1,250 during the chili and soup fundraiser held on April 11 and with the $500 match from the village, the final amount raised was $1,750. The proceeds are going to be used for table and chairs for the community center.
President Veres reported that she could not find the title for the Crown Victoria police car and explained she was going to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to acquire one. The village put the police car out for bids two months ago, but denied the only bid received for the car last month citing it was too low.
New Business
President Veres said the board needs to address the community center agreement in terms of cleaning and deposits. “We need to come up with ideas as far as cleaning or a proper fee for not cleaning, then we need to decide where the cleaning fee goes,” she explained. She turned over agreements from surrounding communities to Bob Carr, head of parks and public grounds, to address during his committee meeting. The board will revisit the topic next month.
Veres continued by saying the Village of Wilsonville will be first on Fleming & Tawfall’s list for the annual audit. She said the audit will tentatively begin on June 1.
Lastly, she said she contacted Illinois Rural Water Association (IRWA) and Ameren. IRWA is going to come out with cameras to run the line regarding the sinking tile on Marcia and Dean while Ameren offers an energy efficiency work program. She explained the Ameren program helps replace older lighting with efficient alternatives and the Wilsonville Community Center is first on the list.
Upcoming dates:
May 16: Veteran’s Caravan will be held with an expected arrival time of 11:30 a.m. in Wilsonville.
May 16: WCO Bingo Fundraiser starting at 1p.m. at the community center.
May 26: All committees meeting.
June 1: Regular business monthly meeting.
June 13: Out of school dance will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. at the community center.
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In a decisive finish that underscored his rising dominance in Illinois Class 1A cross country, senior Chaz Oberkfell of Gillespie High School claimed the state title with a time of 14:31.10 at the IHSA State Cross Country Championships held at Detweiller Park on Saturday, November 8.
Finishing just behind Oberkfell, sophomore Evan Knobloch of Toulon (Stark County) crossed the line in 14:46.25, placing second. Rounding out the top five were senior Blake McLeese of Tuscola (14:46.45), senior Luca Bryja of Elgin (Harvest Christian Academy) with 14:48.38, and senior Elijah Teefey of Pleasant Plains at 14:49.02.
This victory marks Oberkfell’s second IHSA Class 1A state championship. He also won the state crown as a junior in 2024 with a time of 14:31.87. In his sophomore year, he finished 21st with a 15:21.43 season-best time.
Looking ahead, Oberkfell is set to compete in the New Balance NXR Midwest Regional Championships on Sunday, November 16, at the LaVerne Gibson Course in Indiana. The meet serves as a critical stepping stone toward the national championships, and Oberkfell will look to carry his state momentum into the regional stage.
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The community is invited to participate in a family-friendly, drive-thru charity event aimed at keeping local students warm this winter. The “Warm Up Our Kids” drive-thru takes place on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Karmak Campus, located at 1 Karmak Plaza, Carlinville, IL and is sponsored by Karmak and Carlinville Area Hospital and Clinics.
Additional drop-off boxes will be available at the following locations to maximize participation and convenience:
- Sullivans in Carlinville, Gillespie, and Litchfield
- Pharmacy Plus in Girard
- Sav-Mor Pharmacy in Virden
- CAH&C Clinic sites in Gillespie, Girard, Carlinville, and Virden
- Briar Rose in Litchfield
- Brave Hazel in Carlinville
- Oh-So Cute Boutique in Virden
Drive through the event route and drop off much-needed supplies listed below. All donations will directly benefit students in the participating school districts, helping ensure every child has the warmth and essentials they need to face the winter season. Community support help bridge gaps and bring tangible, immediate relief to families in need.
Join us in spreading warmth and goodwill this December. The Ben Gil Post and community partners look forward to seeing you at the Karmak Campus drive-thru.
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A Macoupin County jury found Jeffrey D. Brown, 50, of Sawyerville guilty of aggravated battery with a firearm in connection with the shooting death of Rodney Messerly, 42, also of Sawyerville, authorities said.
The verdict was delivered a little before 6 p.m. on November 4, 2025, after a days-long trial led by Macoupin County State’s Attorney Jordan J. Garrison. Brown now faces a mandatory prison sentence ranging from six to 30 years with the sentence to be served at 85 percent. The sentencing will take place on January 12, 2025.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, the incident unfolded on September 17, 2024, when Brown called 911 claiming Messerly had entered his home. Responding deputies found Messerly deceased on the front stoop outside the residence. Brown testified that Messerly had forced his way into the home, and he fired in self-defense inside the residence.
Surveillance video played to the jury depicted portions of the confrontation: Messerly speaking with Brown at the door outside the residence before Messerly pushes inside—off-camera for a stretch—followed by four gunshots fired from within the home. Messerly is seen falling back onto the front steps.
A video interview of Brown with Lt. Ryan Dixon of the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department revealed Brown stated he took three steps back inside the residence before firing the initial shots. Forensic pathologist Dr. Nathanial Patterson testified that the first four shots would have been fatal. Approximately seven seconds pass before Brown fires a final shot from inside the residence, striking Messerly in the chest as he yells an expletive.
Garrison offered condolences to Messerly’s family, calling the incident a “horrible situation” and noting that the healing process is just beginning for those affected. He described Messerly as having been experiencing delusions at the time of the incident and emphasized that the last shot was not in self-defense, characterizing it as an act of vengeance.
Brown faces additional charges in unrelated matters: Armed Violence (Class X felony) and Production of Cannabis Plants (Class 4) in 2024CF228, and Resisting Arrest Causing Injury to an Officer in 2024CF252.
Public sentencing is scheduled for January 12, 2025. Prosecutors cautioned readers that charges are not proof of guilt and that Brown is presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law.
