Community News
Over 100 gathered for Live Nativity at Griffel Farm
More than 100 people gathered at the Griffel Farm for the area’s live nativity scene. The event, held last Sunday, was hosted by the Gillespie United Methodist Church, Gillespie First Christian Church and Zion Lutheran Church Mt. Olive.
The event opened inside a garage at Griffel’s Farm with hot drinks and snacks. Gillespie United Methodist Church pastor Steven Friese welcomed the crowd and opened the night in prayer, then Art Roemer, pastor of Gillespie First Christian Church, led the crowd in four songs entitled “Christmas Bells”, “The First Noel”, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and “O Little Town of Bethlehem”.
Three youngsters from Gillespie United Methodist Church introduced the symbols of Christmas and explained what each symbol meant and then Joe and Teresa Cline introduced the advent candles before Pastor Roemer read scripture.
Following the scripture reading, Colin Caveny abruptly entered the garage to welcome everyone to see baby Jesus. The crowd followed Caveny, who was dressed as a shepherd, to the stable outfitted with animals, hay and wooden walls. The crowd watched and listened as Alex Easton sang “The Little Drummer Boy” and Pastor Ben Flore provided a spiritual message.
The crowd then sang Silent Night in unison before Pastor Dennis Hill closed the evening in prayer. Attendees were welcomed to remain at the stable or move back into the warm shed for refreshments. Youngsters were invited to feed the animals that lined the pathway to the stable.
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SPRINGFIELD, IL, – Macoupin County has been issued a final property assessment equalization factor of 1.0000, according to David Harris, director of the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR).
The property assessment equalization factor, often called the “multiplier,” is the method used to achieve uniform property assessments among counties, as required by law. This equalization is particularly important because some of the state’s 6,600 local taxing districts overlap into two or more counties (e.g., school districts, junior college districts, fire protection districts). If there was no equalization among counties, substantial inequities among taxpayers with comparable properties would result.
Under a law passed in 1975, property in Illinois should be assessed at one-third (1/3) of its market value. Farm property is assessed differently with farm homesites and dwellings subject to regular assessing and equalization procedures. Farmland is assessed at one-third of its agriculture economic value and not subject to the state equalization factor.
Assessments in Macoupin County are at 33.17% of market value, based on sales of properties in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
The equalization factor currently being assigned is for 2025 taxes, payable in 2026.
Last year’s equalization factor for the county was 1.0000.
The final assessment equalization factor was issued after a public hearing on the tentative factor. The tentative factor issued on 08-Jan-2026 was 1.0000.
The equalization factor is determined annually for each county by comparing the price of individual properties sold over the past three years to the assessed value placed on those properties by the county supervisor of assessments/county assessor.
If the three-year average level of assessment is one-third of the market value, the equalization factor will be one (1). If the average level of assessment is greater than one-third of market value, the equalization factor will be less than one (1). And if the average level of assessment is less than one-third of market value, the equalization factor will be greater than one (1).
A change in the equalization factor does not mean total property tax bills will increase or decrease. Tax bills are determined by local taxing bodies when they request money each year to provide services to local citizens. If the amount requested by local taxing districts is not greater than the amount received in the previous year, then total property taxes will not increase even if assessments increase.
The assessed value of an individual property determines what portion of the tax burden a specific taxpayer will assume. That individual’s portion of tax responsibility is not changed by the multiplier.
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The Benld Public Library will host two Illinois state service events, providing convenient access to essential resources for area residents.
On Tuesday, May 5, the Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias Mobile Driver Services Unit will be on-site at the library. Services available will include written and road tests, driver’s license renewals, issuance and renewal of state identification cards, and the purchase of license plate stickers. No reservations are required. Please note that payment will be accepted by credit card or check only; cash will not be accepted.
Additionally, on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., staff from Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ Office will be available to assist residents through the I-Cash program. This service helps individuals locate and claim unclaimed property or missing money.
Both events will take place at the Benld Public Library, located at 308 East Central Avenue. The facility is accessible from both the parking lot and street parking.
For more information, please contact the Benld Public Library at 217-835-4045. Reservations are not required for either event.
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LITCHFIELD, Ill. — The HSHS St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary will sponsor a drive-thru dinner on Monday, May 11 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. to support the hospital’s Family Maternity Center.
The meal will feature a grilled pork chop, loaded mashed potatoes, glazed carrots and a roll prepared by Nelson’s Catering of Springfield plus a dessert provided by the Auxiliary. Cost per meal is $15.
Dinners must be ordered by noon on Monday, May 4. Orders can be placed online at stfrancis-litchfield.org/dinners, or at the hospital gift shop. The drive-thru dinner pickup will take place in front of the main hospital entrance.
“We are excited to be continuing this series of drive-thru dinners that provide a convenient opportunity to take home a delicious meal while supporting our hospital’s Family Maternity Center and its patients,” shared Gwen Barcum, St. Francis Hospital’s Auxiliary President.
Additional drive-thru dinners with various menus will take place on June 8, July 13, Aug. 10, Sept. 14 and Oct. 12.
For more information, visit stfrancis-litchfield.org/events or call Gwen Barcum at 217-324-8678.
