Community News
Pete Duncan updated the Rotary on County news
Voter maintenance really helps
The Area Rotary met in a regular meeting on Tuesday, January 17th at Toni’s Restaurant in Benld. Pete Duncan, the county clerk for Macoupin County, updated the Rotary on the redistricting and the upcoming election.
Pete Duncan, who resides in Gillespie, kept it short and sweet for the Rotary members Tuesday. Duncan opened with redistricting, where is it mandated to be completed every 10 years after a census has been done. “It is the redrawing of district lines for representatives based on population,” Duncan opened.
Recalling the 2010 census, Duncan explained that it was just completed last year and this upcoming election will be the first election in which the new district lines will be in use.
Pete Duncan explained that the new districts are much simpler than they were previously.
To start, Macoupin County is going from the 17th district to the 13th district. “The whole county and every township will change,” Duncan clarified. That is the simple part, according to Duncan. The county is going to go from Bobby Schilling, the current representative for the 17th district, to Tim Johnson. Johnson is the current member in the 13th district, but is up for reelection, so it is possible if that changes.
In terms of the state senate level, Macoupin County has been in the 49th district for decades while having just one state senator. Our current state senator is Sam McCann and for the first time starting with this election, Macoupin County will be “split.”
Gillespie and Benld will be in the 48th district which currently does not have a member. Two candidates are vying for the position right now, Duncan noted. Duncan went on to say that the cut is on township lines this decade and “is very clean.” Sometimes they have gone down the middle of the street Duncan stated, where a neighbor across the street is living in a different district than I am.
The state representative level basically goes on township lines too on the older map until you get down to Brighton and Shipman where it splits the township a little bit. The new map, under the redistricting, got cleaned up too and will just use district lines too this decade.
“It is very unusual [to use township lines],” Duncan explained, “As our county is one of the few in the entire state to do that.” It is definitely a plus for our county, according to county clerk Pete Duncan.
Duncan then moved on to the county level where the county chose to keep the same districts. Meaning Gillespie and Benld would still either be in the 4th or 5th district. The county did change the number of members per district. Originally being with three members per district, the county board cut it back to just two members to save the tax payers some dollars. “So now instead of having 27 members, we now only have 18,” Duncan explained. “Starting next December.”
The entire county board will up on the next election, all 18 positions. In certain conditions, there will be three incumbents running for two spots which “will make things a little more edgy.”
The other thing Duncan touched on during his short time at the Rotary was voter maintenance. “This is where we mail out new voter cards to every registered voter in the county,” Duncan opened, “We did this back in November.” Duncan explained that this process is very important because the county gains knowledge about a deceased voter or if someone has moved out of the county. Through this mailing, the county can update the voting role and update the current information.
For example, during the last election is April which was townships and school boards, the county had 34,000 voters. After the voter maintenance, the county is down to 30,000 voters. The only thing this means is there should be a shorter time voting and checking in because less people are showing up at polls and there is less paperwork for the election judge to sort through to find someone.
From the last census, the county has a total population of 36,970 eligible voters out of 47,000 people. “This number is extremely close and almost 93% of the number of registered voters we had back in April,” Duncan noted. In a normal year during a presidential election, Macoupin County has 23,000-25,000 registered voters that vote.
Having 30,000 voters overall, “it lines up pretty well because you are never going to have 100% turn out.” The voter maintenance had made sure that it is easier to vote on election day, for one, and the voter rolls are more accurate than they have been in quite some time.
Duncan went on to say that the state board set up a website that keeps track of movements in and out of the county. The website will pick up if someone has registered in another county and sends a notice out if that voter is registered in any other county. “It is not the best system, but it helps out a lot,” Duncan explained.
The biggest problem faced by Duncan and Macoupin County is deaths out of the county. “If someone dies at a hospital in St. Louis, their death certificate is filed there and we never see it unless a family member brings it to us. If they bring it to us, we can take them off the voter rolls. If they don’t, we will never know anyone passed away until we do voter maintenance,” Duncan closed.
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FELONIES
Bradley W. Crane, 47 of Brighton, is charged with aiding/abetting/possession of a stolen vehicle in connection with a December 28, 2024 incident.
Donavon M. Holmes, 24 of Benld, is charged with felon in possession of a weapon in connection with a March 11 incident.
Natosha L. Michaelis, 39 of Carlinville, is charged with two counts of forgery/making/altering a document in connection with a February 10 incident.
Bradley S. Watters, 36 of Carlinville, is charged with aggravated battery in a public place in connection with a March 12 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Anita S. Grizzle, 49 of Gillespie, is charged with unlawful possession of a knife in connection with a March 9 incident.
Tonya L. Pfeiler, 43 of Carlinville, is charged with theft control/intent (<$500) in connection with a March 1 incident.
Timothy A. Dugger, 23 of Palmyra, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with a January 29 incident.
Dalton W. Branham, 27 of Springfield, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with a January 23 and January 29 incident.
Crystal A. Holland, 50 of Carlinville, is charged with disorderly conduct in connection with a January 18 incident.
Bruce A. Day, 59 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal trespass to a building in connection with a February 13 incident.
Mark B. Bersch, 68 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal trespass to a building in connection with February 4 incident.
Robert D. Lindsey, 36 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal damage to property (<$500) in connection with a March 3 incident.
Thomas W. Gray, 35 of Carlinville, is charged with disorderly conduct in connection with a February 26 incident.
Ronnie E. Reyes, 40 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with a March 13 incident.
TRAFFIC
Bethany E. Robinson, 27 of Carlinville, is charged with drivers license expired more than a year, passing a school bus while loading/unloading, and improper traffic lane usage in connection with a February 27 incident.
Timothy R. Galston, 46 of Harvey, is charged with driving on a revoked license and driving 11-14 mph above the limit in connection with a March 2 incident.
Hector R. Herrera Pena, 39 of Guadalupe, NL, is charged with CDL not obtained in connection with a March 4 incident.
Stephen L. Barrick, 50 of Virden, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a March 2 incident.
Kyle L. Stiltz, 32 of Virden, is charged with leaving the scene of an accident, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and no valid registration in connection with a February 28 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Angela M. Berndt versus Travis E. Berndt
- Melissa K. Porter versus Kevin W. Porter
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Bunker Hill – Zion Lutheran Church in Bunker Hill is excited to announce a rummage sale taking place on Thursday, March 20, Friday, March 21, and Saturday, March 22. The sale will be held at the church located at 609 East Warren Street in Bunker Hill. All proceeds from the sale will be donated to Illinois Valley Meals on Wheels in Macoupin County, a vital program that prepares and delivers over 1,500 meals daily to those in need across three counties.
Donations for the rummage sale are warmly welcomed and can be dropped off at the church’s north entrance starting Monday, March 17. Items of all kinds are appreciated, and your contributions will directly support the dedicated efforts of volunteers who ensure that nutritious meals reach our community members.
The sale will run from 4 to 8 PM on Thursday and then 8 AM to 4 PM on Friday and Saturday, making it convenient for everyone to stop by and find great deals while supporting a crucial service in our area.
For more information about the rummage sale or how to donate, please contact Jane Baker at 618-973-2666.
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FELONIES
Bryer D. Greff, 30 of Virden, is charged with retail theft (<$300) with a previous conviction in connection to a March 1 incident.
Michael J. Weaver, 34 of Carlinville, is charged with methamphetamine delivery (400<900 grams), possession of methamphetamine (400<900 grams), and felon in possession of a weapon in connection with a March 3 incident.
Patrick D. Greer, 39 of Mount Olive, is charged with burglary and theft/unauthorized control (>500<10k) in connection with a January 23 and March 3 incident .
Brian H. Duff, 50 of Alton, is charged with theft/unauthorized control (>500<10k) in connection with a January 30 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Allison S. Cisco, 18 of Carlinville, is charged with battery/causing bodily harm in connection with a March 1 incident.
Andrew C. London, 19 of Wilsonville, is charged with retail theft (<$300) in connection with a March 5 incident.
Shelby L. Veach, 23 of Staunton, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee and criminal damage to property in connection with a December 16 and December 21 incident.
Robert J. Zumwalt, 43 of Livingston, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee in connection with a December 21 incident.
TRAFFIC
Andrew J. McDaniel, 56 of Littleton, CO, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a February 23 incident.
Connor E. O’Brien, 25 of Riverside, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a February 24 incident.
Anthony M. Reed, 29 of Fayette, MS, is charged with driving on a suspended license and driving 15-20 mph above the limit in connection with a February 22 incident.
Patrick M. Nejmanowski, 58 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a revoked license and driving 21-25 mph above the limit in connection with a February 25 incident.
Michael A. Coates, 49 of Staunton, is charged with driving on a revoked license and operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration in connection with a February 16 incident.
Carl R. Albracht, 50 of Palmyra, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a February 25 incident.
Jessica M. Jenkins, 40 of Gillespie, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a February 24 incident.
Jason L. Peter, 48 of Carlinville, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a February 22 incident.
Matthew D. Knick, 21 of Mount Olive, is charged with driving on suspended license in connection with a February 27 incident.
Julia A. Schall, 68 of Shipman, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with a February 27 incdient.
Amy N. Gomer, 39 of Shipman, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a March 4 incident.
Dalton C. Bunyard, 32 of Wood River, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a February 28 incident.
Edward Tumpach III, 33 of Hillsboro, is charged with reckless driving, improper traffic lane usage, and disregarding a traffic control device in connection with a March 5 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Neil Ringer versus Whitney Ringer
- Christina Essington versus John Essington
- Scott Huddleston versus Jessica Huddleston
Comments
Zion Lutheran School to host open house on March 18 for preschool and kindergarten programs
Illinois Farm Bureau to host ‘Rules for the Road’ trucking seminar in Carlinville on March 20
