Community News
Residents seek water quality answers from Gillespie City Council
With upward of 60 residents crowded into the Gillespie Civic Center, city officials tried to allay concerns over the city’s water supply and warned that correcting the issues will take time. The hour-long confrontation took place during the regular meeting of the city council on Monday night.
Residents complained about discolored water coming from their taps, particularly in recent weeks. Several brought water samples they claimed were collected from their taps, as well as soiled water filters that they said were evidence the city’s water supply is unsafe to drink. “Would you drink this?” one man angrily demanded, holding up a plastic water bottle filled with water the color of cola.
Water Plant Operator David Pickett told the crowd the most recent problems resulted from an equipment failure over the July 4th holiday weekend which resulted in overfeeding potassium permanganate to treat water.
“Our analyzer machine quit,” he said. “This was over the Fourth of July weekend.” The analyzer is used to test treated water samples to determine whether or not adjustments need to be made in the quantities and types of chemicals being added to treat the water. Pickett said he tried calling the manufacturer of the equipment but got no answer.
“There were no answers,” he said. “We were flying blind.”
“Are there any answers now?” another resident demanded.
Pickett said he eventually was able to borrow a loaner unit from the Staunton Water Department but, by that time, several million gallons had been over treated and moved out of the plant. “Unfortunately, we could not shut the plant down,” Pickett said, noting that allowing water towers to empty would have been disastrous for city water customers and for satellite customers in other communities.
Dave Link, owner of Lumpy’s Bar and Grill in downtown Gillespie and the only person on the agenda for public comments, opened the discussion with complaints about water quality at his restaurant. He said ice from the restaurant’s ice machine was discolored and unusable, forcing him to buy ice elsewhere. Water in the toilets after flushing “look like someone dumped in them,” he said, and water drawn to mop floors comes from the tap the color of a weak tea. Others in the crowd concurred, adding their own complaints about discolored water.
Link complained that citizens assumed the recently completed $10 million water infrastructure replacement project would resolve long-standing water quality issues and were angry about continuing to experience discolored water. Moreover, he wanted to know why the problem was not citywide, indicating water at his residence was clear while water at his restaurant and other downtown locations was discolored.
Pickett’s explanation did little to satisfy most of the crowd. “This has been going on for months,” said one resident as members of the audience applauded.
Mayor John Hicks mentioned that with the newly laid water distribution lines, water pressure had been increased from 41-pounds to 47-pounds. “That in itself will bust stuff loose,” he said.
Pickett said the city is expected to start flushing fire hydrants in an effect to purge discolored water from the system, but he had no explanation for why the problem is ongoing.
“We can’t take ‘We don’t know’ as an acceptable answer for why our water is not safe to drink,” said a member of the crowd.
Residents did not seem to be placated until Ald. Landon Pettit, Chairman of the Water Committee, stood to provide a more detailed explanation of the issue.
“This has been going on for years,” he said, noting that he grew up in Gillespie. “When you hear we spent $10 million on a water project and the water is still bad, you have every right to be mad. I understand why you’re frustrated.”
Pettit said he visited the water treatment plant when he was appointed Water Committee Chair and attempted to familiarize himself with the water treatment process and the challenges of providing clean water in Gillespie. The discoloration people have noticed, he said, is due to over-feeding potassium permanganate during the weekend the plant was without an analyzer. “It’s a visual thing,” he said, insisting the water is safe to drink even though it may look unappetizing.
According to Pettit, “that water plant is a unique place.” Its original design was to treat well water, which requires less chemical intervention to treat. “It’s trying to treat surface water, which is one of the hardest types of water to treat.”
Shortly after assuming the chairmanship, Pettit said the city hired a new water operator and asked for a detailed report on changes needed to improve water quality. The new operator completed the report, but then resigned from the position. At that point, Pickett, who retired as water plant operator after 16 years, was brought back on board.
“We immediately reduced the amount of permanganate by two-thirds,” he said. Over-feeding permanganate, he said, can contribute to discoloration. Further complicating the issue, chlorine is added after the permanganate as the water leaves the plant. If the amount of permanganate is too high or too low, it can react with the permanganate, causing it to crystallize, clog water filters and show up as sediment in water from the tap.
“If your analyzer goes down, you can’t tell whether the amount you’re adding is too high,” he said. “I’m not going to stand here and blame the operators past or present. It was a mechanical issue that caused a chemical overfeed.”
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Pettit said the treatment plant is at a minimum of ten years outdated. Some $700,000 worth of renovations are underway to correct the most serious deficiencies, but even those steps have been delayed by supply chain issues. “We have parts sitting out there that we can’t install because we can’t get the rest of what we need to do the job,” he said. The $700,000 budget, he said, is coming from the $10 million allocated for the water infrastructure improvement project.
Also complicating the process, he said, is the fact the city’s intake at Gillespie Lake is stationery. “That means anytime the lake turns over or there’s an algae bloom, we catch it every time.”
Pettit said it takes nine hours for water from the lake to reach the plant. Once it enters the plant, it’s sampled to determine how much chemical needs to be fed to treat the water, but it takes four hours before the treated water is tested to see if the operators “guessed right.” As a result of the July 4 equipment break-down, he said, there are millions of gallons of discolored water already underground in the distribution system.
Flushing fire hydrants will help, but he warned it will take time for all the discolored water to move through the system. In the meantime, he said residents living in areas of the city where water usage is minimal may continue to experience discolored water for some time.
Since the July 4th incident, Pettit said the Water Department has purchased back-ups for every piece of equipment in the testing lab. If a piece of equipment fails in the future, there is a duplicate machine to bring online.
In addition to improvements at the water plant, Pettit said the city is taking steps to chemically treat the lake to ensure the best quality possible for water entering the plant. This year, he said, treatments were postponed because of rain followed by extreme hot weather. Going forward, he said, “we will treat the lake three times a year whether it needs it or not to make sure the water coming into the plant is good water.”
Pettit cautioned the crowd that it will take time before they see improvements in water quality, but he assured them the city is working diligently to make improvements.
“I live in this town with my wife and kids,” he said. “We use this water, too.”
Fielding questions from the group, Pettit said the city may look into seeking grant funds to replace or renovate the treatment plant.
“We’ll have public meetings if we need to,” he said, “but when we have a public meeting, we’re lucky if we get two or three people.” If and when the city undertakes a grant application, he urged residents to participate in the public hearings. “Believe it or not, it makes a difference if your community is behind you.”
Asked why no boil order was issued over the July 4th weekend, Pettit said such orders are issued only when there is a break that would allow bacteria to enter the system or when there is a water pressure drop. There was no water pressure drop over the weekend, meaning a boil order was not required. However, he agreed the city needs some communication system to advise residents when water quality issues arise.
Also responding to a question, Hicks dismissed the suggestion that the city buy water from Litchfield. Litchfield had previously offered to sell water from its newer, state-of-the-art treatment plant. Hicks said exercising that option would eliminate local control over the water supply and the rates local consumers pay. Despite objections from the crowd, he said Gillespie has the lowest water rates in the area.
City Treasurer Dan Fisher disputed that the existing treatment plant was designed to treat well water, noting that when the plant was built there was an older plant sitting adjacent to the current building. Among the improvements made in recent years, he said, was the installation of a more modern filtration system.
“To treat surface water, you have to use a variety of techniques,” Fisher said.
The meeting, at times, grew raucous. One resident accused Hicks and office staff of treating people rudely when they came to the office to complain about water or issues with damages resulting from the water infrastructure project. When several members of the group grew loud, Hicks banged his gavel and asked for a motion to enter into executive session.
Before entering into an executive session, several residents asked about reimbursements for damages they incurred as a result of the water line project. One resident said his basement was flooded with raw sewage after workers drilled through a sewer line. Apart from pumping out the mess, he said he incurred remodeling expenses and had to pay for steam cleaning to make the basement habitable.
City Attorney Rick Verticchio said he could not explain why some claims had been paid while others had not, saying the payment of claims so far has been at the discretion of the insurance companies. He said some individuals whose payments have been unreasonably delayed may have to sue to get their money. In the meantime, he promised to research the status of payments to determine when residents might be able to expect their money.
As residents drifted from the room, one woman showed Pettit a water filter that was clogged with a dark, purplish muck that Pettit identified as crystallized potassium permanganate.
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FELONIES
Justine D. Pocklington, 27 of Standard City, possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams), aggravated feeling police/21 mph over, no valid registration, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a February 2 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Katlyn N. Pilger, 21 of Benld, is charged with theft/unauthorized control (<$500) in connection with a March 28 incident.
Donald L. Lloyd, 46 of Staunton, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with an April 5 incident.
TRAFFIC
Tarina S. Slaughter, 47 of Girard, is charged with improper use of registration/title, unlicensed, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an April 4 incident.
William C. Geiser, 60 of Gillespie, is charged with reckless driving in connection with an April 6 incident.
Lauren E. Wolfe, 21 of Granite City, is charged with improper use of registration/title and expiration of registration in connection with an April 3 incident.
Jim T. Wahl, 53 of Cottage Hills, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with an April 8 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Nora Washington versus Joseph D. Washington
- Samantha Lehnen versus Chad Wallace
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- Colton D. West of Hettick and Alina M. Carver of Scottville.
- Devin J. Martin and Mariah P. Crane, both of Bunker Hill.
- Jonathon E. Swisher of Shipman and Mackenzie P. Calvin of Saint Charles, MO.
- Lucas Boschelli and Danielle J. Boatman, both of Carlinville.
- Todd R. Leverton and Jennifer L. Bowman, both of Carlinville.
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SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Oak Street in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Oak Street in reference to harassment.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Main Street in Benld in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of Park Avenue in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Elm Street in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a 911 call.
MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2026
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
Jonathan M. Kirkwood, 29 of Benld, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for traffic.
An officer was dispatched to Maple Street and Adams Street in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was out with a female at Trolley Street and Central Avenue in Benld in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male in reference to a civil issue in the 200 block of South Main Street in Benld.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Henry Street in East Gillespie. Camden G. Zumwalt, 18 of Staunton, was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a well-being check.
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2026
Cory D. Norton, 33 of Columbus, NC, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for driving while driver’s license was suspended. He also has a warrant out of Montgomery County for failure to appear while driver’s license was suspended.
An officer was dispatched to the intersection of Madison Street and Wilson Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was out with a male at Staunton Road and Charles Street in reference to a traffic crash. Tanner E. Moore, 28 of Gillespie, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, improper lane usage, using an electronic communication device, and failure to change address.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Frey Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Staunton Road in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South 4th Street in Benld in reference to unwanted solicitors.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Maple Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of Richards Street in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was out in the 100 block of South Main Street in Benld. Amanda L. Broderick, 37 of Benld, was issued citations for unlawful possession of traffic signs and obstruction. Luther C. Welch, 31 of Shipman, was issued a citation for obstruction.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Berry Street in Mt. Clare in reference to a death investigation.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 300 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to illegal dumping and criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of North 6th Street in Benld in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to identity theft in the 1200 block of Second Street.
An officer initiated a traffic stop in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street. Andrea M. Hulsey, 30 of Mt. Clare, was issued a citation for her minor child not wearing a seatbelt.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Broadway in reference to a neighbor dispute.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 900 block of Springfield Road in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to Ben-Gil Elementary School in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to Kentucky Street and Hickory Street in Benld in reference to a noise complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Walnut Street to assist the Macoupin County Sheriff Department in serving an eviction notice.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Dorsey Road in Mt. Clare in reference to a well-being check.
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Dorsey Street in Benld in reference to a medical assist.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Donaldson Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and Main Street in Benld. Trinity A. Pruitt, 22 of Benld, was issued citations for speeding and for illegal transportation of cannabis.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to a civil issue.
The school resource officer brought a child to the Gillespie Police Department in reference to juvenile issues.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue in the 200 block of West Spruce Street.
An officer was dispatched to the 2300 block of Staunton Road in Mt. Clare in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Clay Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of East Central Avenue in Benld in reference to suspicious activity.
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2026
An officer was dispatched near the water plant in reference to juveniles fighting.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South Second Street in Benld in reference to assisting the Litchfield Police Department with a case.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Wilson Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Charles Street in reference to a civil issue.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Henry Street in East Gillespie. Leonard J. Schwartz, 55 of Edwardsville, was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Pine Street. Scott A. Byrd, 49 of Wilsonville, was issued a citation for expired registration.
SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2026
Larry E. Conlee, 42 of Mt. Clare, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for dangerous drugs. He was also arrested for resisting a peace officer and aggravated battery.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to an animal complaint on Bishop Drive at Gillespie Lake.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Hard Road in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of East Walnut Street in reference to solicitation.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Community News
“History Belongs to All of Us”: Focus of Carlinville Community Conversation Series starting May 4
“History Belongs to All of Us,” a three-month series of events and activities commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence and emphasizing Illinois’ role in seizing liberty for the American people will kick off Monday, May 4, and continue through July 16, 2026.
The series is project of Carlinville Winning Communities funded by a grant from Illinois Humanities. The events will encourage participants to examine and discuss the Declaration of Independence and other primary historical documents through facilitated conversations, according to Mary Tinder, a Macoupin County Historical Society & Carlinville Winning Communities board member.
Carlinville Winning Communities was one of only 13 entities statewide to receive an Illinois Humanities grant to support the Community Conversations Series.
We are fortunate to have received Illinois Humanities funding for this unique project, With 2026 being the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the 100th anniversary of Route 66, it is altogether fitting to explore where we’ve been and where we’re going, as well as to reflect on both and the cultural impact of our independence, Tinder said.
In keeping with the “History Belongs to All of Us” theme, several of the presentations and discussions will emphasize the role of Native Americans and the impact of American independence on Native American and other cultures.
Program topics will be explored through presentations by Illinois Humanities Road Scholars, live readings of historic documents, art, music and discussions. The programs are free to attend and all venues are handicapped accessible.
The series kicks off with “Illinois in the Revolutionary War,” a presentation by local historian and author Tom Emery, at 7 p.m., Monday, May 4, at the Macoupin County Historical Society’s Ruyle Genealogy Building, 920 W. Breckenridge St., Carlinville. Emery will lead a discussion of information included in his most recently published book, Illinois in the Revolutionary War.
“There was more to the war in Illinois than most people realize,” said Emery. “Revolutionary action took place in many parts of the state, and it was a struggle for all involved. It shows how hard many Americans worked for liberty.”
A discussion of Nicholas Welch’s 1812 Land Grant and the Autobiography of Ma-Ka-Tai-Me-She-Kia-Kiak, better known as Black Hawk, leader of the Sauk/Sac Indian tribes, is set for 7 p.m., Monday, June 1, in the Anderson Home parlor on the Macoupin County Historical Society grounds. Under the Land Grant program, the government set aside more than five million acres in western Illinois to compensate American war veterans with large tracts of land. Though Welch never set foot in Illinois, the granting of land to him displaced Black Hawk from his home in the area of present-day Rock Island. The facilitated discussion will focus on original historic documents, juxtaposing Welch’s land grant with Black Hawk’s experience.
Because of the smaller, more intimate venue, reservations are required. RSVP to marytinder1@gmail.com to reserve a seat.
“Relive the Mother Road: The Edwards Trace,” a collective analysis of documents and a look at contemporary research will be led by Illinois Humanities Road Scholar Anna Sielaff, Friday afternoon, June 26, during an Old Fashioned Route 66 Jubilee on the Macoupin County Courthouse lawn. Sielaff will discuss the 3,000-year-old Edwards Trace, used by Native Americans and early Illinois settlers, that stretched from Cahokia to Peoria. Portions of the trace run through Macoupin County, and some sections lay along the original alignment of Route 66. Imagine Rural Arts also will lead an art project in connection with how the trail was marked.
The Old Fashioned Route 66 Jubilee event runs from noon into the evening with food, musical performances, literary presentations, games, food and other activities.
The date is significant for Carlinville and Route 66 since 6/26/26 happens to be our zip code! The Jubilee offers a variety of experiences and taking a deeper look at the Edwards Trace and the Mother Road is an interesting way to explore local history on this unique date and location, Tinder noted.
Continuing on to the July 4th holiday, Macoupin County high school and college students will read the Declaration of Independence aloud in the main courtroom of the historic Macoupin County Courthouse in Carlinville at 10 a.m. The event also will feature a display of more than 30 historic flags provided by the George Rogers Clark Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. A facilitated discussion will follow the reading and participants will be invited to sign the “Macoupin County America @ 250 Time Capsule” book. The book will then be on display at the Macoupin County Historical Society, said Andrea Duncan, one of the organizers.
A unique and somewhat mysterious artifact from Macoupin County will be the subject of a presentation at 7 p.m., Monday, July 6, at the Historical Society’s Ruyle Genealogy Building. Sharon Breyden and husband Tommy Breyden will display and discuss the Black Hawk Tablet, uncovered in the 1940s on a farm near Hettick. The odd inscriptions on the lead medallion suggests Black Hawk and an early Macoupin settler formalized an agreement to peacefully coexist in central Illinois.
For the final program of the Carlinville Community Conversations series, Illinois Humanities Road Scholar Kim Sigafus, a member of the Ojibwa Native American tribe, will present “We the Native People” at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 16, at the Historical Society’s Ruyle Genealogy Building. The focus is on Native Americans at the time the Declaration of Independence was signed. The interactive program will use traditional story-telling and music to help audience members understand the groundswell changes in Native American culture and lifestyle resulting from American independence and subsequent western expansion.
For more information and details about the “History Belongs to All of Us” series, contact Carlinville Winning Communities Board members, Andrea Duncan, (217) 204-1446, or Mary Tinder, (217) 825-9699.
