Community News
School board approves annual financing audit, approves parent-funded GMS cross country
Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night voted to accept a state-mandated financial audit prepared by Loy-Milley-Talley, PC, headquartered in Alton, Jerseyville and Greenfield. The action followed a summary presentation by Ken Loy, a senior partner in the firm. While the audit document gives the district a clean bill of health in regard to accounting procedures, the audit findings resulted in a slight downgrade in the district’s Financial Profile used by the State Board of Education to assess a district’s financial health. The downgrade—from 3.7 last year to 3.35 this year out of a maximum score of 4—will move the district from the state’s “Financial Recognition” classification (the state’s top category) to “Financial Review.”
In addition to hearing and approving audit findings, the board also green-lighted a Middle School Cross Country program and a district-wide “Running Club,” renewed mine subsidence insurance for the High School/Middle School complex, and heard a brief statement from the union regarding ongoing contract negotiations with non-certificated workers.
The annual audit, covering the fiscal year that ended June 30, must be filed with the State Board of Education under Illinois law. Additionally, Loy said his firm electronically submitted documents resulting in the 3.35 Financial Profile designation. Loy described the designation downgrade as “no big deal” that resulted from a $400,000 Operating Debt Fund transfer during the fiscal year. “Everything is pretty stable overall,” Loy said.
The purpose of the audit ostensibly is to affirm that the district’s accounting procedures are in order, but it also provides an insight into the district’s overall financial condition.
“There was some uncertainty at the beginning of the year,” Loy said, “but I think it all turned out well by the end of the year.” The audit includes three opinion letters regarding the district’s accounting procedures, all of which were positive.
“It’s a clean audit report in our opinion,” Loy noted. “Internal control is adequate, the money is handled properly and there is good oversight.” One letter refers specifically to the district’s handling of federal funds, which increased by $2.1 million last year due to COVID grant funds from the federal government. That letter noted the district “handled the money properly and spent it properly in a timely manner,” Loy said.
Three of the district’s major funds had deficit spending for the past fiscal year, according to the audit. Expenditures exceeded revenue by $81,065 in the Education Fund, $64,716 in the Operations and Maintenance Fund, and $31,486 in the Bond and Interest Fund. Revenue exceeded expenditures in all other funds, however, allowing the district to end the year with a $376,000 positive budget balance on June 30.
Part of that positive balance was attributed to the influx of federal cash for COVID relief. A year earlier, the district ended the year with an $18,000 positive budget balance. The year before that the district ended the budget year with a $370,000 cash surplus because of the receipt of a settlement from Union Pacific Railroad in connection with the loss of Benld Elementary School.
Among the audit’s other findings is a 10.13 percent increase in the district’s total equalized assessed valuation—from $75 million the previous year to $82.6 million last year. The increase resulted in a reduction in the district’s property tax rate from $4.17 per $100 EAV in 2019 to $3.80 for 2020.
Loy described the tax rate as “among the lowest three among eight school districts in the county.”
Loy said the audit shows the district started the fiscal year with $12.7 million in debt and paid down $715,000 to end the year with a debt load of $11,996,000.
The estimated per capita tuition charge (the cost of educating a single student for one year) was $8,906 for the fiscal year—an increase of $600 from the previous year. Loy said the tuition rate, a component of the audit required by the state, is “probably about average for the county.”
GMS CROSS COUNTRY/RUNNING PROGRAM
On a motion by Becky Hatlee, seconded by Bill Carter, the board unanimously approved a parent-funded cross country program for the middle school. The board also voted unanimously to approve Hatlee’s motion, seconded by Jack Burns, to authorize the establishment of a district-wide running club.
Both actions followed a brief presentation by Jay Weber, fifth-grade teacher and avid runner, who advocated for the Middle School cross-country program following the first-year success of a revived high school cross-country program. The Running Club, he said, would be open to students of all ages from all three attendance centers. The club will be a non-competitive organization to encourage students to become runners for recreation and fitness.
“We see enormous benefits to students in being active and building character traits,” Weber said.
Before voting, Dennis Tiburzi asked if physicals would be required for Running Club members. Weber said he would research that issue but noted a similar program at Auburn only required participants’ parents to sign a waiver.
The actions follow recent successes with the high school cross country program. The girls’ team finished third last Saturday at the Regional level and will advance to Sectionals this Saturday, while the girls’ team also finished as conference champions on Oct. 18.
“It’s quite a comeback for a program that essentially had been on hiatus for several years,” said Supt. Shane Owsley.
MINE SUBSIDENCE INSURANCE
Board members reluctantly voted to purchase substantially less mine subsidence coverage at a substantially higher premium on the recommendation of Supt. Owsley. Owsley said the district purchases subsidence insurance for the high school/middle school complex only. The newly constructed BenGil Elementary School was stabilized by injecting concrete into abandoned coal mine tunnels under the building, negating the risk of mine subsidence damage. Abandoned tunnels, however, remain under the high school/middle school site, posing a risk of collapse similar to the event that destroyed the Benld Elementary School more than a decade ago.
Last year, Owsley reported, the district was able to purchase $26 million in coverage for an annual premium of $115,000.
For this year, the district’s insurance consultant could find only $20 million in coverage for a total premium of $148,017.
“Fewer and fewer carriers are offering this and those that do are making you pay for it,” Owsley said. “We’re losing $6 million in coverage with a $33,000 increase in the premium.”
Under the plan, Axis Insurance will cover up to $10 million in subsidence damage for a premium of $90,837. Endurance Insurance will provide $5 million in coverage for $31,223, but the Endurance coverage would be accessed only after the first $10 million covered by Axis is exhausted. Another $5 million in coverage is provided by Markel Insurance for $25,957 to be accessed only after the first two policies are exhausted.
The district’s insurance consultant said it’s rare for subsidence to result in a total loss, Owsley said, “but you only have to go a few miles down the road to see where that happened. My recommendation is to go for the full $20 million in coverage.”
PERSONNEL
Neil Balzraine, a high school custodian and president of the union representing non-certificated district employees, read a statement from the union urging a resolution to ongoing contract negotiations. Balzraine said non-certificated workers have been working since July without a contract.
“We would like to express our concern tonight in regard to the non-certified contract negotiations and the board’s last proposal,” Balzraine read. “The members in a meeting two weeks ago unanimously expressed their concerns and disagreement with the board’s counter-proposal.”
He said union negotiators “look forward to meeting Thursday at 6 p.m. to discuss these issues and come together in agreement on a fair contract,” adding that the union is “anxious to find an agreement that benefits the staff as well as protects the district’s financial interest for the long term.”
After a prolonged negation, the board ratified a teachers contract in August calling for salary increases of 3.75 percent. Past practice has been to offer non-certificated workers a contract that is essentially the same as the teacher’s contract. Because the non-certificated negotiations are ongoing, neither side disclosed the specific issues that are in contention.
Prior to coming into open session, the board met for 90 minutes in executive session. Those closed-door discussions presumably included personnel issues and possibly collective bargaining.
OTHER ACTION
In other personnel action, the board:
- Approved a salary increase of 3.75 percent for Supt. Owsley for the 2021-22 school year. The increase is identical to the increase approved for certificated staff.
- Voted to hire Eric Bogle as a freshman boys basketball coach for the 2021-22 school year.
- Voted to hire Christy Besserman as a special education bus aide, pending a background check.
- Voted to hire Trish Spencer as a District Administrative Assistant, pending a background check. Spencer will train under outgoing Administrative Assistant Denise Graham who plans to retire in April.
DISTRICT FOCUS
During a brief District Focus segment, building administrators introduced newly hired teaching staff.
BenGil Principal Angelo Sandretto introduced Liz Logsdon, a birth-to-three staffer; Madi Whittington, speech therapist; third-grade teachers Katie Lievers, Alex Plovich and Pete Visintin; and fifth-grade teacher Jay Weber.
Middle School Principal Tara Cooper introduced Emily Barylske, a first-year classroom paraprofessional, and High School Principal Jill Rosentreter introduced Darian Gill, a former Middle School paraprofessional who transferred to the high school.
Supt. Owsley introduced Tim Besserman, recently hired as Transportation Direction. “You’ve picked an interesting time to jump into education,” Owsley joked, referring to COVID-19 protocols. “The good news is that if you survive this, it will downhill from here on.”
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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.
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An engineer from Juneau Associates, Inc. Edwardsville, outlined sweeping improvements to the city’s water and sewer systems that the city may opt to pursue in the future.
“Buckle up,” Mayor Landon Pettit told members of the city council before Anthony “Tony” Vercellino outlined immediate needs and potential future needs during the council’s regular monthly meeting Monday night, April 13.
Vercellino identified repairs and renovations to two sewer system lift stations as immediate needs that need to be addressed.
Though engineers did not yet have cost estimates, Vercellino said both pumps in the systems interceptor lift station are failing. Replacing the pumps with either grinder units or trash pumps is necessary to keep the lift station in operation. During previous meetings of the council, Sewer Department Manager Ethan Martin has said he has been having to replace pumps periodically to keep the lift station operable. One of the main culprits, both Martin and Vercellino said, are purportedly “flushable” baby wipes.
“They may say they’re flushable but they’re not,” Mayor Pettit said.
A main flow lift station is in need of a new electronic control panel to enable city employees to monitor the status of its operation off site.
In addition to the lift station work, Vercellino said Pettit asked him to draw up a proposal to create a designated site for waste haulers who add sewage to the city’s system for processing. Vercellino said the dedicated site would alleviate situations where waste haulers “pop a manhole cover” to unload waste.
Vercellino said he is working on a proposal for all three projects which presumably will include engineers’ cost estimates for council action at a later date.
For the longer term, Vercellino outlined a number of projects that would run into millions of dollars over a period of several years. He recommended seeking a low interest loan through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Agency to improve the city’s water and sewer systems.
“My recommendation is to get as much money as you are comfortable with,” Vercellino said, and pay it back over 30 years at an interest rate of one to two percent. Under the right circumstances, according to Pettit, the city may be eligible for forgiveness on as much as 30 to 60 percent of the principal
Vercellino said the long-term projects are not critical but would avoid problems in the future. “These are not critical projects,” he said. “You’re not being fined right now.”
One area in need of attention is the chemical storage area at the water treatment plant, which currently does not meet EPA standards. There also is a need to complete and pressure test a new supply line from between the lake and the treatment plant to deliver raw water. Vercellino said Juneau engineers also are looking at the possibility of raising the lake level in lieu of dredging to increase water storage capacity. Raising the water level one foot, he said, would result in an additional 1.3 million gallons and only minimally affect the shoreline profile.
According to Vercellino, the city should consider a hydraulic study to provide the city with “a computer model of the distribution system” in the city and satellite communities that get water from Gillespie. The study also would provide engineers with an understanding of where additional fire hydrants may be needed to not only improve water quality but also improve fire protection.
Vercellino also recommended getting flow testing done on existing hydrants in conjunction with the Community Unit 7 Fire Protection District’s annual hydrant flushing. Flow testing hasn’t been done since sometime in the 1990s and getting it done now should result in lower home insurance rates for homeowners.
“It’s not cheap to get flow testing done,” Vercellino said. “The fact the Fire Department is willing to do this with us is a major advantage.”
“One of the biggest problems we have is with maps and locating water and sewer lines,” Pettit said, adding that the city is using maps from the 1930s to find underground water and sewer lines. On his recommendation, the council voted unanimously to purchase a subsurface locator from Subsurface Solutions, Inc.,at a cost of $15,092.20, with the cost split evenly between the Water and Sewer funds.
Later in the meeting, Martin expounded on issues with the city’s two sewer system lift stations. In January, he said, the city installed a new $20,000 pump in the interceptor lift station only to have it burn out eight days later. The culprit, again, was “flushable” baby wipes clogging the trash system.
“We can’t continue to drop 20 grand every couple of months,” he said. “I can tell you, it’s not going to get any better.”
Ald. Dona Rauzi suggested asking resident to refrain from flushing baby wipes.
“It’s a problem everywhere, not just here,” said Ald. J.Q. Hatleman. “The problem is we have the wrong pump in that station.” He suggested seeking a $10 million loan for 10 years to address the issues at both lift stations.
Martin said IEPA is recommending the city repair aerators at the sewage lagoon and remove vegetation from rip-rap around the lagoon, but neither recommendation is a priority.
“These are recommendations,” Martin said. “These are things they want to see done but they’re not critical. We are not of noncompliance.”
BANK LOAN
On a motion by Ald. Wendy Rolando, seconded by Ald. Janet Odell-Mueller, the council approved a plan to open a line of credit with United Community Bank and secure it with a $125,000 certificate of deposit. Mayor Pettit said the city is renewing an existing $100,000 certificate of deposit and buying a new $125,000 certificate of deposit with money from the Water Department Fund.
The credit line will preclude the necessity for inter-fund loans that have to be paid back before the end of the fiscal year.
“This gets us out of the cycle we’ve been in the last few years,” Pettit said. “Essentially, we are borrowing our own money.” He said the interest rate on the loan is essentially the same what the city earns on the certificate of deposit.
LIBRARY ASSIST
Without taking formal action, the council generally agreed to loan the Public Library up to $10,000 if needed. Librarian Steve Joyce told the council the library may come up short on a roofing project if Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) grant money is not released in time.
Joyce said the library has been paying for improvements from the renovation fund but could run out of money while waiting for CEJA money to be released. The library was set to receive about $60,000 in CEJA dollars. It has already spent about $48,000 for repairs, an entry door, and materials for the roofing project.
“The roof needs to be fixed immediately,” Joyce said, adding that the library may not be able to come up with the balance without the city’s help. He asked the city to front the library $10,000 with the expectation the library would reimburse the city when CEJA funds are released.
Delays in releasing CEJA has been an increasingly common complaint from local governments who have committed to spending funds due to them.
“My understanding is that they are going through everything line by line,” Pettit said, before disbursing funds.
In a related CEJA matter, the council approved using CEJA funds to pay a $10,000 third installment for a Business Boot Camp that took place last year.
CIVIC CENTER RATES
The council unanimously approved a resolution implementing a rental fee structure for non-profit groups renting the Civic Center. Under the new rates, non-profit groups are exempted from paying a damage deposit fee.
STREETSCAPE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
On a motion by Ald. Rolando, the council set a limit of $10,000 to buy flowers and plants for green areas included in the extensive downtown Streetscape development. Rolando said she had consulted with La Bella Fiori to choose plants for the project, while Grow Gillespie members have volunteered to do weeding, watering and maintenance.
While included in the project scope, the landscaping aspect was not part of the contractor’s bid.
“If we’re going to do this, I really think we should do something with our Welcome to Gillespie signs,” Ald. Janet Odell-Mueller commented.
PAY ESTIMATE
On a motion by Ald. Rauzi, seconded by Mueller, the council unanimously approved payment of Pay Estimate No. 8 to Stutz Excavating, Alton, for work completed on the downtown Streetscape project.
“We’re getting close to the end,” Pettit noted. Work on the $4 million improvement project began earlier this year.
STREET ISSUE
A measure to vacate a portion of Virginia Street that is platted but has never developed, was tabled until May while City Attorney Rick Verticchio determines whether or not there is an easement that would preclude the action. Anita McLain, who asked for the measure, owns lots on Clinton Street on both sides of the undeveloped portion of Virginia Street.
“This is a road that doesn’t exist,” said Mayor Pettit. “The road behind it is in East Gillespie.”
Assuming there is no easement, “I don’t see any issue with this,” said Pettit. “It was previously used as a driveway.”
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
City aldermen approved a memorandum of understanding with the Village of Mt. Clare to link Mt. Clare’s storm siren system with Gillespie’s. The city has similar agreements with Benld and Wilsonville. City Attorney Verticchio said the agreement exempts the city from liability in the event the link does not work.
MOWER PURCHASE
The council gave the committee power to act on the purchase of two Cub Cadet self-propelled lawn mowers at a cost of about $680 each.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
• Approved a business license for the Snack Shack, owned by Caysea Gray, at 201 W. Pine St.
• Agreed to pay $1,320.78 in delinquent property tax on 307 East Elm St. The property was acquired by the city through a nuisance property action. Now that it is owned by the city, the property will be tax exempt going forward.
• Approved a liquor license for the Coal Country Kitchen, formerly the Barracks, at 206 W. Spruce St.
• Approved a 60-day liquor license for Jumping’ Jimmy’s, 506 E. Elm St., pending the hiring of a new general manager.
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SPRINGFIELD – Illinois youth turkey hunters set a new record, harvesting a preliminary total of 2,318 birds during the 2025 Illinois youth season. The total surpasses last year’s record of 2,099 birds and marks the third consecutive year of record-setting youth turkey harvest in Illinois.
Participation also reached an all-time high this spring. Youth hunters purchased a record 7,369 permits in 2026, surpassing the previous record of 6,538 sold in 2025. Along with a success rate of over 30% for the third year in a row, the increasing totals reflect strong youth interest in turkey hunting, excellent hunting opportunities and a robust statewide turkey population.
This year’s youth season was March 28-29 and April 4-5. The top five counties for youth harvest were Jefferson, 75; Fayette, 74; Marion, 68; Adams, 62; and Clay, 62. The following table shows preliminary harvest figures for the youth turkey season by county for 2025 and 2026.
| County | 2025 | 2026 |
| ADAMS | 50 | 62 |
| ALEXANDER | 14 | 29 |
| BOND | 20 | 26 |
| BOONE | 4 | 4 |
| BROWN | 38 | 34 |
| BUREAU | 19 | 12 |
| CALHOUN | 38 | 40 |
| CARROLL | 9 | 8 |
| CASS | 24 | 19 |
| CHAMPAIGN | 6 | 5 |
| CHRISTIAN | 8 | 13 |
| CLARK | 28 | 43 |
| CLAY | 50 | 62 |
| CLINTON | 30 | 37 |
| COLES | 7 | 7 |
| CRAWFORD | 38 | 34 |
| CUMBERLAND | 21 | 27 |
| DEKALB | 0 | 0 |
| DEWITT | 3 | 3 |
| DOUGLAS | 2 | 1 |
| EDGAR | 9 | 7 |
| EDWARDS | 11 | 15 |
| EFFINGHAM | 42 | 42 |
| FAYETTE | 63 | 74 |
| FORD | 1 | 0 |
| FRANKLIN | 27 | 35 |
| FULTON | 28 | 29 |
| GALLATIN/HARDIN | 31 | 48 |
| GREENE | 31 | 31 |
| GRUNDY | 4 | 4 |
| HAMILTON | 38 | 34 |
| HANCOCK | 30 | 43 |
| HENDERSON | 9 | 12 |
| HENRY | 25 | 18 |
| IROQUOIS | 7 | 7 |
| JACKSON | 28 | 45 |
| JASPER | 28 | 30 |
| JEFFERSON | 72 | 75 |
| JERSEY | 20 | 32 |
| JO DAVIESS | 47 | 34 |
| JOHNSON | 23 | 35 |
| KANKAKEE | 6 | 7 |
| KENDALL | 2 | 1 |
| KNOX | 15 | 6 |
| LAKE | 0 | 1 |
| LASALLE | 7 | 7 |
| LAWRENCE | 13 | 11 |
| LEE | 14 | 10 |
| LIVINGSTON | 3 | 5 |
| LOGAN | 4 | 7 |
| MACON | 1 | 3 |
| MACOUPIN | 60 | 57 |
| MADISON | 36 | 44 |
| MARION | 48 | 68 |
| MARSHALL/PUTNAM | 9 | 12 |
| MASON | 22 | 20 |
| MASSAC | 17 | 17 |
| MCDONOUGH | 8 | 11 |
| MCHENRY | 17 | 12 |
| MCLEAN | 9 | 11 |
| MENARD | 18 | 12 |
| MERCER | 12 | 12 |
| MONROE | 25 | 34 |
| MONTGOMERY | 34 | 40 |
| MORGAN | 11 | 15 |
| MOULTRIE | 5 | 6 |
| OGLE | 27 | 21 |
| PEORIA | 11 | 20 |
| PERRY | 34 | 42 |
| PIATT | 0 | 0 |
| PIKE | 71 | 59 |
| POPE | 30 | 38 |
| PULASKI | 18 | 23 |
| RANDOLPH | 66 | 55 |
| RICHLAND | 17 | 8 |
| ROCK ISLAND | 10 | 12 |
| SALINE | 26 | 34 |
| SANGAMON | 20 | 23 |
| SCHUYLER | 27 | 26 |
| SCOTT | 3 | 9 |
| SHELBY | 31 | 34 |
| ST CLAIR | 28 | 47 |
| STARK | 3 | 6 |
| STEPHENSON | 18 | 22 |
| TAZEWELL | 11 | 8 |
| UNION | 21 | 34 |
| VERMILION | 17 | 8 |
| WABASH | 6 | 8 |
| WARREN | 9 | 8 |
| WASHINGTON | 27 | 26 |
| WAYNE | 48 | 52 |
| WHITE | 34 | 36 |
| WHITESIDE | 27 | 25 |
| WILL | 4 | 5 |
| WILLIAMSON | 38 | 48 |
| WINNEBAGO | 25 | 26 |
| WOODFORD | 13 | 10 |
| Total | 2,099 | 2,318 |
