Tragedy struck in the early hours of Saturday morning in Macoupin County as a residential structure fire broke out in the 200 block of West Dean Street, Virden, resulting in the death of a male victim, the Macoupin County Coroner Anthony Kravanya announced.

The individual was pronounced deceased at 10:06 AM but the identity of the deceased has not yet been released, as authorities await the results of an autopsy scheduled for Monday, February 17, 2025. The coroner’s office indicated that a press release will be issued following the autopsy and the positive identification of the victim.

WAND reported a second victim died after being transported to Springfield Memorial Hospital according to Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon who confirmed a 13-year-old boy and a 34-year-old male were the victims.

The fire reportedly started around 9:30 a.m. and the home was fully engulfed when first responders arrived. Two people were reportedly rescued and life flight was requested but were not available due to the foggy weather conditions. 

An investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway, involving multiple agencies including the Macoupin County Coroner’s Office, the Virden Police Department, the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Members of the Macoupin County Board on Tuesday night approved a construction/engineering agreement with Cummings Engineering in regard to the Lotus Wind Farm generating project near Girard. Action on the agreement was tabled from the board’s January meeting after board members voiced concerns about who would foot the $1 million tab for the agreement.

County Engineer Tom Reinhardt told the board Tuesday evening those concerns had been addressed. Under the agreement, project owner Apex Energy will post a $1 million escrow with the County Highway Department, which will be responsible for drawing down on the account to pay Cummings Engineering as the construction proceeds. No county money will be involved.

Under terms of the agreement, Cummings Engineering, Springfield, will observe and monitor road and bridge work done in connection with the project to ensure they conform to standards.

“They will be our eyes in the field to make sure Apex builds roads and installs culverts according to plans,” Reinhardt said.

Apex plans to build a wind farm consisting of about 52 turbines capable of producing 200 megawatts of electricity—enough to power 77,500 homes—on land located west of Girard in North Otter and North Palmyra townships. Apex says the project will provide “hundreds” of local jobs during construction, and at least nine permanent jobs when the project is complete.

Project construction has begun with road work and culvert replacement within the project area. Daily updates on road closures is available at https://www.lotuswindpower.com/construction.

In other action, the board approved several routine items to facilitate the Macoupin County Public Health Department’s annual grant application for funds to operate the Macoupin County Public Transportation system, but tabled a measure to require two signatures on all checks issued by the county.

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF MACOUPIN COUNTY AGRICULTURE

The board voted unanimously to approve a resolution in support of Macoupin County agriculture. Basically a commemorative resolution, the document commits the board to supporting agriculture in Macoupin County. The resolution recognizes jobs created and taxes generated by agricultural activities, and pledges the support of county government to promote agriculture for the benefit of the county and its residents.

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In a press release distributed by Macoupin County Farm Bureau Manager Mark Dugger, said Macoupin County farm property provides 31.4 percent of taxable value to support services throughout the county. Annual sales of ag products in the county exceed $443 million, and about 2,750 jobs are supported by agriculture—about 17 percent of the county’s total jobs.

“Our farming community would like to thank members of the Macoupin County Board for showing their support by adopting this resolution,” according to David Heusing, Macoupin County Farm Bureau President. “Agriculture is a major economic driver in Macoupin County, and this resolution shows our elected officials have our backs when making important decisions affecting our farms and livelihoods.”

“Agriculture is the state’s largest industry, and passage of these Pro-Agriculture Resolutions show that our elected officials understand the agriculture goes far beyond providing food and fuel,” said Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan. “ When county boards pass these resolutions, they are showing their commitment to work with farm leaders so they can confidently be champions of agriculture.”

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION GRANT

Board members approved a resolution and an applicant ordinance authorizing board chair Larry Schmidt to apply for a matching grant of $156,169 in federal transportation funds to underwrite the Macoupin County Public Health Department’s Public Transit  program. The county applies for the grant on an annual basis. Grant funds are administered at the state level by the Department of Transportation and are drawn from about $760 million allotted at the federal level.

Additionally, the board approved a certification of intent, a special warranty acceptance and a certification of restrictions on lobbying. The documents are technical requirements in support of the grant application. 

COUNTY BUDGET UPDATE

Five months into the current fiscal year, County Clerk Pete Duncan reported that county revenue is generally flat while expenses, as expected, are increasing. At this point, the General Fund has taken in $3,151,452, compared with $3,149,154 at this time a year ago. Despite being $2,298 ahead of last year, Duncan said the numbers show revenue from property tax, sales tax and other sources is generally flat.

“We are not bringing in a lot of new revenue,” he said.

At this time a year ago, the county had received $4,085,462 for the budget year and expended $3,578,451, leaving a surplus of $507,011. This year, the county is showing a budget deficit of  $134,365, with revenue of $3,857,013 against expenditures of $3,991,378. Duncan said the figures are slightly skewed because a final distribution of property tax revenue has not yet been received. Still, the numbers leave very little margin for the fiscal year.

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“It’s not a ‘break glass’ emergency,” Duncan said, “but it’s going to be a very tight budget year.”

In a related matter, members of the Budget Committee complained it was not receiving timely monthly financial reports form some county departments. The departments that are tardy vary from month to month, but committee members said having incomplete information hampers efforts to monitor the county’s financial status.

DUAL SIGNATORIES FOR CHECKS

After an extended discussion, the board tabled a measure to require both the County Clerk and County Treasurer to sign checks issued by departments that do not already require two signatures. 

State’s Attorney Jordan Garrison said requiring dual signatures could be burdensome in some instances. He said the State’s Attorney’s Office maintains a separate account to reimburse bad check victims when his office recovers the funds.

“I could take it upstairs for the Treasurer’s signature, but we don’t do that now,” he said.

Board member Molly Rosentreter said there may be valid reasons why some departments do not require dual signatures. Other board members suggested consulting with the county’s auditors for an opinion. Finance Chair Jon Payne acknowledged the committee had not consulted Treasurer Amber McGartland before recommending the policy change.

Ultimately the board voted to refer the issue back to committee to make a recommendation in March.

“I’m comfortable with tabling this,” said committee member Todd Armour, “but I feel pretty strongly about it.”

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GRANT ADMINISTRATOR POSITION

By a unanimous vote, the board voted to create a new position for a grant writer who will be responsible for researching available grants, writing grant applications and other duties. The initial salary is set at $60,000 per year, plus benefits, which will be covered by an economic development grant the county received earlier.

Economic Development Chair Holly Klausing said whoever is hired will be made aware that the job may not be available after one year if the county cannot secure an additional grant. Salary after the first year, however, might be covered by capturing five percent of the grants obtained by the new employee. 

SURPLUS PROPERTIES

Duncan briefly reported on the status of two county owned properties being offered for sale as surplus property. A small parcel south of Carlinville near the former city dump is being offered via the tax trustee, according to Duncan. Bids are due by Feb. 21 but no bids have been received at this time. The tax liability is about $800 and the property conceivably could sell for that price depending upon the bids received.

A second parcel consists of 2.5 acres north of Macoupin County Animal Control Shelter. Bids are due by Feb. 28 but no one has submitted a bid as of Tuesday night. That property must be sold for at least 80 percent of the assessed value.

According to Duncan, the full board may be able to vote on selling one or both properties at its March meeting if qualified buyers submit bids by the deadline.

50/50 PETITION

The board approved a 50/50 petition to replace a 60-inch culvert on Keller Road in Western Mound Township. The 60-foot culvert will carries the roadway over Hodges Creek.

County Engineer Reinhardt said the total estimated cost is $12,000, which the county will share equally with the township.

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The Gillespie City Council on Monday night pre-approved payment of $59,200 to Watson Contracting for work being done on remodeling 124 N. Macoupin St. to serve as Gillespie Police Department headquarters. Ald. Dona Rauzi reported that the contractor is about to start on drywalling work and expects to finish the project before the next council meeting in March. The action Monday night will allow the city to pay the invoice upon completion of the work, rather than waiting for the next meeting for approval.

The payment represents the second half of the total contract awarded to Watson. The council approved payment of the first half during its January meeting.

The city purchased the building in August for $69,000. There has been no announcement regarding when the Police Department will move into the new facility.

LAKE POSITION

The council voted unanimously to give Mayor John Hicks power to act on hiring a full-time lake employee. The new employee ostensibly will replace Lake Supervisor Gary Thornhill but may not have that title. 

“You don’t have to call him a supervisor,” City Attorney Rick Verticchio said. “You can, but you don’t have to.”

Lake Chair Frank Barrett initially recommended Austin Loftis, a part-time lake employee who has been taking care of Thornhill’s duties since Thornhill’s resignation. City Treasurer Dan Fisher, however, pointed out the city had received five applications for Thornhill’s vacated position.

Ald. Landon Pettit asserted that hiring someone other than Loftus could put the city in a “really bad spot” if it considers layoffs in the near future. The lake has two permanent employees, one full-time and one part-time, plus occasional seasonal employees. Hiring another employee for the full-time spot, while leaving Loftis in his part-time job, could force the city to layoff the more senior employee in the event of layoffs. 

“He’s already doing the job,” Pettit said, recommending the mayor hire Loftis at least on a trial basis.

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“We have talked about downsizing,” Ald. Rauzi said. “To me the most reasonable thing would be” to promote Loftis to full-time.

Barrett acknowledged the five applications the city received for the job but suggested they be considered a pool from which to hire a replacement for Loftis, adding he would like to have someone hired son.

Fisher suggested referring the issue back to committee to make a recommendation to Hicks with power to act. “You could have it done in seven days,” he said.

PAY INCREASES

By unanimous vote, the council approved a resolution increasing wages for non-union city employees. 

Under terms of the resolution, wages are increased to $16 per hour for part-time and seasonal workers for the street, sewer and water departments workers, as well as part-time and seasonal workers at Gillespie Lake. Within the City Clerk’s Office, the deputy city clerk will be paid $24.69 per hour, and the deputy collector will be paid $19.35 per hour, while an extra clerk and janitorial workers will earn $16 per hour. Wages for the building inspector increases to $49.69 per hour when conducting occupancy inspections, and $18.47 when administering building permit inspections. The resolution sets the Chief of Police’s annual salary at $73,040.

STREETSCAPE PROJECT

Treasurer Dan Fisher reported the council should be able to take action on accepting a contract next month for the long-awaited downtown Streetscape Project introduced in 2019. He said he and other city officials have met with engineers from Curry and Associates to finalize plans for the project, and the project is now out for bids. A pre-bid conference is expected in about two weeks, and bids will be due before the council’s next meeting in March.

Jointly initiated by Grow Gillespie, a civic improvement group, and the City of Gillespie, the $4.5 million streetscape project includes lighting, landscaping and parking improvements in the downtown commercial area with an eye toward stimulating economic growth. 

Ald. Bob Fritz briefly questioned whether electrical outlets on new light poles will be capable of being locked.

“You know how kids are,” Fritz said. “I don’t want to be responsible for some kid getting electrocuted.”

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Fisher said the outlets are GFI outlets with covers, though the covers are not lockable. He said the outlets comply with current safety standards and can be turned on or off by the city.

DERELICT PROPERTY

Upon the City Attorney’s advice, the council voted to sell a nuisance property at 301 E. Maple St. to Kevin and Kayla Thornhill with the provision the couple will abate the nuisance. Verticchio said the city discovered it could acquire the property for resale for less than what it would cost to pursue the nuisance in court. Because the property is involved in litigation, Verticchio said the city was free to sell the house without seeking bids.

UNITY BAPTIST CHURCH

Pastors Jared DePoppe and Dane Solari, of Trinity Baptist Church and First Baptist Church, respectively, appeared before the council to announce the two churches have merged to form Unity Baptist Church. Solari said the move mends a split between two local Baptist congregations dating back 55 years. Since the change represents a reunification, he said the new congregation chose the new name, Unity.

Going forward, worship services will be held at the former Trinity Baptist Church, 502 S. Macoupin St. The First Baptist Church, 820 Broadway, will be used for other ministries sponsored by the church.

PARK UPDATE

Ald. Pettit informed the council that city crews have removed old playground equipment from Big Brick Park and prepared the site to install new playground equipment. The new equipment should be installed by the end of March. The older equipment removed from Big Brick, he said, will probably be installed at Welfare Park.

Electrical work, park benches and other work at Big Brick should be completed by May, Pettit reported.

OTHER ACTION

In other action, the council:

• Authorized the Police Department to spend $1,200 from its DUI fund to acquire two new handheld radar units. Police Chief Jared DePoppe said the city’s radar units are certified every six months, The last certification cycle revealed that three existing units are no longer effective and had to be removed from service.
• Voted to spend $1,509 for a computer, software and printer to be used at the Lake Store.
• Voted to donate $200 to the Partnership for Educational Excellence.

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