Community News
Gillespie Council adopts burning ordinance, approves Benld police protection agreement
The Gillespie City Council voted Monday night to approve a new ordinance to govern the burning of yard waste, and inked a long-awaited agreement to continue providing police protection services to the City of Bend. Additionally, Council members approved a conditional use permit for a proposed 40-acre solar energy field on Henderson Road but declined to override the Zoning Board’s decision to deny a petition to rezone a property on Southern Street from residential use to commercial.
The new burning ordinance supercedes all previous ordinances regarding public burning by city residents. The new ordinance bans the burning of household trash, agricultural waste or garbage. Landscaping waste can be burned during daylight hours, roughly 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. depending upon the season, any day except Sunday, Monday and federal holidays. Landscape waste may be burned only upon the premises where it was generated; burning on city streets, rights-of-way, boulevards or ditches is prohibited. Residents may not burn landscape waste during times when it could cause visibility issues on city streets. Further, the Police Chief and/or Fire Chief may ban burning during times when open burning would pose a hazard.
The ordinance requires all fires to be supervised by a person 18 years old or older, and requires all such fires to be extinguished by sundown.
Violating the new ordinance could result in a fine of $100 to $250.
Mayor Landon Pettit has pushed for the new ordinance for at least the last two months, noting that the city code book contained a hodgepodge of regulations aimed at open burning, some of which conflicted with one another.
The new ordinance does not prohibit recreational burning, such as fire pits.
BENLD POLICE CONTRACT
On a motion by Ald. Dona Rauzi, seconded by Ald. Frank Barrett, the council voted unanimously to approve a new two-year contract to provide police protection services to the City of Bend at a cost of $350,000 for the first year of services. The cost for the second year is subject to negotiations between the two parties, contingent on the City of Gillespie providing documentation of increased cost for providing the service.
Under the new contract, Benld will pay $29,167 per month—$9,000 more than the $20,000 the city paid under the former five-year contract that expired April 30. Both parties agreed to extend the old contract to July 30 while negotiations continued between the two cities. Part of the increase is related to requiring Benld to subsidize a pro-rated portion of Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund contributions for officers assigned to Bend. The contract also provides for the scheduling of meetings between the two parties to resolve issues arising during the course of the contract. It also provides for renegotiating pricing mid-term if Gillespie chooses to provide police protection to additional satellite communities.
The new contract is effective Aug. 1, assuming the City of Benld also approves the agreement at its July 21 meeting of the council.
PLUM STREET IMPROVEMENTS
The council gave Mayor Pettit power act in regard to entering into an agreement with Community Unit School District 7 and the City of Gillespie to make improvements to Plum Street between Kelly Street and Western Avenue. The street has been somewhat controversial since last August when the school district rerouted bus traffic onto Plum Street in order to facilitate synchronizing starting and ending times at all three attendance centers. The increased bus traffic, however, resulted in significant degradation of the street, which was not designed to withstand heavy vehicle traffic.
During its June meeting, the CUSD 7 Board of Education voted to commit nearly $90,000 in anticipated Climate and Equitable Jobs Act grant money to cost-share the Plum Street project with the City of Gillespie. Mayor Pettit said city crews have already replaced a troublesome culvert with a dual culvert better equipped to handle the volume of water. During that project, it was discovered that there was at least five inches of fall available, enabling the city to reconfigure the ditch and alleviate drainage issues on school property.
Earlier estimates estimated the cost of the Plum Street improvement project at nearly $250,000, which would include removing existing surfaces, increasing the thickness of the base and resurfacing.
Pettit said the project is not likely to be done by the time school opens next month, but buses can temporarily be rerouted to other streets so the school district can retain an synchronized class schedule district-wide.
In a related matter, on a motion by Ald. Wendy Rolando, the council voted unanimously to apply for an Illinois Department of Transportation Safe Route to School grant. Former City Treasurer Dan Fisher said the two-part grant program includes a 100 percent grant for infrastructure plus a cost-share grant for programative costs. Fisher said the city would have to retain an engineer to design the project if the grant application is successful.
The project would include ADA-compliant sidewalk improvements and other amenities to “create infrastructure that makes it safer for students to walk or bike to school.”
After several months of discussion, the council also approved an ordinance to ban parking on the west side of LJ Avenue from Broadway south for a distance of 200 feet. The measure is expected to reduce congestion and improve safety, particularly during CUSD 7 sporting events. The measure eliminates parking in the vicinity of a vehicular entrance and pedestrian entrance to the school’s athletic complex.
Earlier in the meeting, City Librarian Steve Joyce addressed the board about the condition of the Chestnut Street in front of the the City Library.
“That’s the worst block in the city,” Joyce said. “You have a public building in a high traffic area. It’s kind of embarrassing.”
Both Mayor Petit and Ald. Bob Fritz, who chairs the Street Committee, said the street is a priority.
Fritz said he wanted to do the street during last year’s Motor Fuel Tax program but opted against it because of potential sewer improvements scheduled under the street. “I didn’t want to spend all that money and then have to rip it out,” Fritz said. Pettit noted street improvement also has been delayed by pedestrian crossing on all four corners of the nearest intersection are awaiting a project to make them ADA-compliant.
ZONING ISSUES
Following a presentation from Margaret Blum, representing Sol Source Power, the council unanimously approved a conditional use permit to temporarily rezone agricultural land on Henderson Road as commercial land. The measure paves the way for development of the 40-acre Willis Solar 1 solar panel array.
Located at 16678 Three-Mile Road near Henderson, the project will comprise 10,416 solar modules and generate 10,400,000 kilowatt hours annually—enough to power more than 866 homes.
With a new mayor and a newly appointed alderman in place, the Gillespie City Council on Monday night voted 5-1 to approve the city Zoning Board’s recommendation to issue a conditional use permit for Sol Source Power to develop a 57.5-acre solar energy field located southwest of the city.
Sol Source Power, with offices in Troy, New York, and Chicago, plans to build solar field on land leased from property owners Larry and Susan Willis at 16678 Three Mile Road. Willis Solar 1 will have 10,416 solar modules and generate 10,400,000 kilowatt hours every year—enough to power more than 866 homes. Though the property is technically located outside the city limits, it is within a 1.5-mile buffer zone subject to municipal zoning codes.
Construction is expected to begin in October and continue through February 2026.
Council members also voted unanimously to concur with the Zoning Board’s recommendation to make the commercial designation for 206 W. Spruce permanent. The city previously approved a conditional use permit for the site of The Barracks Restaurant. The owner has the property up for sale and asked to make the temporary permit permanent to facilitate the sale of the property.
“I don’t foresee that that property will ever be used for residential again,” Mayor Pettit said.
The council balked, however, at a request to rezone property at 201 Southern Street from residential to commercial. Property owner Jake Taylor had begun a PowerPoint presentation to argue that the zoning change to allow him to build self-storage units would benefit the city, when City Attorney Rick Verticchio interrupted to point out the Zoning Board had recently rejected Taylor’s petition.
Verticchio reported the previous owner told Taylor the property was zoned for commercial use when Taylor bought the property. Several neighbors reportedly attended the Zoning Board meeting to object to the zoning change.
Taylor argued that it’s unlikely anyone will build a house on the vacant lot located behind the Dollar General Store. “If someone was going to build a house there, they would have done it by now,” he said. He said he currently pays $268 in property taxes on the parcel but, based on taxes collected on other nearby properties with storage units, taxes would increase by $1,380—benefitting the city with additional revenue. Moreover, he said there is a need for more storage units in the city. Existing storage units are full and the nearest alternatives are located in Litchfield.
“That’s my ward,” Ald. Bill Hayes said. “All the people I talked to, they don’t want a storage unit in their neighborhood.”
“For this council to go against the Zoning Board and go against our residents, that doesn’t make good sense,” said Mayor Pettit. “I want to do everything I can to bring in new businesses but not at the risk of angering residents.”
The council was silent later when Pettit asked for a motion to rezone the property.
OSLAD GRANT
Council members voted unanimously to again apply for a $6,000 Open Spaces Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to fund improvements at Welfare Park. An application filed last year was unsuccessful. Since that time, the city has made some improvements, including new bleachers and playground equipment, that were included in the original grant application.
The original grant application also sought money for a new ball diamond, sidewalks and a dog park.
Fisher told the council the city should contact IDNR to see how the agency scored the application last year in order to tweak the new application to improve chances for the grant to be awarded.
SURPLUS PROPERTY SALE
With one alderman voting “present,” the council agreed to sell a surplus one-acre parcel at the north end of Frey Street to Larry Schmidt for $5,000. The landlocked parcel, once the site of the Gillespie Elevator Co., was once a part of the Schmidt family’s 150-acre agricultural field. Neighbors on either side of the parcel had no interest in buying it.
The measure was approved with Ald. Rolando voting “present.”
The council also voted unanimously to acquire a lot at Clinton and Oak streets at a cost of $6,500 for the Street Department to use for materials storage.
NEW LAKE LOTS
The council voted 5-1 to create five new lots at the Old and New Gillespie lakes. Lake Chair Barrett originally proposed adding 10 lots, with at least four at the New Lake and five at the Old Lake.
“Before you start, I’m 100 percent against out there,” Mayor Pettit said. However, he said, the locations Barrett proposed actually did lend themselves to additional lots.
Barrett argued that additional lots are needed, in part, because there is a waiting list of 18 applicants wanting to lease lake lots. Demand for lots has been exceptionally high, he said, since the COVID pandemic.
Barrett initially moved to add up to 10 new lots, but amended his motion when Pettit recommended reducing the number to five.
Alds. Barrett, Rolando, Hayes, Fritz and J.Q. Halteman voted in favor of the measure while Ald. Dona Rauzi cast the sole negative vote. Alds. Dave Link and Janet Odell-Mueller were absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
In addition to Blum, Joyce and Taylor, Stacey Hart appeared before the council to again register a complaint about blockages on public sidewalks in her neighborhood on Park Avenue. She said the last time she complained to the council, she was told to contact the police.
“I did that and they basically laughed at me,” she said.
Police Chief Jared DePoppe asked for the name of the officer she contacted. “You say he laughed at you?” DePoppe asked
“Well, he giggled,” said Hart.
DePoppe said he would investigate because he would not condone officers treating citizens disrespectfully, but he also pointed out Hart has contacted police 338 times and “we have responded to each and every one.”
Hart, who is disabled and uses a motorized scooter for mobility, said she encounters cars parked on sidewalks, debris on sidewalks and damaged sidewalks. The officer reportedly told her to report it every time she encounters an obstacle. “I don’t know how you do that when there’s something every two feet,” she continued.
Mayor Pettit said he would give Hart’s photos to the Police Department for further action if warranted. In the meantime, he said the city is working to make sidewalks and crossings ADA-compliant citywide. “To make everything ADA compliant at the same time would take our whole appropriation for the next two years,” he said. “We have until 2037 to become compliant citywide. It’s going to take some time.”
Hart said she has a spinal disease that eventually will require her to use a wheelchair. In the meantime, she said she enjoys being outside and walking her dog. “I’d like to enjoy my time while I have it,” she said.
Pettit agreed to discuss the matter with police but reminded Hart, “a lot of the time, people don’t get the response they want.”
Council members also heard from Eric Jenkins who announced that he and his wife plan to open an ice cream and hot dog shop in the former location of Jewelry, Gifts and More. He said he is working to get the building ready and has rented an upstairs apartment to a tenant.
“We’ll take all the Main Street businesses we can get,” Pettit said. “Those old buildings were built at a time when business owners had their businesses downstairs, and the family lived upstairs. That doesn’t happen anymore, so what you’re doing is exactly what we want to see.”
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
• Approved expenditures totaling $1,528 for Ageless Apparel to create and install new signage on the new Police Station and move an existing sign from its former location.
• Approved a $4,850 change order for work being done by Watson Contracting on the City Hall/Civic Center complex.
• Approved the expenditure of $500 from the Municipal Band Fund to pay for entertainment for the Dec. 7 Seniors Christmas Dinner at the Civic Center. Ald. Rauzi said she is working with a musician who plans to donate the fee to the VFW.
• Agreed to sponsor a hole during the Gillespie Fire Department annual golf tournament at a cost of $100.
• Approved the purchase of an oxygen meter for the Sewer Department at cost of $2,362.65.
• Agreed to donate $500 to Kid Kare, a local organization that provides book bags and school supplies for underprivileged students. “I wish we could do a whole lot more,” Pettit said.
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Ye Olde Christmas is the theme of the Macoupin County Historical Society’s annual Christmas Show, which will be held Friday through Sunday, December 5–7, at the John C. Anderson Home and Museum, 920 West Breckenridge in Carlinville.
“The Christmas Show is one of the most magical times to visit the Anderson Home,” said MCHS Board Member and House Manager Brandy England. “Some families make it an annual Christmas tradition to visit the Anderson Home when it is decorated for Christmas. It’s a great opportunity to get into the Christmas spirit and pick up some ideas for decorating your own home for the holidays.”
MCHS member Kendra Mize, of Bunker Hill, who has coordinated the decorating effort for more than two decades, has again marshalled a small army of volunteers to decorate all 13 rooms of the home. Each room features a themed Christmas tree, along with mantle pieces, centerpieces, tabletop decor, garlands and florals, and other special touches.
The home will be open for self-guided tours from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, December 5; from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, December 6; and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 7.
“We’re very excited to offer for the first time candlelight tours from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday,” said Shawna Ashby, who serves as a co-manager with England. “Viewing the decorated home by candlelight promises to be a magical experience.”
The final candlelight tours on Friday and Saturday start at 7:30 p.m. Admission to the home is five dollars for adults and one dollar for children ages five to 12, with four-year-olds and younger admitted free of charge.
The Anderson Home Gift Shop will be open during tour hours, offering one-of-a-kind gift items and stocking stuffers. Santa Claus will be on hand in the downstairs parlor to greet children and listen to their Christmas wishes from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 6.
While the decorated home is the centerpiece of the Christmas Show, several other features on the Historical Society’s grounds will be open. The Red Barn will be open and serving hearty beef stew, chili, homemade pies, and warming holiday beverages such as wassail and hot chocolate on Friday and Saturday.
The General Store and Print Shop will be decorated and open to the public, with the Print Shop offering its popular handmade Christmas cards and other items produced in the shop; kids can print their own blank “Santa List” to keep track of their Christmas wishes.
“The General Store offers unique gift items, including some small antiques, for shoppers to peruse,” England noted.
Local blacksmiths will demonstrate their craft in the MCHS Blacksmith Shop located on the north side of the Historical Society Grounds, with wrought iron gift items, including stocking hooks and decorative pieces, available for purchase.
The Macoupin County Historical Society’s Christmas Show runs concurrently with the Carlinville Christmas Market and Downtown Christmas events, and a free trolley and shuttle buses include the Anderson Home as a regular stop during the festivals, enabling visitors to ride from the square or the Macoupin County Fairgrounds to the Historical Society grounds.
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Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night voted to approve a property tax levy request totaling $3,920,295 for 2025 property taxes payable in 2026. Because of tax caps and other factors, however, the district expects to collect only an estimated $3,786,607 of the requested amount.
In addition to acting on the tax levy, the board also held a lengthy discussion regarding annual district “report cards” issued by the Illinois State Board of Education to assess school performance from last year, approved a high school band/choir performance trip to Chicago in March, and agreed to apply for a school maintenance grant of up to $50,000 in matching funds.
The new proposed levy exceeds last year’s tax extension of $3,599,569 by more than $320,726—an increase of about nine percent if the levy were to be approved at the county level. The more realistic anticipation of $3,786,607 exceeds last year’s extension by $187,038, or an increase of about three percent. A Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL), approved by Macoupin County voters in 1995, restricts increases in the levy to five percent or the federal Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is less. This year’s CPI is estimated at 2.9 percent.
The approved levy seeks $1,650,000 for the Education Fund while expecting to realize $1,653,831; $450,229 for Operations & Maintenance, while anticipating $438,041; $200,000 for Transportation while expecting $180,434; $35,000 for Working Cash while expecting $42,602; $174,700 for the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund while anticipating $117,788; $154,101 for Social Security while expecting $105, 248; $247,264 for Tort while anticipating $240,570; and $33,501 for Special Education while expecting $32,593. For Bond and Interest, which is not subject to PTELL, the district is levying $975,500 while anticipating the same amount.
Local property tax revenue accounts for about 20 percent of the district’s overall annual budget.
Because the levy request exceeds 105 percent of the previous year’s extension, a public hearing is required. That hearing is scheduled at the start of the board’s regular December meeting at 6 p.m., Monday, Dec. 15. In the meantime, the proposed levy is available for public inspection on the district’s website and in the district office.
Using a PowerPoint presentation, Owsley emphasized the levy request is essentially a wish list for what the district would like to raise through property taxes.
“The levy is the ‘Christmas list’ I talk about every year,” Owsley said. “If you don’t put it on the list, you’re not going to get it.”
Projecting what the district can legally seek under tax caps can be challenging because the district’s total equalized assessed valuation will not be confirmed until after Jan. 1 while state law requires the district to file its levy request before the end of December. For that reason, local school districts routinely file requests that exceed what they actually expect to receive in property tax revenue, and rely on the County Clerk to adjust the request to the maximum amount the district can receive.
“Because of tax caps, we have one shot to capture increases in the EAV and new construction,” Owsley said. “If we don’t do that, we lose it in perpetuity.”
To calculate the new levy, Owsley projected a 15.12 percent increase in the EAV—nearly double the previous year’s rate of increase. By overestimating the EAV growth, the district expects to capture the entire increase in assessed valuation when that number is finally determined.
“Even though we know the EAV will likely be around the historical average, we base our levy on a much higher amount so as not to lose revenue from new growth,” Owsley told the board. “We can do this without running the risk of overtaxing taxpayers because the district will receive no more than what we are entitled to by law.”
Owsley said relatively stable increases in EAV have resulted in a steadily declining tax rate. Since 2014 when the rate was $4.24 per $100 in EAV, the rate has fallen to $3.20 for 2024. In other words, the county can use a lower rate to generate the extension to which the district is entitled because the value of taxable property has increased.
“As long as the EAV goes up by more than the Consumer Price Index, our tax rates are going to go down,” Owsley noted.
SCHOOL DISTRICT REPORT CARDS
The board spent several minutes discussing recently released school report cards issued by the Illinois State Board of Education. Interested persons can view local report cards by visiting https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/.
All three attendance centers received a “Commendable” designation, meaning there are no student groups that are underperforming academically, and the high school graduation rate exceeds 67 percent. Last year, BenGil Elementary School achieved an “Exemplary” designation—the top designation a school can achieve.
Elementary Principal Angela Sandretto said administrators knew the school would not earn an Exemplary rating, even though students are state average in English/language arts, math and science. The Report Card designations are based on growth rather than academic performance. With students already exceeding state standards last year, the opportunity for growth was limited.
Assistant Principal Tara Cooper agreed, noting BenGil Elementary’s student performance is in the upper half of schools statewide that are meeting academic standards. “So, while we are not ‘Exemplary,’ we’re very happy with where we are.”
Supt. Owsley told the board the State Board of Education is working on revamping the assessment system because of the growth vs. performance issue. “That’s why they’re redoing all of this because they are penalizing schools for meeting goals,” he said.
For Gillespie Middle School, the report card shows students meeting or exceeding state averages in math and science but significantly lagging in English/language arts.
“ELA is our most concerning area,” Principal Patrick McGinthy told the board, “along with absenteeism.” The report card shows a chronic absenteeism rate of 25 percent, but Owsley and other administrators said the rate is exacerbated by the State Board of Education including nearly all absences whether or not they are excused.
Rosentreter noted the State Board will allow a student to be absent five days for illness without a doctor’s excuse. On the sixth day, however, the absence is unexcused unless the parent or guardian provides a doctor’s slip. Many parents, however, are reluctant to pay for a doctor’s visit for a child that is suffering from a minor illness.
McGinthy said Middle School teachers are attempting to address the deficiency in English/language arts by increasing writing exercises and requiring students to write in conjunction with other curriculum areas.
Rosentreter noted that the assessment standards for high schools differ from the standards for elementary and middle schools in that the State Board emphasizes graduation rates. For Gillespie, the graduation rate is an impressive 86 percent, though chronic absenteeism checks in at 31 percent.
“Math is definitely our shining star,” Rosentreter said, noting the school scored 17.8 points compared with the state average of 18. The school performed less well in the areas of English/language arts and science, scoring 16 points on ELA compared with the state score of 18 and 17.2 points compared with the state average of 19.
The report cards are based on results for the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) test for elementary and middle school students, and ACT scores for high school students.
Administrators said it’s difficult to motivate students to do well on state-mandated tests since the tests do not affect the student’s grade point average. To incentivize testing, Rosentreter said the high school is offering to let students skip final exams if they hit state standards on the mandated tests.
Owsley noted that the district report card documents the continuing decline in school enrollment—dropping from 1,325 seven years ago to 1,082 for the 2024-25 academic year.
“We don’t see that turning around anytime soon,” Owsley said. “It’s not just a Gillespie thing; it’s a trend for schools throughout Macoupin County.
BAND/CHOIR TRIP TO CHICAGO
Following a presentation by band/choir instructor Brad Taulbee, the board approved a high school band and choir performance tour to Chicago set for March 19-21. Taulbee said the tour company retained for the trip places emphasis on security and safety for traveling students. The company supplements hotel security with its own security personnel to monitor student rooms during the trip.
The tour includes workshop sessions at Vandercook College in downtown Chicago, and performances by the choir at the John Hancock Center and by the band at one of the city’s museums.
Taulbee said he is attempting to keep the cost affordable for participating students. Depending upon the number of students who ultimately go on the trip, he said he expects the cost to be about $739 per person. Additionally, he is lining up sponsors who can help with expenses for students who could not otherwise afford to participate.
“Security is my main concern,” said Board President Mark Hayes. “We just came back from there and seven people were shot in the area we were in.”
Taulbee said he expects to recruit seven to 10 chaperones and will ensure that the ratio of students to chaperones does not exceed 1:10.
SCHOOL MAINTENANCE GRANT
The board concurred with Supt. Owsley’s recommendation to again apply for a state School Maintenance grant of up to $50,000. The grant is a “matching” grant requiring the district to match grant funds dollar for dollar. The district has successfully applied for the grant for the past several years.
If the application is successful, Owsley said the funds will likely be used to remove asbestos-containing floor tiles in the choir room and elsewhere in the Middle School.
PERSONNEL
Following an executive session of about 40 minutes to discuss personnel and other issues, the board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Tim Wargo as an assistant high school baseball coach and post the position as vacant, and voted to appoint Wargo as the head high school baseball coach for the coming season.
In separate actions, the board approved maternity leaves for Alexis Lupkey, district paraprofessional, and Gear-Up Coordinator Jordan Bartok. Lupkey’s leave is tentatively scheduled from Dec. 8 through March 18. Bartok’s leave is expected from Dec. 12 through Jan.6.
Board members voted unanimously to hire Christopher Whaley as a substitute bus driver, pending a routine background check and documentation of certification.
The board also voted unanimously to terminate Makayla Huff as a three-hour cook and post the position as vacant.
On a motion by Bill Carter, seconded by Weye Schmidt, the board voted unanimously to rehire fall coaches as follows: Jordan Bartok as head high school girls volleyball coach with Shelsie Price, as an assistant coach; Cory Bonstead as head football coach with Nate Henrichs, Jarrod Herron, Korben Clark, Alex Jasper, J.O. Kelly, Billy Gill and Florian Seferi as assistant and volunteer assistant coaches; Jay Weber as head coach for the parent-funded high school cross-country program with Jack Burns as a volunteer assistant coach; Jake Kellebrew as head coach for the parent-funded high school golf program, with Michael Otten as a volunteer assistant coach; Tim Wargo as head middle school baseball coach with Trae Wargo as assistant coach; Michelle Smith as head middle school softball coach with Jim Matesa, Joe Kelly and Melissa Heigert as assistant coaches; and Liz Thackery as head coach for the parent-funded middle school cross-country program with Laura Peterson as a volunteer assistant coach.
DISTRICT FOCUS
During a District Focus segment, Supt. Owsley introduced newly hired School Resource Officer Jacob Linhart, and High School Principal provided a report with photos of a recent school-wide Veterans Day observance.
Linhart, who has served five years as a police officer on the Gillespie Police Department, replaces Wade Hendricks, who recently retired after serving three years as the CUSD 7 School Resource Officer.
Linhart said it is a “great privilege” to serve as a Resource Officer, protecting students and staff. “I’m honored that you guys are allowing me to do it,” he said.
High School Principal Rosentreter said the school served breakfast to about 200 veterans and their families Tuesday morning, Nov. 11. Later, the veterans were joined by nearly 700 high school and middle school students for a recognition ceremony in the high school gymnasium.
Since the event coincided with the 25th anniversary of CUSD 7’s Wall of Honor program, the annual event did double duty as an induction ceremony for five are individuals, all of whom happened to be U.S. Military veterans.
The inductees included the late Sergeant Major John Marion Malnar, Command Sergeant Major John “Jack” Burns, Colonel Mark Daley, Lieutenant Colonel William P. Falke and Captain Robert Leone. Rosentreter said Daley and Leone traveled with their families from Colorado and Texas, respectively, to attend the ceremonies.
Burns, a retired CUSD 7 teacher, later visited BenGil Elementary School to present a program and teach students how to properly fold an American flag.
Rosentreter recognized the City of Gillespie for a donation of $1,000 to help purchase food for the veterans.
Born in Benld and a resident of Sawyerville, “Big John” Malnar earned a Silver Star during the Korean Conflict and a Gold Star, awarded posthumously after he was killed in action in 1968 in Vietnam. A Marine training center at Camp Geiger in North Carolina is named in his honor.
Though not a Wall of Honor inductee, Jacob Miller, a 100-year-old World War II veteran and recipient of two Purple Hearts, was recognized with a standing ovation.
The annual Veterans Day breakfast and ceremony provides students with an opportunity to meet and recognize local veterans as potential role models for their own futures.
Owsley said the event is a major event on the district’s calendar which grew out of a simple flagpole ceremony initiated 25 years ago.
CEJA GRANT FUNDS
Board members briefly discussed plans for about $74,000 in anticipated Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) grant funds. The federal program is intended to compensate communities that have experienced revenue loss as a result of coal mine closures.
Owsley said the district committed about $86,000 in last year’s CEJA grant funds to the City of Gillespie to help pay for improvements to Plum Street, which is heavily used by district school buses. He has not transferred those funds, however, pending the start of the project.
Owsley said he was seeking the board’s input on how the money should be used.
“We could continue to partner with the city on Plum Street,” he said. “But there are plenty of project areas within the school.” The money could be used, for example, for continuing asbestos abatement. He identified other upcoming needs, including a new roof for the high school/middle school and an HVAC project.
President Hayes pointed out the school district paid for improvements to Kelly Street when BenGil Elementary was built and subsidized a project to reconfigure drainage on Broadway Street, in addition to the dollars committed for Plum Street.
“The school district is not in the business of building roads,” he said. “I think we’ve been more than generous with the city.”
Board member Peyton Bernot agreed the money should be committed for use by the school district.
TRIPLE I CONFERENCE
Several board members who attended a conference for board members and administrators Friday-Saturday, Nov. 21-23, in Chicago, commented briefly about their take-aways from conference sessions. Popularly known as the Triple I Conference, the convention is sponsored by the Illinois Association of School Boards, Illinois Association of School Administrators and the Illinois Association of School Business Officials.
Owsley said more than 700 Illinois school districts were represented, making the Triple I the largest gathering of education professionals in North America.
Bernot briefly reported on a session he attended regarding upcoming legislation and financial outlooks for school districts. He described the session as “much less optimistic” than sessions he’s attended in the past.
Owsley was among the convention presenters, discussing social-emotional learning. He commented that several districts attending reported efforts to involve students in school administrators. Some districts, he said, appointed a non-voting student representative to the school board to take part in discussions directly affecting students.
“When you think about it, we hear from faculty members and we hear from parents,” Hayes commented. “The people we don’t hear from are the most important part of what we do.”
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The Holiday Sparkle Committee of Gillespie is preparing for the 4th Annual Holiday Sparkle Lighted Parade and Community Tree Lighting, set for Sunday, November 30, at 6:00 p.m. in downtown Gillespie. This beloved community tradition invites residents and visitors to kick off the holiday season with lights, music, and festive cheer.
Food trucks will line the parade route starting at 4:00 p.m., offering a variety of tasty options for families to enjoy before and during the celebration. The event will culminate in the illuminated parade and the ceremonial lighting of the community tree, signaling the official start of the season’s celebrations.
A highlight of this year’s festivities will be a special performance by Gillespie area students in grades 3 through 5. The group will join together to sing Christmas carols, lending their voices to the town’s joyous welcome to the holidays.
Parade participants are invited to bring extra sparkle to the evening—whether by entering a parade float, walking in the parade, or simply attending to enjoy the atmosphere. Participation helps make the event truly magical for the entire community. The only requirement for the parade is all entries have to incorporate holiday lighting.
To join the parade lineup, interested participants can sign up at https://forms.gle/L7Q4tEkgjj8Lt5E47. The Holiday Sparkle Committee expresses gratitude for the ongoing support of residents, businesses, and volunteers who help bring this festive occasion to life each year.
The second part of the holiday festivities will take place on Saturday, December 13 when the Sparkle will sponsor the vendor fair and food trucks in downtown Gillespie including a visit from Santa. Vendors will be located in the Gillespie Civic Center, Zion Lutheran Church, and Emma G’s Upscale Boutique while local businesses and eateries will also be open. An egg nog jog benefitting Gillespie Cross Country will also be held on December 13 and interested participants can join here.
The Holiday Sparkle Committee invites everyone to mark their calendars and join in the celebration. For more information, please contact the committee by email at gillespieholidaysparkle@gmail.com or visit Gillespie Holiday Sparkle on Facebook.
