Standing room only would be an understatement when it comes to attendance at the Girard City Council's special meeting Friday.  The council delivered a vote of no confidence against Mayor Marko.  That vote has no impact on Marko's status as Mayor. 

The Girard City Council holds a special meeting tonight (Aug 14).  Let's just say it won't be your average meeting.  

1. Call meeting to order  

a. Appoint temporary Clerk  

b. Vote of no confidence in Mayor Joe Marko  

c. Mayor's response to vote of no confidence. d. Public Comment.  

e. Police Committee  

f. Closed Session to discuss police contract  

The Girard Chamber of Commerce is expressing its support for Marko.  

Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a Litchfield, Illinois man was sentenced to 23 years in prison for disseminating child sexual abuse material. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. 

Dean Beasley, 19, was sentenced today in Montgomery County Circuit Court after pleading guilty to two counts of disseminating child sexual abuse material, Class X felonies.

 

“This sentence sends the message that if you disseminate child sexual abuse material, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. It is my hope that today’s sentencing will help survivors and their families begin to heal from the trauma caused by child exploitation,” Raoul said. “I commend the work of my Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the collaboration with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s office in holding this offender accountable.”

 

In February, Raoul’s investigators, along with officers from the Illinois State Police South Central Illinois Drug Task Force, conducted a search of Beasley’s residence in Litchfield. He was taken into custody when investigators discovered evidence of child sexual abuse material.

 

Raoul’s office prosecuted this case with the assistance of the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s office.

 

“I would like to thank my staff and the members of the Illinois State Police - South Central Illinois Drug Task Force as well as members of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and its Internet Crimes Against Children investigators with the help in the prosecution to obtain justice for the most vulnerable victims and to protect them in Montgomery County as well as the state of Illinois,” said Brian Shaw, Montgomery County State's Attorney.

 

Raoul’s office, with a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, runs the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force that investigates child exploitation crimes and trains law enforcement agencies. The task force receives CyberTips, or online reports of child sexual abuse material, from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Over the last several years, CyberTipline reports have steadily increased. In 2025, reports to the ICAC Task Force increased by 45% over 2024.

Illinois’ ICAC Task Force is one of 61 ICAC task forces throughout the country and is comprised of a network of more than 200 local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Since 2019, the Attorney General’s ICAC Task Force has received more than 82,900 CyberTips and has been involved in more than 1,250 arrests of sexual predators. Since 2006, the Attorney General’s ICAC Task Force has been involved in more than 2,600 arrests of sexual predators. In 2025, the task force was involved in rescuing more than 30 child victims from ongoing abuse. The task force also has provided internet safety training and education to more than a million parents, teachers, students and more than 25,000 law enforcement professionals.

Attorney General Raoul is reminding the public that child sexual exploitation can be reported online at cybertipline.com and child abuse at dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov. In addition, local child advocacy centers can be found at childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org.

 

Senior Assistant Attorney General Nicole L. Bartell prosecuted the case for Raoul’s office. 

Nokomis Launches Innovative Small Business Competition with Downtown Building Give-Away

NOKOMIS, Ill. — In an ambitious effort to strengthen entrepreneurship, preserve historic buildings, and revitalize downtown, the volunteer-led community organization Newkomis is launching an innovative Small Business Competition unlike any other. The grand prize? An entire downtown commercial building.

Designed to remove one of the greatest barriers to business ownership, the competition will award one entrepreneur a downtown building in Nokomis to establish their business. The winning entrepreneur will also receive a comprehensive package of resources to help transform the property into a thriving destination for the community.

The City of Nokomis has committed $50,000 in matching grant funds to support building renovations, while additional in-kind donations from local businesses and partners will provide valuable professional services to help bring the winning business to life.

"This project represents the intersection of entrepreneurship, historic preservation, and community revitalization," said organizers with Newkomis. "Rather than simply filling an empty storefront, we're investing in an entrepreneur, restoring an important downtown building, and creating new energy for our community—all through one collaborative effort."

Newkomis has partnered with the Illinois Small Business Development Center for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) to provide applicants with educational workshops, one-on-one technical assistance, and expert guidance as they develop business plans, financial projections, and prepare to pitch their business ideas to members of the Nokomis community.

"The educational component is our favorite part of this initiative," organizers said. "No matter who ultimately wins the building, every applicant will leave the competition in a stronger position to launch or grow their business. They'll gain knowledge, resources, and confidence that will benefit them long after the competition concludes."

The competition aims to attract entrepreneurs with innovative business concepts while fostering long-term economic growth in Nokomis. By combining business development with downtown investment, Newkomis hopes the project will serve as a model for other rural communities seeking creative solutions to economic development challenges.

Newkomis is a grassroots organization of local volunteers committed to pursuing bold, creative initiatives that make Nokomis an exceptional place to live, work, and do business. Through collaboration, innovation, and community engagement, the organization continues to champion projects that strengthen the local economy and improve quality of life.

Applications for the Small Business Competition are now open and will conclude on September 13th. Entrepreneurs interested in competing are encouraged to apply and take advantage of the educational resources available throughout the competition.

For more information about the competition, application process, and upcoming educational workshops, visit the Nokomis Small Business Competition Facebook page or contact the City of Nokomis at 217-563-2514.

With a soggy start, Old Settler's has pushed back the parade lineup for the Kiddie Parade to 10 a.m.   

The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that a bridge improvement project on Shipman Blacktop over Macoupin Creek south of Beaver Dam State Park in Macoupin County is now underway..  

  

This project includes the deck being resurfaced, painting and other repairs. Lane closures will be required for the completion of this project. Advance signs and traffic signals will be in place to direct vehicles over the bridge. As vehicles approach the signals, they should stay in their lane all the way up to the signal stop bar and then proceed as the signals indicate. Benefits from this project include increasing the lifespan of the bridge and a smoother driving surface. Work will continue through the fall and resume in the spring with the project scheduled for completion in July 2027. 

  

Motorists can expect delays and should consider an alternate route. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment.