Controversy continues to brew over new police station in Shiloh. Here’s the latest

Funding a new police station took a step forward when Mayor Robert Weilmuenster broke a 3-3 tie at the Shiloh Village Board meeting Monday.

The approved resolution committed $1.2 million of the capital projects fund balance for the construction of a police station.

Trustees in favor were Jason Holzum, Greg O’Neil, and Colleen Powers. Those opposed were Kurt Burrelsman, Julia Warchol and Matt Wilke.

For 13 years, the village has rented a building on the Wilke Window and Door property at 3498 Lebanon Ave. in Shiloh for the police. Currently, the rent is $45,459 per year, and goes up 2.5% annually, the mayor said.

The need for a larger Shiloh Police Station has been a growing issue in the village and Weilmuenster has supported using the fund balance for construction as well as applying for grant money.

However, the plan has become embroiled in controversy related to the village’s sewer system and a development proposal. The village sold its wastewater department to Illinois American Water Company for $3.6 million in 2020, adding 1,515 wastewater customers.

Trustee Greg O’Neil said the village wasn’t making any money on it.

“We broke even,” he said. “We had 600 people on aeriation.”

O’Neil said $1.8 million remains from the sale, and the current mayor wants it to go towards funding a new police station. O’Neil, who has been a trustee for eight years and is retiring, was a police officer for 10 years before that.

But former Mayor Jim Vernier II — who is seeking a seat on the village board — and businessman Steve Wilke want the funds to be used for sewers on Ramona and Christine streets, abutting Wilke’s property on Green Mount Road.

Vernier II, who was mayor for 20 years and a trustee for 16 years prior to that, said on his Facebook page that when the village sold its sewer department, the funds were to support improvements to the sewer system and that other areas in the village would be added, with costs minimal.

About this development proposal, he stated: “We also are offering them guaranteed treatment instead of aeration systems that require semi-annual maintenance. Repairs to several storm water drainage ways were also being considered. The funds we are talking about are $1.8 million plus interest.”

Weilmuenster said after the village privatized sewers, they do not make such monetary decisions.

“You can’t spend taxpayer money on sewers — that’s a private company. We have many different things in our toolbox. We’re not putting sewers in, not the village. If American Water wants to, that’s their decision,” the mayor said.

O’Neil said the information is public record.

“There is nothing on record stating that money was to go for sewers. Brenda (Village Clerk Brenda Kern) even went back in the minutes and looked it up,” O’Neil said.

“Their plan would only help 45 homes and Wilke. It’s not up to us to fix the sewers. Everybody knows we’ve outgrown our police station. There is false information being spread. This is not helping the village. We can use those profits for the village,” O’Neil said.

Shiloh’s population in the 2020 Census was 14,098 in 2020. Spanning over 11 miles, Shiloh has a population density of 1,318 people per square mile. It has grown from a few thousand people in the 1980s and has become a hub of commerce as well.

Police Station Inadequate

The police station employs 23, including two clerks.

“Leasing the building is not adequate. We are in bad need of a police station. People are not getting the facts,” Weilmuenster said.

The mayor and police chief recently explained the lack of inadequate space — no room for training or if the major case squad is called in, and no sally port — a secure, controlled entry way to escort prisoners through privately.

Police Chief Rich Wittenauer, who has been with the village since 2017, said the facility was built as a home, and a holding cell is a closet.

“We need more room for tech, more staff. In the interview room, you can hear officers talking about others over the phone,” he said.

More from the chief, mayor

“We do a lot with very little. We get a lot of support from the community,” Wittenauer said.

Wittenauer noted, with the Auffenberg car dealerships relocating to Shiloh, there is a need for extra patrols, and there is more traffic in the village because of growth.

“A good facility helps retain and attract new officers,” Weilmuenster said.

The mayor said he discovered grant money could be used, and the village will pursue applications. One expired March 12 because he said the village board tabled action at the March 6 meeting.

Weilmuenster had broken a 3-all tie at the Committee at Large meeting March 27 to forward the item to the April 3 meeting.

More about Wilke

The Wilke complex began as a business in 1960, developed by Norm Wilke. The property also includes Norm’s Bargain Barn and Lifestyle Kitchens & Baths.

Steve Wilke, Norm’s son, is the current CEO. His son, Matthew Wilke, is a trustee on the village board. Matt Wilke has opposed using the capital fund for the police station and had been part of the March 6 vote tabling the resolution.

“We have been planning for a permanent home for the PD that I agree is needed. If the $1.8 million is redirected to this plan it is unlikely that the sewer additions will ever happen,” Vernier said. “Don’t get me wrong. I fully support a new police station. The village has various ways it could be funded.”