Woodford County Journal from Eureka, Illinois • 1

Woodford County 7 if? RNAL LIFESTYLES Eureka, Illinois O'er The Ramparts Wc Watch iKi.D i.i. 1: edition Tin- week olThmsdav, March 11, 2002 jIAI 110 Lf (QJfe li iG A Police and slates attorney quiet about case WW I i By KEVIN SIMPSON and JW SHULTS Woodford County Journal KURKKA The death of a Eureka woman found in her home March 6 has heen declared a homicide. Cherie Cillson, 34, of 409 West Court St. was found dead in her home just after 7 a.m. by her 9-year-old son.

Coroner Tim Ruestman said Thurs A'W vl i Vi W- i. 1 "Dm .1:1 I I ii! day that an autopsy revealed (iillson's death was a murder, despite the initial indication by investigators on Wednesday suggesting it was a suicide. The longer vou are at ii i SI I I W. i 1 Gillson School deals with death When Cherie Gillson's son found her body, he called his school where Principal Bill Van Meer contacted authorities. According to Van Meer, the school has been trying to deal with the death in the week since the tragedy occurred.

That day, Van Meer had a meeting with the entire staff at the school to tell them what had occurred. Later, the staff members who were more closely involved with the case gathered to speak, said Van Meer. Students are also being offered counseling. "What we have offered is an opportunity for the kids to meet with a school social worker and counselor to work through some of the issues they have," said Van Meer. Fund set up for children A benefit fund has been established for the children of a Eureka woman found murdered in her home earlier this week.

Donations can be sent to the Gillson Memorial Fund, in care of Bank Plus. P.O. Box 568, Metamora, Illinois, 61548. Uncle's business burned A Peoria business belonging to Carl Benedict, an uncle of Cherie Gillson, was set on fire only two day: at'er Gillson's murder On Friday, the office of Benedict Auto Sale on Farmington Road was set on fire and other pfoperty was vandalized. Four years since Gammon death It has been four years since Eureka's last murder.

See story on 3A. -if 1 'J HI Oiif IpP i II 'Ci a crime scene, and the more evidence you gather, yon a more clear picture about what happened," said Ruestman. lie declined to reveal any. details such as how- Cillson died. However, sources close to the case said she died Irom several knife wounds.

The boy, a third-grade student at Davenport grade school, was apparently asleep in a basement bedroom when his mother was killed. lie was unharmed and unaware of anything that happened upstairs until he found his mo, her's bud'v. State, county and city police all referred questions to Woodford County State's Attorney Mike Stroh. Stroh declined to comment on the case, saving onlv.the invest igation is in progress. Thecaseisheinghandledbyupto 15 investigators from the Illinois State Police who have questioned neighbors and (Jillson's acquaintances.

SHER GRIES Woodlord County Journal MURDERED State police investigators Robbie Frakes, and Dale King exited the home of Cherie Lynn Gillson at 409 West Court Street in Eureka. Gillson's body was round by her son on Wednesday morning. March 6 Coroner Tim Ruestman ruled the death homicide on Thursday. Police are not releasing details of her death. The next time information is ex- and would release much of the evi- lore the murder, pected to be released is it and when a denee in the case.

"She was reallv excited about start-suspect is arrested, or at the coroner's Meanw hile, Cillson as scheduled ing," said Hodge. "I was looking for-inquest, which will be at least 60 days to begin work at the Dollar Ceneral wardtohavingherbecausesheseemed troin the date of death. Store the dav alter she was murdered, like she'd he a verv good employee." Reustman said the inquest may he Robert Hotlgetore managersaid that iillson, ho grew up in Metamora, postponediftheinvestigationisongo- iillson was a frequent customer ho ihg. An inquest is public information, interviewed tor the job the week be- See MURDER on 3A mmy rays i-' hog iMM BAND The Eureka'High School band was honored by being invited to play at (he IHSA state basketball competition on Friday. Part of a building project considered by the school board would, expand the high school's music building.

Members split in 11-3 vote 1 "i or A MARK EARRA Woodford County Journal 0 4 tfitcdinisDdl.irs Mst tion letter. The letter was sent to Timo- thy Steider instead of Robert Steider. The notice is to go to the person who gets the tax bill. Knapp argued that, while Robert Steider is listed in the supervisor of assessment's office, tax records kept in the treasurer's office list Timothy Steider as the person bearing the tax burden for the 'property, and the letter was sent to him. County board member Arden Baldwin, who voted against the recommendation, said the ultimate decision will be made by a court.

"We are being placed in the position of a judge, which none of us are," saiil Baldwin. While the board voted to approve of the hog farm, some board members were ready to table to vote indefinitely. A motion to delay the issue was narrowly defeated 8 6. Joining Baldwin in voting against the hog farm were board members Bill Christ and Pete Lambie. Chairman Tom Janssen abstained from voting.

Voting in favor of the recommendation were Marcus Adams, Jim Booth, Bucher, Ellen Burton, Dave I lumphrey, Robert Huschen, Robert Hunsaker, Rodney Ruestman, Chuck Tanton, Ken LTphoff and Larry Whitaker. Darlene Imhoff, leader of the opposition group, said the next step is to See HOGS on 3A By JW SHULTS Woodford County Journal EURKKA The county board voted 11 -3 Tuesday night to support a 1 2 expansion of I Willow Farm near Roanoke. The non-binding letter of recommendation will be sent to the Illinois Department of Agriculture hich ill make the final decision on the project. The board agreed to hearcomments from both Fred Roth, attorney for the hog farm opposition, and Creg Knapp, attorney for Lone Willow ow ners Chris and Randy Leman. Roth's argument, on behalf of the Citizens' For The Protection of Rural Life, suggested that I -one Willow owners had not given proper notification to all property owners surrounding the proposed facility as is required by the Department of Agriculture.

"Peopleown property right next door to this hog farm and they never got notice," said Roth. "If people don't get notice because we can't find their address then Cod help us." He said that the Steider property, hich is co-owned by four individuals, -was not given proper notice because the wrong name was on the notifica 7 mBlIeoBi pro Effect on taxes is unclear among other things, expand the music building to the east, convert the bus garage into an agriculture classroom and shop, renovate the auditorium, locate and build a new bus garage, and upgrade the heating and air conditioning systems. Two other locations would also see work. Congerville elementary ould have a room added, as well as See PROJECT on 3A According to Superintendent Randy Crump, a meetingMvith the capital development 'suggested the district could see the entire project approved for the state school construction grant. 1 he district applied tor that grant last year and, in -July, as ranked as priority 34 out of 1(() districts approved.

The biggest part of the project is at F'ureka School which would. By JW SHULTS Woodford County Journal RFKA District 140 may pur-. suea I 5-part project estimated at $3. 7 million. Si .5 of hich would be paid for bv the state.

OBITUARIES. 9A INDEX Volume 131, No. 11 24 pages, 2 sections Eureka Insider 2A Perspectives 4A Sports Anniversaries 8A Days Past Births 8A Classifieds CONTACT US The Woodford County Journal office, 1926 S. Eureka, is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Phone: (309) 467-3314; fax: (309) 467-4563 e-mail: woodcojomtco.com Margaret Kiblinger, 81, Eureka Alice McGuire, 71. Pontiac Robert Milashoski, 75, Minonk Charles Parsons. 77, Ann Sauder, 75. Roanoke Joe Aeschleman, 73. Roanoke Charles Brooke 54.

Minonk Helen Campagne, 90. Roanoke Vera Cunningham, 95. El Paso Harry Ewert. 85, Washington Cherie Gillson, 34, Eureka 10A Vu ncit 'fuiiv (wn nvwi Ictt juiycr and.