Museum discussion leads to outbursts during Marseilles City Council meeting

The former Illinois Valley Cellular building and site of the Middle East Conflicts Memorial Wall and Museum, located at 200 Riverfront Drive, became a tumultuous topic during Wednesday’s Marseilles City Council meeting.

Jim Buckingham, commissioner of public property, asked the council – after reading a portion of the purchase agreement – if the museum was now city property.

The council approved the $1.35 million purchase of the building and 6 acres of surrounding grounds, including the Middle East Conflicts Wall, in November 2023 for a new city hall and police station.

Mayor Jim Hollenbeck said Cantlin law firm attorney Keith Leigh sent an email noting that the sale was confidential and it should not be discussed in public. City Attorney Christina Cantlin was not present.

The comment immediately spurred a reaction from the crowd, and Michael Scheib, commissioner of streets, asked Hollenbeck for clarification.

“Did you say we were not allowed to speak about it?” he said.

Hollenbeck began to answer when Scheib interrupted and said, “I’m sorry, Attorney Leigh, please.”

Hollenbeck banged his gavel.

“I just addressed Attorney Leigh with a fair question,” Scheib said.

“Be professional,” Hollenbeck said.

After more discourse, Leigh clarified the emails that were sent, saying there were “quite a few issues” that need to be addressed before they could give a final opinion as to personal property versus museum.

“Bottom line is, and I think everyone here will agree, we don’t want that stuff down there,” Hollenbeck said.

This caused another reaction from the crowd and some council members. Hollenbeck clarified.

“The city does not want ownership of it,” he said.

Hollenbeck said the city would find a way to make sure that everything that was left would be declared property of the museum.

During the public comment period, resident Denise Parini asked the council why the city had not properly filed tax-exempt status on 200 Riverfront Drive, forcing the city and, thus its residents, to cut a $78,863.26 check to La Salle County in 2024.

“A tax-supported body should not be paying taxes, as it’s counterproductive. Is the tax-exempt status properly filed?” Parini said.

In response to Parini’s comments, Hollenbeck referred the matter to the city attorney, as they “had kind of anticipated” this question.

Leigh said he was not specifically familiar with the situation, but Cantlin law firm was not representing the city at the time of the acquisition.

Hollenbeck said the city attorney at that time was Richard Burton, and he should have filled the tax-exempt status.

After some discussion from the council and Parini, Hollenbeck said the issue would be resolved and the city’s payment would be returned after it was “straightened out.”