Arson at Gillespie Building on JDC Campus – WLDS

The Morgan Scott Cass Crime Stoppers are seeking information to assist the Jacksonville Police Department, Jacksonville Fire Department and the Illinois State Fire Marshal in their investigation into the arson at the Gillespie Building on the site of the former Jacksonville Developmental Center.

On Monday morning at around 6:45 a.m., unknown persons are said to have started a fire that caused considerable damage to the building. According to police and fire department reports, there are indications inside the building that several smaller fires had been set in the recent past.

Law enforcement is asking anyone with information regarding this incident or anyone who may have entered the JDC premises without authorization to immediately report it to Jacksonville Police at 217-479-4630.

If you have any information about the arson or other suspicious fires set on the JDC property over the past 5 years, you can leave an anonymous tip online on the Morgan Scott Cass Crimestoppers Facebook page, click the “Contact” button at the top of the page, or submit a tip on the website morganscottcrimestoppers.com.

Tips can also be sent by SMS to the number 274637. The first word of the SMS tip must be “PAYOUT”.

Remember, Crime Stoppers only wants your information, not your name. If your tip leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a cash reward.