James Marcacci

Jim grew up in Sawyerville, Illinois, and attended the Benld school system before graduating from Gillespie High School. He earned his undergraduate degree from Eastern Illinois University and a master's from Southern Illinois University. Jim taught business classes at Gillespie High School for thirty-four years, and for six of those years he also founded and operated the school's student-run television program, WGHS-TV, which broadcast over the local cable provider. After retiring in 2001, he co-founded a video production business, creating projects for businesses, local organizations and families, his two YouTube documentaries on the Coliseum Ballroom have drawn significant attention. A lifelong student of local history, especially the hidden stories of Benld, Jim began searching the area with his friend John Ubben. When John passed after laying the groundwork for a book on Benld's past, Jim promised to finish what they had started. Benld & the Booze Gang is the result of that promise and years of dedicated research.