Illinois Department of Early Childhood Kathleen Carolyn "KC" Stralka will serve as the Assistant Secretary of Project Management & Operational Excellence of the Illinois Department of Early Childhood.* Stralka currently serves as Chief of Staff for the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC). At IDEC, Stralka has built a project management office and has managed communication and legislative affairs divisions, in addition to stepping in as interim CIO. Previously, Stralka served
SPRINGFIELD – Governor Pritzker has selected Illinois Air National Guard Director of Staff Colonel Steven B. Rice of Morrison, Illinois, as the next Assistant Adjutant General – Air of the Illinois National Guard. With the selection, Colonel Rice will be promoted to Brigadier General and will serve as one of two Governor-appointed deputies to Major General Rodney Boyd, the Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard. The other deputy is Brigadier General
CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) released data highlighting record-breaking economic development milestones from 2025. Guided by Governor Pritzker’s strategic economic growth plan, Illinois reached a record $13 billion in incentivized investments, delivered record tourism accomplishments, and marked major milestones in key sectors, including quantum, while making continued investments in small businesses
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark in filing an amicus brief challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final standards on ballast water discharges from large vessels, which can carry harmful organisms from one port to another. In the brief filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, Raoul and the coalition argue that the standards unlawfully weaken long-standing
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Ronald Allred, 37, of the 8500 block of Jenny Drive in St. Louis, with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, and two counts of animal abuse on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. Allred is accused of fatally stabbing his 81-year-old grandmother, Fannie Allred, and injuring her two French bulldogs during an incident at her home on Dec. 28, 2025. According to the probable cause statement, police responded
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As 2025 comes to a close, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) highlighted several key accomplishments she secured over the last year: “Whether helping nearly 2,900 Illinoisans recover more than $13 million the federal government owed them, passing a law making it easier for new parents to travel with critical breast milk supplies, pushing back against Trump and Republicans as they work to jack up costs for everything from groceries to health care, fighting Donald
CASEYVILLE — James A. McCain was charged with burglary following the theft of construction materials from a newly built home on Nicole Drive, the Caseyville Police Department announced. Officers responded to the residence on Dec. 18, 2025, after reports of a burglary. Upon arrival, they discovered that a large quantity of construction materials had been stolen during the early morning hours of the same day. An investigation by multiple officers led to the case being presented t
CASEYVILLE — Jason R. Dosch, 37, was charged with criminal sexual assault following an investigation by the Caseyville Police Department. The case was presented to the Saint Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office on December 17, 2025. Dosch, whose date of birth is May 4, 1988, faces charges related to the criminal sexual assault offense. Authorities have not released further details regarding the incident or the circumstances leading to the charges. The Caseyville Police
GODFREY – A recent house fire and domestic battery incident in Godfrey has resulted in felony charges filed against a Godfrey man with a criminal past. Jeremy A. Ward, 49, of the 900 block of Enos Lane in Godfrey, was charged on Dec. 29, 2025 with a Class 1 felony count of residential arson, a Class 2 felony count of arson, a Class 2 felony count of aggravated domestic battery, and a Class 4 felony for his second or subsequent offense of domestic battery. On Dec. 28, 2025, Ward allegedly
EDWARDSVILLE - SIUE Athletics mourns the loss of beloved staff member Lindsey Schmidt , who passed away on Tuesday, December 23. Lindsey has served as an Academic Advisor at SIUE since 2008. "This is heartbreaking for all who knew Lindsey," said Andrew Gavin , Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics. "She has long been a beloved member of our athletics family, because of her infectious energy, positive attitude, and incredibly helpful and loving heart. She has provided so much support
EDWARDSVILLE – A major improvement project to modernize and upgrade the infrastructure along a portion of North Main Street in downtown Edwardsville is scheduled to begin in January, the City of Edwardsville announced. The project will include the replacement of a more than 120-year-old water main, the addition of pedestrian-friendly safety and accessibility upgrades, enhanced streetscape features, road resurfacing and an overhaul of sewer lines in the area. The North Main Street Water
EAST ALTON — Officer Jack Stalcup Jr., a dedicated law enforcement professional who served the community for more than four decades, died suddenly on Dec. 25, 2025, at his residence. He was 69. The East Alton Police Department described Stalcup’s passing as sudden and said it will be deeply felt by all who knew him. "Heroes take on many forms, but someone who served their community with such pride and distinction is without a doubt a hero," the East Alton Police Department said in
ALTON - A local nonprofit is working to support survivors of human/sex trafficking. Tigerlili Resources offers a three-pronged approach to help survivors and their loved ones. Based in Alton, the nonprofit is asking community members to consider donating to their cause so they can fund their programs, including a new retreat center that will provide a safe space for families to heal together. “There’s just not enough services for these kids in the whole Midwest,” said
GRAFTON - Grafton is known for its New Year’s Eve fireworks and fun. Starting on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, and continuing through Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, this weekend promises plenty of excitement in Grafton. Paula Jameson, who runs the Enjoy Grafton Facebook page , is eager to see people come out to Grafton and have a great weekend. “Grafton is really coming together as a family destination. I love that. It really showcases that around the holidays,” Jameson said.
GRANITE CITY – Granite City police have charged two local residents with burglary of a vehicle and Granite City home. Angela R. Brown, 40, of East St. Louis, was charged on Dec. 18, 2025 with one count each of burglary (a Class 3 felony) and theft (a Class A misdemeanor). Brown allegedly knowingly entered another individual’s 2011 Ford F-250 without authority on Nov. 19, 2025 with the intent to commit a theft. On the same day, she reportedly stole a tan purse containing a wallet,
ST. LOUIS – The City of St. Louis Department of Human Services and its partners are activating emergency shelters on Sunday at 6 p.m. and will keep most of them open through Tuesday at 9 a.m. Currently, 290 emergency shelter beds are available, in addition to 400 year-round shelter beds. Walk-up shelter is available at the following locations: North City: Peter & Paul - Jugan Shelter (single men, single women, and family rooms) 3225 N. Florissant Ave. Central City: Biddle Housing
PERRY - When Brian White and his wife decided to purchase a wood stove, they had no idea they’d one day be the people selling them. White now owns Backyard Boilers, a wood stove business out of Perry that sells stoves from Central Boiler. He emphasized that comfort, safety and savings are the best parts of owning an EPA-certified wood stove, and he believes these stoves are perfect for anyone in the Riverbend area who needs a little extra warmth. “We thought if we sold two o
O’FALLON, Ill. — The O’Fallon Police Department is investigating the death of an adult female found inside a residence on the 1300 block of Bossler Lane. Officers responded to the home at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, and discovered the deceased individual. A person of interest is currently in custody in connection with the investigation, but no charges have been filed at this time. Authorities described the incident as isolated and stated they do
ST. LOUIS COUNTY — Detectives with the St. Louis County Police Department are investigating the stabbing death of an 81-year-old woman in the 8500 block of Jenny Drive on Sunday morning, Dec. 28, 2025. Officers from the Central County Precinct responded at 10:53 a.m. Dec. 28, 2025, to a call reporting an accidental injury. Upon arrival, they found the woman suffering from stab wounds. She died at the scene. A preliminary investigation determined the injuries were not accidental but th
COTTAGE HILLS – A Cottage Hills man accused of striking a vehicle after fleeing from police through a construction zone at high speeds remains in custody. Anthony B. Adams, 25, of Cottage Hills, was charged on Dec. 22, 2025 with a Class 4 felony count of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer. On Dec. 20, 2025, Adams allegedly failed to obey and attempted to elude a Madison County Sheriff’s Deputy who gave Adams a visual or audible signal to stop the vehicle h
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