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CHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is alerting taxpayers that changes announced by the United States Postal Service (USPS) regarding postmarks could impact tax filings in 2026. While the USPS postmark will still show the date of the first automated processing operation, the postmark may no longer reflect the date when the piece of mail was dropped off at a local post office. This change can directly impact time-sensitive documents such as tax returns and payments. IDOR encourages

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Budzinski (IL-13) at a House Oversight Committee hearing called on Postmaster General David Steiner to address flailing USPS delivery rates that have impacted rural communities in her district. Budzinski questioned why the Postmaster has continued to implement the so-called “Delivering for America” plan when the initiative has been proven to worsen on-time mail delivery rates and slow outgoing mail in rural areas. “Communities

ALTON - Alton Police Department K9 Rico has received a bullet- and stab-protective vest through a charitable donation from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., the department announced on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. “The support we've received from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is truly outstanding, and we cannot thank them enough,” Alton Police Department Chief Jarrett Ford said. “Our K9 officers face the same dangers as our human officers, and this vest ensures that K9 Rico has the

GODFREY - Attention all pet parents! The new and improved Peachy Paws is now up and operating in its new and expanded location! With the company's new facility, services available include grooming, day care and training for those four-legged companions. Peachy Paws is the dream and creation of owner/operator, Amber (Dyer) Pogue. Amber is a life-long lover of animals and caring for them is her passion. She was riding horses by the age of five. She was even a member of Colby Community College

GODFREY – More fun is coming to the College for Kids lineup this summer at Lewis and Clark Community College. In addition to the usual schedule of creative and entertaining learning opportunities offered each summer, K-Pop Demon Hunters: Music, Culture and Confidence; Blazers Bureau of Investigation: Crime Solvers; and Blazers Bureau of Investigation: Junior Detectives have been added. “We look for activities that are educational, fun, creative, and engaging,” Community

CHICAGO - An Illinois Lottery player who bought her ticket online has come forward to claim a $536 million Mega Millions jackpot, the agency announced Tuesday, marking the first Mega Millions jackpot claimed in 2026. The winner, who is remaining anonymous under the nickname “Lucky Lady,” purchased the ticket through the Illinois Lottery’s iLottery platform for the March 10 drawing, the lottery said March 18 in Chicago. The Illinois Lottery described the prize as the second-largest

PONTOON BEACH - The Agency for Community Transit (ACT) Board of Directors recently recognized three employees for achieving significant safe driving milestones while serving the community through public transportation. Employees recognized for their years of safe driving include: · Mike Taylor, Demand Response Driver – 10 Years of Perfect Safety · Dave Forbes, Fixed Route Driver – 10 Years of Perfect Safety · Ken Hill, Fixed Route Driver – 15 Years o

EDWARDSVILLE - Kurt Prenzler, a Republican candidate for Madison County Clerk and Recorder, said he called Linda Andreas “last night” (Tuesday, March 17, 2026) to congratulate her on her victory in a brief statement released after the election. The final tally for the Madison County Clerk and Recorder race was Andreas with 8,418 votes (52.85 percent) to Prenzler's 7,509 votes (47.15 percent). “I called Linda Andreas last night to congratulate her on her victory,” Prenzler

ALTON - Students throughout the Alton community had the opportunity to present their business plans to bankers. Every year, students from Alton High School and surrounding schools participate in the Riverbend CEO program, which teaches them about entrepreneurship. As a culmination of the program, students develop their own business plan, and, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, they presented this plan to bankers to receive funding. “It's not a class. It is an opportunity for entrepreneurs

FERGUSON, MO. - Prosecutors in St. Louis County have filed first-degree murder and other charges against an 18-year-old man in the fatal shooting of a Lyft driver in Ferguson, Missouri, a case investigators say stemmed from an ongoing feud involving the rider passengers. The victim was later identified as Shannon O’Brien, 28, of the 4300 block of De Tonty Street in St. Louis, police said. O'Brien was an Edwardsville High School graduate and was once a member of the Tigers' girls cross

CHICAGO, IL — Following today’s U.S. Senate primary in Illinois, Raja Krishnamoorthi released the following statement: “I called Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and congratulated her on winning this primary. I trust that she will continue the lasting legacy that Senator Durbin leaves behind. “Only in America can an immigrant with twenty-nine letters in his name go from public housing and food stamps to the halls of Congress. I will continue to fight for our

SCHAUMBURG, IL – In response to the results in the the IL-8 Congressional Democratic primary, Junaid Ahmed released the following statement: “Tonight’s result is not what we hoped for, but I could not be more proud of the movement we built together. From the beginning, this campaign stood up to the powerful interests that too often dominate our politics and together we built a grassroots coalition of volunteers, organizers, workers, students, and families who believe

SPRINGFIELD — Republican voters across Illinois have nominated Don Tracy as their candidate for the United States Senate, setting up a November general election matchup against Democrat Juliana Stratton for Illinois’ open Senate seat. Speaking to supporters Tuesday night, Tracy thanked his family, campaign team, and the thousands of Illinois voters who supported his grassroots campaign. “I am deeply honored to accept the Republican nomination for United States Senate,”

ALTON - Alton Community Unit School District #11 has a prestigious music program. Band Director Matt Chesner and Orchestra Director Laura Plummer share more about the work behind the scenes. Students begin playing instruments in fourth grade and can continue throughout high school. Chesner and Plummer agree that while the students and the administrators have been a major help, it’s the community’s support that keeps the program running. “This is my first year in the area,

ST. LOUIS - Washington University in St. Louis has appointed Bruce D. Levy as executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean of WashU Medicine, with the physician-scientist set to begin the role July 1, Chancellor Andrew D. Martin announced Monday. Levy will succeed David H. Perlmutter, who is concluding his deanship after more than 10 years leading the medical school. “Bruce Levy is a deeply respected leader in academic medicine whose career reflects a strong commitment to advancing

CHICAGO – Following Juliana Stratton’s victory in Illinois’ U.S. Senate Democratic Primary, the Juliana for Illinois campaign released the following statement: “Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton is grateful to every voter in Illinois who made their voice heard in today’s election. Her victory has shown that Illinois is ready for bold leadership that will stand up to Donald Trump and always put working people at the forefront. There aren’t a lot of voices i

BELLEVILLE - Belleville Police are investigating the death of a 40-year-old man who was found unconscious early Wednesday, March 18, 2026, along a roadway, authorities said. Officers responded at about 5:22 a.m. March 18, 2026, to the area of Illinois Route 161 and Sullivan Drive in Belleville for a report of an unconscious man on the side of the road, the Belleville Police Department said. Police and EMS personnel determined the man was dead. Investigators and the department’s

ALTON – An estimated $1.6 million in unpaid trash bills which have gone uncollected sparked calls for more aggressive action at the last Alton City Council meeting. The issue was first raised at the Feb. 23, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting , when Alderman Michael Velloff asked Mayor David Goins who was responsible for collecting the delinquent trash bills and what steps the city had taken to collect them. “Don’t make it seem like this debt just came up when I took office,&rdquo

BELLEVILLE - Detectives investigating a fatal shooting in Belleville have filed murder and weapons charges against an 18-year-old Collinsville man, police said. On March 17, 2026, detectives with the Belleville Police Department presented information related to the March 15, 2026, homicide that occurred in the 5800 block of Belleville Crossing Street. Following a review of the evidence, the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office issued charges against William A.L.

EAST ALTON — Illinois Department of Transportation workers were repairing part of a bridge over Wood River Creek on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, after IDOT was called to the scene when a portion of the bridge fell underneath. Motorists were advised to slow down when entering the area while IDOT completes its work. The East Alton Police Department said IDOT was making progress on the obstruction repair.