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CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation that streamlines property tax relief for seniors, veterans, and persons with disabilities while also encouraging local taxing districts to lower their levy rate, opening the door for hundreds of dollars in individual property tax savings per year. “Over the past twenty years, property taxes have skyrocketed at a rate far surpassing the increase in home values. For veterans, disabled Illinoisans, and our seniors, that can mean having to choose between basic needs—like healthcare­­—and losing their homes. That’s unacceptable—and needs to change,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This bill expands homestead exemptions for veterans and their spouses, reduces interest rates, and allows for automatic renewal for our disabled homeowners. When I got elected, I promised to address rising property taxes for our residents. I am proud to sign this bill into law—taking another step

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced today that it supports yesterday’s recommendation by the CDC of the Pfizer-BioNTechCOVID-19 booster dose for children aged 5 to 11 years old. IDPH issued an advisory to vaccine providers throughout the state endorsing the booster for children 5 through 11 years of age at least five months after completion of a primary series with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, following the emergency use authorization this week by the FDA and the recommendation of the CDC. “We encourage every parent or guardian of children five and older to consider a booster vaccination for their eligible child,” said IDPH Director Amaal Tokars. “And if your children have not yet received their primary dose, it’s not too late to start now. Especially with cases rising throughout the state, everyone who is eligible for vaccination should be taking advantage of the opportunity to get vaccinated and boosted. Vaccination

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Parks and Recreation Department is finalizing details for the Route 66 Festival, set to take place Saturday, June 11 at City Park in downtown Edwardsville. The annual Route 66 Festival will begin at 8 a.m. with the yearly 10k, sponsored by the Metro Milers. After the festival officially opens at 10 a.m., eventgoers can expect new and returning vendors selling boutique or artisan products, as well as a non-profit area showcasing local organizations that serve the community. Throughout the day, there will be an open mic event from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the classic car show at 3 p.m., and car cruise at 6 p.m. Festivities will also include a family zone with inflatables, face painting, and a petting zoo. Local organizations including the Children’s Museum, Edwardsville Art Center, and the YMCA will have interactive booths. Patrons can expect to boogie all day and into the evening with live music from 2-11 p.m. The Matt Taul Group, a local band

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EDWARDSVILLE - Opera Edwardsville (OE) celebrates a milestone year by presenting a 5th Anniversary Season that includes a free opera for kids, a free outdoor concert at Edwardsville City Park, its signature ticketed December concert (Presented by the SIUE Arts & Issues Series), and its popular series "The 12 Days of Opera Edwardsville" shared online throughout December free of charge. Details below. Community Impact in the past 4 years: Alongside world-class performances, OE has developed a portfolio of education and outreach programs that have reached 5,000+ grade-schoolers through an annual opera for kids, 300+ high school and college students through masterclasses, a triumphant concert for the community at Edwardsville City Park in 2021, and 80,000+ viewers through free performances shared online. In celebration of continued growth, OE is excited to announce the appointment of pianist Joseph Welch as the company's first Artist-in-Residence. recognizes the immense talent of Welch

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CARLINVILLE - At 7:11 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2022, the Carlinville Police Department responded to a report of a male down in a puddle in the roadway in the 1100 block of Sumner Street. Upon arrival, officers found a male identified as Monteaz Walton, 40, in a fetal-like position on his right side. Officers began life-saving measures until Carlinville Fire Protection District and Gillespie Benld Area Ambulance Service arrived on scene, to no avail. Macoupin County Coroner was called to the scene and pronounced Mr. Walton deceased. An autopsy was performed Saturday afternoon which determined that Mr. Walton was struck by a vehicle and succumbed to his injuries. The investigation is continuing with the assistance of the Macoupin County Coroner’s Office and the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Investigations. Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact the Carlinville Police Department, at 217-854-3221 or info@carlinvillepolice.com or Macoupin & Montgomery Counties

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ALTON — The First Annual James Killion Day is scheduled to honor all local veterans from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, 2022, at James Killion Park (formerly Salu Park). James Killion Day will celebrate the birthday, life, and contributions of Mr. Killion, as well as, pay tribute to local veterans’ past, present and future. In attendance will be the City of Alton Mayor, David Goins, who will present a proclamation to the members of the Killion Family. Local veterans will share their service stories, along with music will be provided by DJ Love. Doves will be released in reverence of veterans who have passed. Also, event attendees will enjoy food, and drinks and take home a commemorative frisbee, as well as, have the opportunity to win tickets to a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game. James Killion Day is being made possible by donations from Duke’s Bakery, Just Desserts, Schwegel’s Market, Williams Family White Dove Release, Alderwoman Rosetta Brown, Signed wit

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THE CENTER SQUARE – Illinois property taxes have far outpaced household incomes and home values since 1990, a Wirepoints analysis shows. Tax bills per household have grown 268% since 1990, while average home values have grown 114%. According to the nonprofit Wirepoints, the average household now owes nearly $4,400 in residential taxes each year, up from $1,200 in 1990. In 2020, property taxes ate up 5.9% of median household incomes in Illinois. Thirty years ago, property tax bills consumed just 3.6% of incomes. Wirepoints president Ted Dabrowski said Gov. J.B. Pritzker promised to address property taxes when he was elected, but it hasn’t happened. “We only see new bills and new laws come out of Springfield, and they always raise spending and they always raise property taxes and they always raise pension costs, so there is nothing good there for taxpayers,” Dabrowski said. As for their impact on home prices, Dabrowski said property taxes have contributed

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The Metro Illinois region had a big scare at about 5 p.m. Thursday when tornado warning messages blew apart people’s phones and outside sirens sounded. Some stores in the region had customers leave their premises when the sirens and warnings were issued. In the Metro East region, Belleville may have been hit the hardest by the heavy winds. Faith Baptist Church in Belleville had its roof ripped off and a pantry associated with it also had roof damage. An EF1 tornado rocked North Clinton and Bond Counties and there was a tornado touchdown on Jamestown Road a few miles outside Breese. There were reports of trees that were blown down and farm outbuildings were reported damaged near Breese. An EF0 tornado touched down just south of I-64 near Okawville and damaged farm outbuildings. Peak winds were 85 mph in that touch down. Another EF0 tornado touched down near Creve Coeur, Mo., just north of Olive Boulevard, and power poles were snapped. In Kirkwood, Mo., an EFO tornado with

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Illinois State Police released a preliminary report Friday afternoon about a fatal accident early in the morning at North University Drive and Illinois Route 143. This was the ISP preliminary report: WHAT: Single Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash WHERE: North University Drive at Illinois Route 143, Madison County WHEN: At approximately 5:50 a.m., May 20, 2022 VEHICLE: Unit 1 – 2004 White Nissan Truck DRIVER: Unit 1 – Paul A. Wisdom, a 78-year-old male from Park Hills, MO – Deceased PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling on the ramp from North University Drive to Illinois Route 143 eastbound, Madison County. For unknown reasons, Unit 1 left the roadway to the left, struck an embankment and overturned. The driver of Unit 1 was ejected and fatally injured. The driver of Unit 1 was pronounced deceased on scene by the Madison County Coroner. This is an open and ongoing investigation

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EAST ALTON - Mayor Darren Carlton of East Alton has spent years in public service from his days in law enforcement to now as leader of the village. East Alton Public Works Director Mike Moore said one of Darren's missions as mayor is to connect with youth and families and at 10 a.m. on Saturday in East Alton they have a great break-out event with warm weather here. A Kids To Park Day is set in East Alton on Saturday and will be free because of some fundraising, and Abundant Life Church will provide a Bounce House for kids, Moore said. "There will be free food and games at the event, which should be fun for all," Moore added. The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Keasler Complex. In the case of rain will be inside at the Keasler Center. The complex is located at 615 Third Street in East Alton. "This is the first time we have done this, but it is really a chance to do this and do something for the village," Moore said.

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Twelve years! That’s how long the Riverbender Community Center (RBCC) has been a proud pillar of this community. After twelve extremely successful years, the current Riverbender Community Center founder and executive board will be stepping down and the CommunityCenter will close its doors this Friday, May 20, 2022, following the completion of the last Friday Night Open Play. “It has been an amazing run and I’ve enjoyed every minute of my time spent with the Riverbender Community Center. From collaborating with local business owners, non-profit organizations, and individual donors in the development of the Center over a decade ago, to working with our volunteers and the kids on Friday nights - every moment has been a gift. Seeing the smiles and hearing the laughs, and watching them participate in what we have created has been as rewarding as just about anything in my life. I am blessed and proud to have had this opportunity to serve my community in this special

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ALTON - Marquette Catholic officials announced Friday that the Explorers Club Gala and Auction, held March 26, 2022, set a record with a profit of $126,890. The annual event started in the early 1990s. “The auction dinner is a very important event for us," Marquette Catholic Principal Tim Harmon said. "On behalf of our students, I want to express our appreciation for the great support we received from our parents, alumni, and the Marquette community. I want to thank all the parents in the Explorers Club who helped make the auction such a success. I’m already looking forward to next year’s event.” Explorers Club President and Auction Co-Chair Monica Ellerbracht said: "We want to thank all of our sponsors, volunteers, and those who attended the event. The annual event raises funds to help offset school expenses. “The actual cost of attendance is nearly $2,000 more than what we charge in tuition and fees. Those dollars have to come from somewhere. Auction

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EDWARDSVILLE - A 78-year-old Park Hills, Mo. man tragically lost his life in an accident reported at 5:49 a.m. on Friday in the Eastbound Illinois Route 143 area at SIUE Northern Access Road. Madison County Coroner Stephen P. Nonn identified the man who died in the single-vehicle car crash as Paul W. Wisdom. Nonn said the crash was not witnessed but later discovered by a passer-by. "Evidence at the scene suggests the decedent was the operator and sole occupant of a 2004 Nissan pick-up truck that left the roadway and rolled over causing him to be ejected from the vehicle," Nonn said. "The location of the crash is Eastbound Illinois Route 143 at SIU Northern Access Road. The decedent was pronounced deceased at the scene at 6:17 a.m. Friday by Madison County Coroner’s Office Senior Investigator Diondra Horner. Edwardsville Police and Fire Departments as well as the Illinois State Police responded to the incident. The crash remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police

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CARBONDALE - Twenty-two southern Illinois residents are among the 68 physicians and six graduate students at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine who received their diplomas Saturday, May 21, at the school’s 48 th annual commencement. The ceremony was held at the Performing Arts Center at the University of Illinois Springfield. SIU School of Medicine Dean and Provost Jerry Kruse, MD, MSPH, awarded diplomas to the medical students, and Sheila Caldwell, EdD, vice-president for antiracism, diversity, equity and inclusion, and Chief Diversity Officer at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, conferred the degrees. Alumni, faculty members, and a graduating student received awards during the ceremony. Mikaela Thurber, an instructor in anatomy in Carbondale, received the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Jody Lack, MD, an associate professor in pediatrics, and Class of 2022 graduate Braidy Megeff, MD, received the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Awards, presente

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) announced today that it will continue to enforce emergency rules prohibiting the sale or exhibiting of poultry and poultry products at swap meets, exhibitions, flea markets, and auction markets in Illinois to prevent the spread of avian influenza. The Department’s emergency rules took effect on April 5, 2022. The emergency rules may be effective for up to 150 days; however, the Department is evaluating the need for the emergency rules every 45 days based on the most up-to-date avian influenza information. At the close of the first 45-day period, the Department has determined that the emergency rules should remain in effect as avian influenza has been detected in the State as recently as May 17, 2022. The Department will continue to evaluate in 45-day increments for up to 150 days. In conjunction with this announcement, Illinois 4-H will move all county fair 4-H poultry shows to an alternate format while the emergency

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate fell -0.1 percentage point to 4.6 percent, while nonfarm payrolls increased by +9,300 in April, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and released by IDES. The March monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from +18,300 to +17,200 jobs. The March unemployment rate was unchanged from the preliminary report, remaining at 4.7 percent. The April payroll jobs estimate and unemployment rate reflects activity for the week including the 12th. In April, the industry sectors with the largest over-the-month gains in employment were: Leisure and Hospitality (+7,300), Manufacturing (+5,700), and Educational and Health Services (+3,500). The industry sectors that reported the largest monthly payroll declines were: Professional and Business (-11,100), Financial Activities (-2,200), and Trade, Transportation and Utilities

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THE CENTER SQUARE – A leading advocate for Illinois manufacturers is worried about price hikes and energy shortages this summer and into the future. “There is going to be a capacity shortage and we've seen warnings from utilities and regional grid operators talking about potentially rolling brownouts as soon as this summer,” said Mark Denzler, president, and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. He said prices have been soaring at recent capacity auctions, which reserve energy capacity in the event that it is needed. Agencies are warning that families could be paying an extra $50 every month and that means businesses will be hit even harder. “When you consider what a manufacturer, a retailer, a restaurant will pay, it will be significantly higher,” Denzler said. “In a case of some manufacturers, they will pay millions and millions of dollars in higher energy costs.” Denzler said the energy available, especially in downstate

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MADISON COUNTY - Touchette Regional Hospital (TRH) is reminding the public of its Senior I.Q. (Improving Quality) Program and the importance of maintaining our health as we age to avoid health risks and concerns that are preventable. “This program is a coordinated and community-based approach to improve the quality of life for seniors 60 and older. We unite physicians, community agencies, home health care staff, social workers, family members, and volunteers who work together as a team for our clients,” says Cora Hughes, Manager of Volunteer Services at Touchette Regional Hospital. The overall goal of the Seniors I.Q. Program is to provide free aftercare services to the elderly to promote the best quality of life. The program assists seniors with developing individualized, holistic plans of care that improve seniors’ physical, spiritual and social well-being; performing home assessments that reduce safety risks in their homes; making connections with Medicare/Medicaid

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EDWARDSVILLE – With the addition of three new locations in the near future, Sivia Law has recently added additional staff to their team. In an attempt to keep up with demand, while maintaining a high-level of service, the firm has added a host of new hires. These hires include two Of-Counsel attorneys. One new staff member just so happened to be a former client. Etta Jackson, following the completion of her estate plan, was offered a position at Sivia Law. “I was so happy there was an opening,” stated Jackson, “I just fell in love with their processes, culture and current employees.” Jackson received her J.D. from Washington University School of Law, her Master’s in Business Administration from Columbia University, and her A.B. cum laude from Harvard University. She is licensed to practice law in Missouri and Illinois. Operating out of the Edwardsville location, Jackson joins Sivia Law with expertise in areas of business law primarily employment

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GLEN CARBON – Distinguished volunteer Rosemary Gruber from Belleville has been honored with the annual Heart of Gold Award by Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois. This prestigious award recognizes the tremendous long-term impact a volunteer has had on girls and adults in his or her community through Girl Scouts, and it is the highest award a Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois adult volunteer can earn. Rosemary's impact on Girl Scouts is epic! A mother of three daughters and a retired registered nurse, she always made the time to help make a difference. Starting as a troop leader in the early 1970s, she has served in so many ways, including volunteering at day camps, helping fundraise, coordinating programs, training Program Aides, and serving as a nurse at events. At just shy of her 80th birthday, she still volunteers as a recruitment specialist who helps set up new troops and ensures new troop leaders feel welcome and well trained. “Rosemary exemplifies what it means to be

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