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SPRINGFIELD — The Commission on Equity and Inclusion (CEI) has released its Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Annual Expenditure Report for the Business Enterprise Program for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities (BEP), in accordance with Section 8f of the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act (BEP Act). This report showcases the State of Illinois' (State) progress in supplier diversity and identifies the FY25 BEP achievements of State agencies,

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) welcomed eight new Troopers today from Cadet Class 153 at a graduation ceremony at the Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield. ? The new Troopers will report to five ISP Troop locations throughout the state on Sunday, April 12, 2026. ? Cadet Class 153 marks the 24th cadet class graduation under Governor JB Pritzker and ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. ?Since 2019, 721 troopers have joined ISP. One of the graduates will report

GRANITE CITY – A Granite City man accused of “driving through a field” during a reckless high-speed flight from police faces felony charges for his latest such offense. John M. Shea, 36, of Granite City, was charged with two Class 3 felony counts of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer on March 25, 2026. Shea allegedly knowingly attempted to flee from a Granite City police officer who had signaled for Shea to stop the vehicle he was driving on Jan. 7

EDWARDSVILLE – The following students have been named to the Honor Roll at Metro-East Lutheran High School for the third quarter of the 2025-2026 school year: Grade 9 – Honor Roll with High Distinction (g.p.a. 4.0) Alaina Cleveland, Shiloh Lucas Cook, Bethalto McKenzie Cordero, Collinsville Austin Imhoff, Alhambra Tessla McCallister, Collinsville Reagan Moss, Edwardsville Anna Mosser, Staunton Dani Spann, Collinsville Shane Stewart, O'Fallon Elise Terracina, Edwardsville

PAWNEE — Illinois State Police and the Illinois Capital Development Board broke ground today on a new canine training complex in Pawnee, launching an $8.9 million state investment that officials said will add two new buildings with upgraded kennels, training areas and office space. “Here in Illinois, we’re proud to support our State Police as they take innovative steps to reduce crime and protect the People of Illinois,” Gov. JB Pritzker said. “Upgrading ISP canine

On April 12, 1961, a 27-year-old Soviet pilot named Yuri Gagarin became the first human being to travel into space. Lifted by the Vostok 1 spacecraft, he completed one orbit of Earth in about 108 minutes before returning safely. At the time, the flight mattered because it proved that a person could survive launch, weightlessness, and reentry—questions that had not been answered with certainty. It also reshaped global competition in science and technology during the Cold War, pushing governments

EDWARDSVILLE - A late-night crash on Illinois Route 157 in Edwardsville left a motorcyclist seriously injured Saturday, prompting an emergency response that initially included a helicopter call and led authorities to close the roadway for hours. The crash occurred about 10 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2026, on Illinois 157 near Esic Drive, authorities said. A motorcyclist was seriously injured. Authorities said a helicopter was initially called to the scene, but they confirmed that two people wer

WOOD RIVER - The Riverbend East Rotary Club recently recognized the March Service Above Self award winners from East Alton-Wood River High School — Brooke Moran and Noah Sconce. Photo — Riverbend East Rotary Club President Mark Smith presents the Service Above Self certificate to Brooke Moran. Noah Sconce was not available. Brooke Moran exemplifies what it truly means to live out “Service Above Self”. Brooke is a dedicated member of the East Alton-Wood River High School

EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is hosting its annual symposium, themed “Energy-Water-Food Nexus” on April 22 from 1-4 p.m. at the Center for Spirituality and Sustainability, Fuller Dome, on the SIUE campus. Brought together by the Climate and Sustainability Advisory Board (CASAB) and Environmental Resources Training Center (ERTC), the event is all set to bring regional experts, practitioners, and community members together to promote awareness

CAHOKIA HEIGHTS — Multiple fire departments responded to a large vehicle fire at a tow yard in Cahokia Heights, Illinois, on Saturday afternoon, according to the St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency. Crews arrived to find several vehicles on fire at Patterson Towing, prompting a massive mutual aid response. Assisting departments included Midway Fire Department, along with Camp Jackson, Cahokia Heights, East St. Louis, Prairie Du Pont, Church Road, Hollywood Heights, Millstadt,

EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County Sheriff’s Office deputies and other area law enforcement responded on Friday, April 10, 2026, to a report of a barricaded subject in the 200 block of 3rd St. in unincorporated Collinsville. This incident affected traffic in the surrounding neighborhood and on Pleasant Ridge Road, authorities said. In an update released at 3:25 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office said the barricaded subject “was taken

EDWARDSVILLE — State Senator Erica Harriss is proud to announce the launch of her annual Mother’s Day Diaper Drive , taking place from April 13 through May 8, 2026 , to support families in need across the Metro East region. “Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate the strength and love of moms, but it’s also a reminder that many families are quietly struggling to afford everyday essentials,” said Senator Harriss. “This drive is about neighbors helping

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is reminding taxpayers about changes announced by the United States Postal Service (USPS) regarding postmarks that could affect tax filing deadlines in 2026. Under the updated USPS procedures, postmarks will continue to reflect the date of the first automated processing operation, however, they may no longer indicate the date a piece of mail was dropped off at a local post office. This distinction may impact time-sensitive materials,

EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) will host their annual “One Day, One SIUE” celebration and fundraising campaign. On Thursday, April 23, 2026, community members are invited to SIUE’s new Health Sciences Complex for the fifth annual event. Starting at 6 p.m., attendees can enjoy food, drinks, hot air balloons, and live music by the Charles Glenn Band. Julie Babington, Senior Director of Annual Giving, explained that the event is a fun way to

BELLEVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that rehabilitation of a crossing by Norfolk Southern railroad on Lebanon Avenue between West Boulevard and Grove Avenue in St. Clair County will require a full closure beginning Tuesday, April 14, weather permitting. A posted detour will be in place to safely guide motorists around the closure, which is expected to conclude Friday, April 17. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through

MADISON/ST. CLAIR COUNTIES - Illinois State Police will conduct Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement patrols in Madison and St. Clair counties during April, a stepped-up effort aimed at preventing and detecting impaired driving and other vehicle code violations, Troop 8 Commander Capt. Casey Faro said in a statement from Collinsville. The patrols, known as ACE, allow state police to “focus on preventing, detecting, and taking enforcement action in response to violations associated with impaired

ALTON - The Sierra Club will bring wildlife ecologist Dana Ripper to Alton, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, to discuss “The Risks of Microplastics” during a speaker series event at Old Bakery Beer, 400 Landmarks Blvd. The program is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. Ripper focuses on conservation through ecosystem health. She has a master’s degree in ecology from Arkansas State University and worked on wildlife research projects across the United States before making Missouri

GLEN CARBON - The Village of Glen Carbon is continuing a municipal electricity aggregation program with Homefield Energy. This program was previously approved by referendum by the voters in each of the 27 participating communities. The Village’s primary goal is to protect residents from the continued rise in electric supply rates and spikes in the energy market. Residents and businesses are able to opt-out of the program if desired. The new rate for the Village of Glen Carbon

COLLINSVILLE – Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site will host its annual Spring Native American Market April 24-26, 2026, bringing together some of the nation’s most talented Native American artists. The market will take place in the gallery space at the site’s interpretive center. Although the interpretive center museum remains closed to the public for renovations, the gallery will be open for the event. No artifacts will be on display during the market. Artists representing

ST. LOUIS – Republic Services is set to pay $200,000 to settle a federal lawsuit alleging sex discrimination in the company’s hiring practices. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced the lawsuit settlement on Friday, April 10, 2026 against Allied Services, LLC, doing business as Allied Waste Services of the Ozarks / Republic Services of the Ozarks. The EEOC states in a news release the company “provides waste management services nationwide.”