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CHICAGO — The Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA) proudly honored Personal Touch Boutique as the 2025 Illinois Retailer of the Year during the group’s 68th Annual Meeting held Thursday at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel. Personal Touch Boutique, a cornerstone of East St. Louis since 1994, has grown into the city’s only locally-owned men’s fashion retailer, offering everything from suits and shoes to hats and jogging sets. Owned by husband-and-wife team Derrick and Bernita Maxwell, the boutique has been recognized for its quality menswear and decades of service to the community. While firmly rooted in East St. Louis, its loyal customer base extends far beyond Illinois, with shoppers traveling from across the country and ordering online to find unique, hard-to-find styles. The Maxwells’ journey as business owners has not been without obstacles, as East St. Louis has long struggled with declining population, high crime, and economic hardship.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) testified at a House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee hearing about the local impact of the Republican healthcare crisis. She warned that if Republicans allow the ACA’s Enhanced Premium Tax Credits to expire at the end of the year, families across the country will face steep premium increases. Budzinski highlighted the story of two constituents whose premiums are projected to increase by more than $500, totaling around $810 per month. This means nearly $10,000 a year just for coverage, forcing tough decisions in their household finances. “A middle class family in the 13th District shouldn’t be terrified of what a single medical emergency would do to them. In Laura and Rick’s words from Alton, ‘it would bankrupt us,’” Budzinski said. “Losing these tax credits would not only threaten their healthcare, it would also put at risk their financial stability,

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representatives Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Jan Schakowski (D-IL-09), Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) and Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17) today denounced Donald Trump’s disturbing and authoritarian statement that Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson “should be in jail”: “Donald Trump’s continued and escalating threats against his political opponents should alarm everyone—especially since he’s proven they aren’t just idle threats. Our Constitution was designed to protect our country from tyrants who think they have ultimate power—and right now, our country’s founding

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) and 16 of their colleagues in introducing the Federal Employee Civil Relief Act . The legislation would protect federal workers, federal contractor employees and their families from foreclosures, evictions and loan defaults during a government shutdown. “Instead of negotiating with us to ensure our government works for the American people, Trump is forcing millions of workers through a needless government shutdown and threatening to withhold their backpay despite signing the law guaranteeing it himself,” said Duckworth. “The longer this shutdown continues, the more harm they’ll cause to federal workers across the country and their families. Our bill would help protect federal employees until Republicans finally come to the negotiating table and help find a bipartisan solution that meets the needs of the

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COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville Police Department has named Officer Connor Diecker as its Officer of the Month for September 2025, recognizing his proactive efforts that resulted in 25 arrests throughout the month. Officer Diecker’s arrests included charges for possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, felony driving while license revoked, felony retail theft, and possession of a weapon by a felon. The department highlighted his commitment to public safety in a recent statement. “Thank you Officer Diecker for your proactive work to keep our community safe,” the department said. The recognition underscores the department’s focus on addressing crime through active policing and community engagement.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) convened an emergency meeting of her Veterans Advisory Council to discuss how the government shutdown is impacting services for the brave men and women who served our country. The advisory group highlighted how the shutdown has caused uncertainty and exacerbated delays for veterans looking to access benefits. “Our veterans deserve to know that the benefits and services they rely on at VA will be available when they need them,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “Right now, because of the government shutdown, that is unfortunately not the reality. I convened my Veterans Advisory Council today to hear from folks on the ground exactly how the veteran community – and the dedicated VA workforce – are being impacted by Republicans’ failure to come to the negotiating table. Our conversation underscored that we need a bipartisan solution that ends the shutdown, protects healthcare, and ensure

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that Lebanon Road will be closed between Fon Du Lac Drive and Woodcrest Drive in St. Clair County beginning, weather permitting, Monday, Oct. 13, for road repairs. Access to both Fon Du Lac Drive and Woodcrest Drive will be maintained throughout the duration of the closure, which is expected to remain in place for approximately two weeks. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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ALTON - An October 9, 1925, article in the Alton Evening Telegraph gave the statistics for fire losses of life and property in Illinois for the fiscal year ending June 20, 1925. Madison County ranked fourth for the amount of money lost to damage done by fire, following Cook County, Peoria County, and LaSalle County. St. Clair County was fifth. (The original Alton City Hall building burned down on April 22, 1924, and damages would not have been included in this fiscal year.) In the state of Illinois, for the June 1924 - June 1925 fiscal year, a total of $26,148,908 in fire damages were reported. (That would be approximately $478,622,520 in 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.) The statistics for fire loss last year in Illinois are available from the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshall’s 2024 Annual Report: $530,582,107 in property and contents loss. There were 142 people killed by fires in 1925 and 102 in 2025. The population has increased from over

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) , the state’s college access and financial aid agency, is proud to announce the 2025-26 Financial Aid Application Completion Recognition of Excellence awardees , honoring Illinois high schools that demonstrate outstanding leadership and commitment to student success by achieving high financial aid application completion rates. These schools have gone above and beyond in supporting their students and families through the financial aid process. This year, 469 Illinois high schools were honored, almost a 15 percent increase over last year’s honorees. “Here in Illinois, we’re committed to supporting every student as they pursue opportunities for higher education,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Our high schools play a critical role in ensuring students have the resources they need to achieve their education and career goals, and this year, I’m proud to congratulate the hundreds of

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will use a new automated notification system to relay chronic wasting disease (CWD) test results to deer hunters starting with the current 2025-2026 deer season. Hunters who harvest deer across the 25-county CWD endemic area of northern and west-central Illinois are encouraged to have their deer tested by IDNR biologists at mandatory or voluntary firearm deer check stations, at participating vendors, or by dropping deer heads at self-serve drop-off sites. Hunters statewide who provide a mobile phone number with their CWD sample and have a valid email address linked to their ExploreMoreIL customer account will receive text and email notifications of test results. Notifications to hunters who harvest deer testing presumptive positive for CWD will include a link to an interactive mapping application to verify the location of where they harvested their deer. Final confirmation test results will be sent via text

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is proud to announce the appointment of Schneidine Louis as the new Director of the International Trade Center (ITC). Louis brings a wealth of international experience to the role, having served as a diplomat and holding a master’s degree in international business with a concentration in global supply chain and logistics from Georgia State University. Her expertise in export readiness and strategic global expansion will be instrumental in supporting Southern Illinois entrepreneurs and business owners seeking to grow their international footprint. She succeeds Silvia Torres Bowman, who retired earlier this year after a distinguished 27-year tenure leading the ITC. “We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Louis to our team,” said Jo Ann Di Maggio May, Director of the Illinois SBDC at SIUE. “Her global perspective, marketing acumen,

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ST. CLAIR COUNTY – The Illinois Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting to discuss a study for the proposed improvements on Illinois 13 from Illinois 157 to South 23rd Street in St. Clair County. The meeting will be held: Wednesday, Oct. 29 4-7 p.m. Southwestern Illinois Justice & Workforce Development Campus 231 2301 W. Main Street, Belleville IDOT, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, has initiated the Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Study of Illinois 13. This section of Illinois 13 is located within the city of Belleville as well as unincorporated St. Clair County. The Phase 1 study will evaluate options to address traffic safety and mobility through the study area. The purpose of the meeting is to introduce the project and obtain public input. Handouts and display boards will be available for public review, along with information on engineering, land acquisition and environmental processes. Representatives fro

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ALTON – Two Alton residents have been charged in separate felony cases of domestic battery. Byron R. Delp Sr., 62, of Alton, was charged on Oct. 3, 2025 with one count each of criminal damage to property (a Class 4 felony) and domestic battery (a Class A misdemeanor). On Oct. 2, 2025, Delp allegedly pushed a household or family member to the ground, causing them to fall; charging documents state he also caused over $500 worth of damage to the victim’s “television, bicycle, and hunting bow.” Another Alton man, 38-year-old James A. Stewart, was charged in an unrelated case from Oct. 1, 2025 with a Class 2 felony count of aggravated domestic battery and his second or subsequent offense of domestic battery, a Class 4 felony. Stewart allegedly strangled a family or household member and forcibly pushed the victim into a wall on Sept. 30, 2025. He had previously been convicted of attempted murder in a Madison County case from 2006. According to the state’s

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CARLINVILLE — Ricky J. Collins, 50, of Edwardsville, was charged with domestic battery causing bodily harm on Sept. 30, 2025, following an incident in which he allegedly struck his daughter in the head with his hand on Sept. 29, 2025. According to the charging document, Collins knowingly caused bodily harm to his daughter by striking her in the head. The Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department is handling the case. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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GODFREY - Gerard Fischer with American Family Insurance wants the best for his clients. Located at 3014 Godfrey Road in Godfrey, Fischer’s American Family office works closely with local businesses like Andy’s Auto Body Center to assess damage and turn in claims. Fischer collaborates with his clients to make sure they get the service they need, so his insurance office can help them afford the repairs and get back on the road. “If my client’s not happy with the claims adjuster or the claims adjuster’s not getting back with them or whatever, then they can contact me,” Fischer said. “I can step in and help. I can get the ball rolling, put a stick of dynamite underneath somebody and get the ball rolling so they can take care of my client.” Fischer shared that insurance coverage has changed a lot in recent years. As the technology in cars has increased, insurance companies have adjusted their rates. “Five or seven years ago

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GILLESPIE — Adam L. Bray, 44, of Gillespie, was charged with domestic battery on Oct. 1, 2025, after allegedly punching a family member in the face on Sept. 30, 2025. Bray was previously convicted of domestic battery in 2018. The charges state Bray knowingly caused bodily harm to the victim during the latest incident. In his earlier case, Bray was found guilty and sentenced to one year of probation and five days in jail with time served. The current charges are being handled by the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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ALTON - No matter what your car needs, you can get it serviced at Andy’s Auto Body Center and Andy’s Tire & Auto Service in Alton. Mark Anderson, owner of both businesses, expressed his excitement to serve the Riverbend community. From emissions testing to registration stickers to auto repairs, Andy’s can handle anything your car needs. “On the mechanical side, we do pretty much everything there,” Anderson said. “You have to be transparent about it, too. I’m not doing the bait-and-switch thing where it’s $285 and then when you get out it’s $490.” Located at 3001 Washington Avenue in Alton, Andy’s has seen its customer base increase in recent years. They average 2,000 emissions tests a month. Anderson noted that it’s much faster to go to Andy’s for stickers and emissions tests than going through the DMV. Andy’s works closely with insurance companies to make sure your repairs are covered a

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Did you know that Leif Erikson may have reached North America nearly 500 years before Christopher Columbus? This remarkable fact challenges popular narratives about the "discovery" of the New World and invites us to reconsider the complexities of history. Leif Erikson Day, observed annually on October 9th, commemorates this pioneering Norse explorer and his groundbreaking voyage. But how did this day come to be recognized, and why does it hold significance today? Exploring the history of Leif Erikson Day reveals fascinating insights into cultural heritage, historical memory, and the celebration of exploration. The Historical Context: Who Was Leif Erikson? Leif Erikson, born around 970 AD in Iceland, was the son of Erik the Red, the founder of the first Norse settlements in Greenland. According to Norse sagas, Leif embarked on a westward voyage around the year 1000 AD. His journey led him to a land he named Vinland, widely believed to be part of present-day Newfoundland in Canada.

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October 9th is a date marked by significant milestones that have influenced the course of history across the globe. Perhaps the most globally impactful event associated with October 9th occurred in 1967, when the Outer Space Treaty entered into force. This treaty, formally known as the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, set the foundation for the peaceful use of outer space. It was a pioneering international agreement that prohibited the placement of nuclear weapons in space and banned the establishment of military bases on the Moon and other celestial bodies. Signed initially by the United States, the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom, the treaty opened a new chapter in international cooperation. It established space as a global commons, meant to be used for peaceful purposes and scientific exploration. Today, it remains a cornerstone of space law, influencing how nations

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ST. LOUIS — Five men were shot Wednesday evening, Oct. 8, 2025, during a balloon release held to honor a victim of violence in north St. Louis City, leaving one dead and others injured, police said. The shooting occurred around 7 p.m. in the 5900 block of Wells, according to St. Louis police. All five victims were men between the ages of 19 and their early 30s. One man died at the scene, while another remains in critical, unstable condition at a local hospital. The three other victims are reported to be in stable condition. Authorities are investigating the circumstances that led to the gunfire during the balloon release, which community members organized to remember a victim of violence. Police have not released any information regarding suspects or motives at this time.

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