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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) joined her Democratic colleagues in a last-ditch effort to address rising costs for American families. Beginning at 1 a.m., and despite Republicans’ attempts to keep the reconciliation process out of public view, Budzinski and House Democrats participated in a marathon Rules Committee meeting, introducing more than 500 amendments to the Republican tax package. During the meeting, Budzinski focused her remarks on ways to lower costs for American families and offered an amendment to reinstate a broadband affordability initiative modeled after the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provided low-income families with discounted internet access. “My amendment introduces a measure of fairness into this otherwise harmful bill,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “This simple amendment puts working families first —making sure they have access to the internet for school, work, health care, and

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MASCOUTAH – The Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) and Special Olympics Illinois are excited to announce the inaugural Southern Plane Pull competition fundraiser that will take place at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport on Saturday, May 31. The challenge pits men and women against machine in a tug-of-war style contest to test their strength against a 22-ton GoJet airplane. Teams of 10 will compete by attempting to pull a 44,000-pound aircraft the distance of 12 feet in the shortest amount of time. To enter the competition, teams must raise a minimum of $500, with funds benefitting Special Olympics Illinois. The event will kick off with an Opening Ceremony at 9:30 a.m., followed by the first team pull at 10:00 a.m. Festivities will take place at the AMVATS Hangar on the airport grounds, located at 8885 AMVATS Drive. The Plane Pull contest will feature various divisions, including law enforcement, public safety, corporate and community teams, fostering a spirit of camaraderie

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SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Christopher Belt passed a bill through the Senate that would strengthen prevailing wage rules to help workers receive higher pay. “This key protection ensures workers are treated fairly and paid what they deserve for their labor,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “We’re fixing a loophole that left too many employees at a disadvantage — because in Illinois, we stand for fairness and dignity on the job.” Currently, Illinois’ prevailing wage law does not apply to federal construction projects that require a prevailing wage determination by the U.S. Secretary of Labor. House Bill 1189 would clarify that workers must receive the highest prevailing wage — whether federal or state — in local public works projects that include federal funding. The measure intends to eliminate potential confusion when rates differ and specifically impacts projects under state or local control. “We want to ensure that the protection

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GREENVILLE – The following students were placed on the Dean's List at Greenville University for the spring 2025 semester. To qualify for the Greenville University Dean’s List, a student must successfully complete a minimum of 12 hours for the semester. Freshmen (0-29.5 credits) must have a semester GPA of 3.5 or above. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors must have a semester GPA of 3.7 or above. This list of 337 names reflects both on-campus and online undergraduate students: Lauren Haacke Addieville, IL Emma Brannon Alhambra, IL Lauren Brannon Alhambra, IL Samantha Lewis Alma, IL Kendyl Schultz Altamont, IL Chloe Greenberg Alton, IL Hailey Wright Alton, IL Jorgi Dupureur Armington, IL Donovan Diviney Aubrey, TX Grace Waldrop Auburn, IL Jacob Divjak Auburn, IL Allyson Schulz Aurora, IL Matilda Brougham AUSTRALIA Snyder Pennington Avon, IN William Warman Barrington, IL Zaryah Smith Beecher City, IL Ashlyn Wuebbel

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ALTON - The City of Alton will once again commemorate Memorial Day with its 158th Memorial Day parade. At 10 a.m. on Monday, May 26, 2025, community members can come out to Upper Alton to enjoy the parade, organized by the East End Improvement Association. Steve Schwartz, who helps oversee the parade, emphasized the importance of the tradition and the meaning behind the celebration. “It’s just a tradition. It’s fun,” Schwartz said. “Memorial Day is for the fallen. That’s the importance. Let’s not forget what this day and what this parade stand for.” Parade participants will set up at Alton Middle School. The route will travel up College Avenue to Washington, down to Edwards, over to Main, back up to College, and then down Washington to the Upper Alton Cemetery. This year's parade marshal is Bill Varble, a local Vietnam War veteran. Schwartz expressed his appreciation for Varble and his eagerness to honor him. Schwartz also thanked

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With the Memorial Day weekend approaching, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission encourages everyone to celebrate responsibly and avoid overconsumption. Alcohol impairs judgement, lowers inhibitions, and decreases reaction time, which can be hazardous when you are driving, grilling, boating, or swimming. We urge everyone to make smart choices and take precautions, especially during holidays and summer months when these incidents are more common. Follow the safety tips below to reduce the risk of alcohol-related injuries this holiday weekend and throughout the summer: Pace yourself Know your limits Drink plenty of water Never leave your drink unattended Don't get behind the wheel after drinking "Enjoy the holiday weekend but please drink responsibly. Keep in mind that proper planning leads to a safer environment for everyone," said Illinois Liquor Control Commission Executive Director Lisa Gardner. If you plan on drinking this Memorial Day, choose a designated driver in advance

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ATCHISON, Kan. - Thao-Vy Tran of Alton, has graduated Summa Cum Laude from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, majoring in Evangelization & Catechesis, Theology and Journalism & Mass Comm. The college graduated 520 students at the end of the academic year during ceremonies on May 17, 2025. It was the largest graduating class in the school's history. Sister Deirdre Byrne gave the keynote address, providing "'Sister Dede's Spiritual Post-Graduate Survival Guide." Her advice to find God's plan for each student consisted of seven points: * Go to Church. God gives you 168 hours in a week. He asks for one back. * Travel. The world is a wonderful place. You learn more about yourself when you learn more about others. * Tithe your talents. Give back to those who were not as blessed to receive the two greatest gifts offered at Benedictine College. Your education and your faith. * Obtain Spiritual Lasic Surgery ... that is the ability to see as Christ sees. Confession and the Eucharist

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GRANITE CITY – Granite City High School is accepting bids on the Vocational Building Trades Class House located at 4825 Bailey Drive in Granite City. The 3-bedroom/2-bath brick combo ranch home is approximately 1,900 square feet with a 3-car garage on 80’ x 120’ lot in Donnalynne Legacy Subdivision. There is an open house scheduled for Sunday, June 22 from 1-4 p.m. See attached FLYER for more information. The vocational electricity, vocational building trades, and SWIC’s HVAC program all collaborated to complete the home. GCHS is very proud of our students who contributed to this program. Vocational Building Trades Students – Instructor, John Boushard Gage Asbeck Alan Pacheco Jacob Barton Laney Rainwater Makayla Bonner Michael Richello Owen Hale Julius Shrum Landon Kaminski Duke Upton Henry Mink Landon Vonburg Kalil Mosby Lucas Watson Vocational Electricity Students – Instructor, Bob Quick Paris Belt Ryan Mangiaracino

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GLEN CARBON - Goshen Coffee Roasters has opened its third location in Glen Carbon. Located at 1 Junction Dr. West in Glen Carbon, the new cafe will have Goshen’s signature menu, homemade ingredients and locally-roasted coffee. Jennifer Hughey, who owns the business alongside her husband, sister and brother-in-law, explained that the move to Glen Carbon was a natural decision. “We just think it’s a really great location and a great community for us to be a part of,” she said. “The community is awesome, and we know that a lot of those people already know the Goshen name. But we also feel like it was really an untapped market for us.” With one cafe in Edwardsville and another in the Soulard neighborhood of St. Louis, Goshen is already familiar to many Riverbend residents. But Hughey hopes the Glen Carbon community embraces the new cafe and its unique “Good S*** Energy mission.” She added that everything in the cafe is made “pretty

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SAINT LOUIS - Community members are invited to remember the reason behind the three-day weekend this Memorial Day at Soldiers Memorial Military Museum. At 10 a.m. on Monday, May 26, 2025, the Missouri Historical Society and Soldiers Memorial Military Museum will host their annual Memorial Day Program, complete with a procession, wreath-laying ceremony, POW/MIA remembrance service and more. Located at 1315 Chestnut Street in St. Louis, Soldiers Memorial Military Museum hopes to see people from across the region come out to commemorate the holiday. “It’s a great event, a pretty powerful event,” said Molly Rose, Soldiers Memorial Site Coordinator. “It means a lot. Our mission here at Soldiers has always been to honor those who made the supreme sacrifice. Memorial Day is just the one day to bring the whole nation together to honor those who made that sacrifice.” The ceremony will begin with an invocation by Rev. James Williams. A POW/MIA remembrance

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CHARLESTON — Milla LeGette, a discus thrower from East Alton-Wood River High School, secured a spot in the finals of the IHSA Class 2A State Track and Field Meet on Friday, May 23, 2025, with a throw measuring 36.11 meters (118 feet, 5 inches) during the preliminaries. LeGette’s performance placed her ninth overall, allowing her to advance to the final round scheduled for Saturday, May 24, 2025. LeGette today is recognized as a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for the Oilers. She expressed satisfaction with her achievement on Friday in an interview afterward. “I was planning to throw at least 118 feet in the discus,” she said after the prelims. “I actually did throw it, and now I get to throw more on Saturday. My goal is to try my best and see where I am at. At least I made it this far.” LeGette described advancing to the final day as a moment of pride and anticipation for the competition ahead. The state track and field

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SAINT LOUIS - This Father’s Day, skip the neckties and novelty mugs — and give Dad the celebration he deserves at the 2025 Annual Father’s Day Brunch hosted by 612North Event Space + Catering. Taking place on Sunday, June 15, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, this unforgettable event offers breathtaking views, an extraordinary menu, and family-friendly fun — all nestled in the heart of downtown St. Louis at the scenic VUE on the 5th floor of 612 North 2nd Street. Enjoy an hour and a half of unlimited indulgence with our All-You-Can-Eat Brunch, featuring more than 30 hand-crafted items including: Prime Rib & Sausage Carving Station Korean Fried Chicken and Waffle Station Bagels & Lox Biscuits and Gravy Spinach & Feta Quiche Classic Breakfast Favorites Antipasto Dishes Assorted Pastries & Fresh Fruit "Pick-Your-Own" Donut Wall And much more! Don’t forget to capture the memories with our interactive photo booth, perfect for families

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SWANSEA – State Senator Christopher Belt secured a combined total of over $8 million for multi-use paths and bike trails in Belleville, O’Fallon and Venice. The grant was awarded under the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation. “These investments are a direct result of strong local partnerships and thoughtful planning at the community level,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “I’m grateful to help bring state resources home to support projects that enhance quality of life across our district." The City of O’Fallon was awarded $3 million to construct a 10-foot-wide shared use path along Highway 50, stretching from Community Park all the way to the McKendree MetroRecPlex. The City of Belleville was awarded $3 million for the West Belleville Bike Trail Phase II project, which will connect the west end of the city with the MetroLink Belleville Bikeway on the east side of Belleville.

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JERSEYVILLE/HIGHLAND - Rulito Videla is a fifth-generation clown who can’t wait to perform for Riverbend audiences at Carden Circus next week . On May 27, 2025, in Jerseyville, and May 29, 2025, in Highland, community members can enjoy Carden Circus , an international act with motorcycle stunts, archery, aerialists, animals and more fun for people of all ages to enjoy. Videla looks forward to sharing his bits with the community, and he emphasized that the “magic” of the circus resonates with everyone. “No matter your race, color, size or where you’re from, everyone has a good time at the circus,” Videla said. “It’s just incredible because when I’m performing onstage and I look into the audience, I get to see their reactions, and I can see a whole family just laughing or creating this memory that they’ll never forget. That’s the beauty of the circus.” In Jerseyville, the show starts at 7 p.m. on

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ALTON – An Alton man faces multiple felonies after recklessly fleeing from police at high speeds, stealing scrap materials and household items, and possessing methamphetamine. Eugene A. Covington, 54, of Alton, was charged on May 12, 2025 with one count of theft, two counts of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer, and one count of unlawful possession of methamphetamine (a Class 3 felony). Covington allegedly stole various household items and scrap materials from the victim on May 10, 2025. He had previously been convicted of theft over $300 in a 2004 Madison County case. He also reportedly fled from police at speeds over 21 mph over the legal speed limit and possessed less than five grams of methamphetamine at the time of the incident. A petition was filed to deny Covington’s pretrial release, stating the incident unfolded after Madison County Sheriff’s Deputies attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle Covington was driving near East Drive in

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PHOTOS: Newly promoted Edwardsville Police Lieutenant Matthew Senci, new Police Sergeant Marcus Wagner, new Assistant Fire Chief Mark Mayfield and his father, new Fire Captain Jake Sweetman and family, new Fire Captain Jeremy Paschall and family. EDWARDSVILLE – Edwardsville saw some Police and Fire Department personnel promoted and police equipment purchases approved at the latest City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Within the Edwardsville Police Department, Marcus Wagner was promoted to the rank of sergeant, while Matthew Senci was promoted to lieutenant. Fire Department promotions included new Fire Captains Jeremy Paschall and Jake Sweetman, as well as new Assistant Fire Chief Mark Mayfield. “Having such a high-quality Police Department and Fire Department is a great source of pride – not only for myself, but for the aldermen,” Mayor Art Risavy said. “We’re very grateful for the level of expertise and the sacrifice that you make.”

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today won a court order stopping the Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle the Department of Education. On March 13, Raoul, as part of a coalition of 21 attorneys general, sued the administration after it announced plans to eliminate half of the department’s workforce. “The Department of Education plays a crucial role in protecting K-12 education for all Americans – from ensuring that students with disabilities have equal access to classrooms, to protecting students from discrimination and harassment,” Raoul said. “The Trump administration’s actions are unlawful, unconstitutional and most severely harm students who have the most need for the department’s programs and services. I’m pleased with the court’s decision, and I will continue to stand with my colleagues to ensure all children have the opportunity of a quality education.” In Illinois, the court’s

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Did you know that Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day and dates back to the aftermath of the Civil War, making it one of the oldest federal holidays in the United States? This day, often associated with barbecues and sales, holds a profound significance as a national moment of remembrance for those who sacrificed their lives in military service. Understanding the origins and customs of Memorial Day weekend reveals layers of American history and reveals how collective memory shapes national identity. Origins of Memorial Day: From Decoration Day to National Observance The roots of Memorial Day trace back to the years following the Civil War, a conflict that left over 600,000 Americans dead. In the wake of such a devastating loss, communities sought ways to honor the fallen soldiers. The earliest recorded observance took place on May 30, 1868, when General John A. Logan, leader of the Grand Army of the Republic, called for a nationwide day to decorate the graves of Union

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May 23 has been a date marked by transformative events across the globe, each shaping history in unique and profound ways. The most impactful event associated with May 23 is undoubtedly the symbolic culmination of the Berlin Wall's fall in 1989. While the initial breach occurred on November 9, 1989, May 23, 1990, marks the final official dismantling of the wall segments in East Berlin, signaling an irreversible step towards German reunification and the end of Cold War divisions in Europe. This moment not only represented the physical removal of barriers but also the ideological collapse of separation between East and West, symbolizing hope, freedom, and the triumph of unity over division. Traveling back in time, in 1430, Joan of Arc, a pivotal figure in the Hundred Years' War, was captured by Burgundian forces allied with the English. Her capture led to her trial and eventual martyrdom, but her legacy as a symbol of courage and resistance endures to this day. In the realm of science

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GRANITE CITY – On Friday, May 16, 2025, Granite City was hit by an EF-3 Tornado impacting a two to three-mile area across the community causing significant neighborhood damage. “City personnel were able to mobilize quickly clearing roads, protecting the public from down powerlines and assessing the damage.” Mayor Mike Parkinson said. “We are continuing with the clean-up efforts and encourage residents to reach out by calling the United Way 211 emergency number for any assistance with further clean-up or other critical needs.” The City anticipates a two to three-week clean-up process and is in the critical stage of still assessing any community or resident’s urgent and critical needs. Call United Way 211: If you suffered storm related damage and still in need of clean-up or other urgent/critical needs assistance, please dial 211 or 1(800) 427-4626 to be connected to a certified resource specialist. Additional information and damage details will

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