Riverbender 🕸

SPRINGFIELD - Health care leaders and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin gathered at Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Medicine on July 25 to strongly denounce sweeping federal budget cuts to Medicaid, student loan support and medical research—pillars that sustain both local patient care and the next generation of physicians. “The new federal directives are not theoretical,” said Dr. Jerry Kruse, dean and provost of SIU Medicine. “They will directly harm the people and communities we serve—especially in rural and underserved parts of central and southern Illinois. This isn’t politics. It’s patients, it’s providers and it’s progress on the line.” Senator Durbin, a longtime advocate for rural health care, emphasized the ripple effects of the “Big Beautiful Bill,” the federal budget passed by Congress. “Why would we cut Medicaid so dramatically at this point in history?” Durbin asked. “The administration

Continue Reading

CHICAGO - Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias will launch a statewide advocacy campaign aimed at preventing insurance companies from using socio-economic data – such as credit scores, zip codes and age – to charge Illinoisans higher auto insurance rates. As part of the “Driving Change” campaign, Giannoulias is asking Illinoisans to share their stories about unfair and discriminatory ratemaking practices through a new website and a series of Town Hall meetings across the state. The office is also urging consumers to contact their state lawmakers to support legislative reforms. Illinois-focused studies have revealed ratemaking inequities and disparities, including insurers on average increasing rates on senior drivers and charging consumers with a safe driving record and poor credit hundreds of dollars more than someone with a DUI conviction and excellent credit. As a result, drivers from disadvantaged neighborhoods and communities of color disproportionately

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has been awarded a $1.6 million grant from the Mellon Foundation through its Public Knowledge program. The award will support the expansion of the Black Lit Network , a digital resource dedicated to African American literary studies. The project includes a podcast series, data visualizations, a literature search tool, and additional public-facing resources. A lead researcher on the project is SIUE Distinguished Research Professor of Literature Howard Rambsy II , PhD. “I’m thrilled to have received this grant and opportunity,” said Rambsy. “I’m especially pleased that the grant will be based at SIUE. It’s rare for an African American literary studies initiative at a regional university like ours to receive a grant of this scale.” According to the Mellon Foundation, the grant enables a team of humanities scholars to “support further development of a network for digital humanities

Continue Reading

ALTON — Forty years ago today, on July 29, 1985, the site for the Robert Pershing Wadlow Statue in Upper Alton was officially staked out, marking the beginning of a community effort to honor the world’s tallest man. The statue was completed and dedicated during a two-day celebration on Oct. 19-20, 1985. Steve Tassinari, co-chair of the Robert Wadlow Statue project, with the late Ron Vanata, recalled how his childhood fascination with Wadlow grew into a mission to bring renewed spirit to the Alton community. “I became interested in Wadlow as a boy, like many of the other Alton area boys,” Tassinari said. Tassinari and many other boys used to visit the Wadlow grave and put themselves next to the graveside and imagine how tall Robert actually was in the end. He was 8-feet-11.1 inches tall at the time of his death. He remains the world's tallest man in the Guinness Book of World Records. Tassinari's interest was rekindled in the 1980s when he demonstrated

Continue Reading

ALTON - Alton native Ja’Markus Gary, recognized for his many athletic and academic achievements at both Alton High School and McKendree University in Lebanon, IL., has taken a new step in his career by joining the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division. Recently, Madison County Sheriff Jeff Connor administered the oath of office to a deputy position. Gary, in a ceremony attended by family, marked the beginning of his service with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Gary will start the Police Academy on August 18, 2025. The four-month academy session will be followed by several weeks on patrol alongside a Field Training Officer. Sheriff Connor expressed enthusiasm about Gary’s future contributions and said, “We are excited to see the many contributions Deputy Gary will make during his upcoming years of service to the citizens of Madison County.” Gary was a 2022-23 Academic All-Great Lakes Valley Conference honoree for McKendree, and saw

Continue Reading

ALTON — The Lucy Haskell Playhouse Association will honor the memory of Lucy Haskell with a birthday celebration from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, 2025, located at the Lucy Haskell Playhouse. The event, held annually, features cake, ice cream, games, pony rides, and other activities for children. On Lucy's birthday on July 29, 1885, her mother celebrated the girl's fifth birthday in the Victorian Queen Anne Stick-style building Margaret Hopkins, one of the event organizers, said the celebration aims to recreate the parties Lucy Haskell would have experienced in the 1880s. “Lucy’s birthday party is always fun, and we try to recreate her party with the pony rides and games similar to what Lucy and company would have played in the 1880s,” Hopkins said. Lucy Haskell died at age 9 on March 27, 1890. Her mother donated the playhouse and the surrounding land to the City of Alton to preserve her memory. Volunteers have worked over the years to maintain the hous

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS - Registration is now open for the Fall 2025 session of Citizens for Modern Transit’s Ten Toes + Transit program, held in partnership with AARP in St. Louis and the St. Clair County Transit District. Those interested in taking part in the program credited with helping 10,000+ older adults integrate walking and public transit use to explore area attractions in a social setting can register by visiting www.CMT-STL.org then selecting Ten Toes + Transit in the Programs drop box at the top of the page. Individuals can also call Citizens for Modern Transit at 314-231-7272 or attend one of five in-person registration events scheduled for August. The Fall 2025 session gets underway with a kick-off walk on August 28 with a tour of the City of St. Louis Old Courthouse in downtown. Participants will take the MetroLink to the to downtown St. Louis from the Shrewsbury-Lansdowne-I-44 Transit Center. The 12-week-long, guided walking groups get underway and run through th

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD – State Treasurer Michael Frerichs has announced the winning photographers for the 2025 Cream of the Crop Photography Contest , which provides Illinois students with a creative opportunity to share their vision of agriculture in our state. The top nine photographers, ages 8 to 18, will be awarded Bright Start 529 college savings scholarships. “Congratulations to the young photographers who have showcased their talents and creativity in the Cream of the Crop competition this year,” Frerichs said. “Their photos illustrate the beauty and diversity of agriculture in Illinois.” The winning photographs will be displayed August 7-17 at the Illinois State Fair in the Treasurer’s Tent. You can see the photos of the top three finishers in each of the three age categories on the State Treasurer’s website . Winning entries and other photo submissions will be featured in the 2025-2026 Ag Invest calendar, which you can order here , and the

Continue Reading

EAST ALTON — Some East Alton fast-food restaurants closed early on Monday, July 28, 2025, after receiving what East Alton Police Chief Scott Golike described as prank phone calls containing vague threats. Taco Bell, Sonic and McDonald’s in East Alton decided to shut down their businesses early as a precautionary measure. Chief Golike said the calls appeared to come from the same individual and contained “the same vague threat,” which raised concern among management. “It was a little alarming to managers,” Golike said. “It sounded like the same caller with the same vague threat.” Golike noted that the calls seemed to be isolated to the affected businesses and that Alton Police were not receiving similar calls at their locations. Authorities are continuing to research the matter but have not found any indication of an actual threat. Golike emphasized that the early closures were a collective decision made out of caution. The East Alton

Continue Reading

BRUSSELS — A 43-year-old woman was arrested on June 24, 2025, after a deputy sheriff conducted a citizen contact at a General Store on Main Street in Brussels, Calhoun County The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office reported that Tammy E. Bailey of Hardin, Illinois, was taken into custody at 4:25 p.m. Bailey faces charges of violating the sex offender registry and has an outstanding Calhoun County felony warrant. Authorities said Bailey was arrested without incident and transported to the Greene County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing. Officials reminded the public that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Continue Reading

CHICAGO – The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Board approved funding totaling $40 million for the development of four non-congregate shelters that will create 194 units with 422 beds for persons experiencing homelessness. These non-congregate facilities will provide private rooms for individuals and families to reside and will not require occupants to sign a lease or occupancy agreement, while also offering necessary support services to help them during their housing transition. “Here in Illinois, we understand that ending the homelessness crisis requires a multifaceted and equitable approach, and that begins with meaningful investments to improve our housing infrastructure,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “These four new shelters, which are repurposed from unoccupied properties, will offer a unique private housing support option for over 400 people. I’m thankful to the team at IHDA for their ongoing efforts to destigmatize homelessness and improv

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) released the following statement following an announcement from the Department of Education that it would begin releasing nearly $5.5 billion in Congressionally-approved funds illegally withheld from states. The restored funding comes after pressure from Budzinski and her House Democratic colleagues. “After we turned up the pressure, I’m glad to see the Trump administration do the right thing and release the education funds they have been illegally withholding from our communities,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “While this announcement is a relief for our school districts – especially as the new school year rapidly approaches – the funding never should have been delayed. Central and Southern Illinoisans deserve a government that keeps its word, and I’ll continue to hold this administration accountable to ensure these critical dollars are delivered to our district.” Earlier

Continue Reading

EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that bridge deck patching will take place on eastbound Interstate 64 between 15th Street and 25th Street in St. Clair County beginning, weather permitting, at 9 p.m., Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. During that time, traffic will be reduced to one lane. All lanes are expected to reopen by 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 4. Motorists should expect delays and 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 www.GettingAroundIllinois.com .

Continue Reading

HARDIN — Today, Jennifer Wooldridge, State Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Coordinator and Deputy Director of Operations for the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, issued the following statement on the life-saving impact of CIT training in law enforcement, as demonstrated recently by Sheriff William Heffington and Chief Deputy Zach Hardin of the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office: "On May 5, 2025, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office was alerted to a severe disturbance near the intersection of Park Street and Main Street in Hardin. Authorities were told an individual intimidated another individual with an axe before fleeing the scene. "Within minutes, at about 3:37 p.m., Chief Deputy Zach Hardin located the individual, parked along Illinois River Road, still armed with a large axe. Sheriff William Heffington arrived to assist in what quickly escalated into a critical and complex situation. As school had just let out, a bus full of childre

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - During their regular meeting on July 28, 2025, the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Board of Education discussed the 2023 Bond and three potential projects that could be completed using the money. Superintendent Dr. Patrick Shelton explained that there are three Phase 2 projects, and he wanted the Board to discuss these projects and let him know what information they needed to make a decision on which project to move forward with. He said the top priorities are updating certain playgrounds, followed by the gyms in Hamel and Columbus Elementary Schools, and then the Edwardsville High School Media Center. “There seems to be a super need for Hamel. We have asbestos,” said Board member Matt Breihan. “I go back to the Bond promises that were promised, and I realize you can’t tell the future and I realize you can’t tell where rates go and what happens. But the promises were made that we have enough money for all projects that

Continue Reading

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed another unconstitutional gun restriction into law this week. On Monday, Gov. Pritzker signed the so-called “Safe Gun Storage Act” into law. Senate Bill 8 imposes new mandates requiring gun owners to store firearms in locked containers when in the presence of minors, prohibited persons, or “at-risk” individuals. The bill is riddled with conflicting provisions and creates legal uncertainty for hunters, target shooters, and youth shooting clubs. State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) voted NO on Senate Bill 8, citing serious constitutional concerns for the rights of law-abiding gun owners. “Senate Bill 8 is an overreaching and unconstitutional restriction on the Second Amendment rights of responsible Illinois citizens,” Davidsmeyer said. “This law creates excessive and confusing firearm storage mandates, subjects law-abiding gun owners to stiff civil

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD - Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) hosted a roundtable discussion focused on improving mail delivery and protecting postal services across Central and Southern Illinois. She convened local union leaders, postal workers, and other community stakeholders to talk about efforts to improve on-time delivery, protect local postal jobs, oppose privatization, and stop harmful facility consolidations that reduce access in rural and underserved areas. “The Postal Service is a lifeline in rural communities, and lagging delivery rates have meant delayed prescriptions, late bills, missed paychecks, and much more,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “It’s unacceptable and the administration should do better. I was glad to bring together leaders on the frontlines of this issue today to talk about how we can push back against postal privatization, improve speed and service, and protect good-paying union jobs at USPS. The Postal Service should be a public good

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - During their regular meeting on July 28, 2025, the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Board of Education unanimously voted down proposed fixes to the Edwardsville High School track. Superintendent Dr. Patrick Shelton explained that the original project, which was approved by the Board earlier this year, did not address findings related to construction or design. The contractor has since recommended two design/construction changes to the track. The first change is the addition of a 4-inch conduit and two 2.5-inch conduits for timing equipment and potential later additions, valued at $40,000. The second change is a 4-foot perimeter concrete walk on the exterior of the track, valued at $63,000. “We did not include design or construction contingencies in this project,” Shelton said. “We didn’t know there needed to be. But at the same time, we have for all the other projects, so that’s probably something that we should have

Continue Reading

ALTON - You can enter for the chance to win four VIP tickets to the upcoming Puddle of Mudd concert at the Alton Amphitheater. On Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, enjoy music from the chart-topping rock band on the Alton Riverfront. Puddle of Mudd is known for post-grunge hits like “Blurry,” “She Hates Me” and “Psycho,” and frontman Wes Scantlin promises more “deep cuts” from previous albums at the Alton show. Enter using the form below for the chance to win four VIP tickets. “A Saturday evening on the Alton Riverfront with another multi-platinum-selling band like Puddle of Mudd will be a great night for Alton and the region,” said Dan Herkert, Alton Amphitheater Commission Chair. “It has been a few years since we’ve had an alternative rock and roll show at the Alton Amphitheater, and we’re thrilled to bring this genre back to our riverfront.” Puddle of Mudd was signed by Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst

Continue Reading

Did you know that nearly 80% of the world’s population lives under light-polluted skies, unable to see the Milky Way with the naked eye? This startling fact underscores just how precious truly dark skies have become. For those who crave the awe of celestial wonders, finding the right stargazing location is essential—especially on clear summer nights when the heavens are at their most vibrant. Understanding What Makes a Great Stargazing Spot Not all stargazing locations are created equal. Several factors contribute to the quality of the view and the overall experience: Darkness: Artificial light from cities and towns significantly diminishes the visibility of stars and planets. The darker the sky, the more celestial bodies are visible. Altitude: Higher elevations often have less atmospheric disturbance and clearer air, improving visibility. Weather: Clear skies with low humidity and minimal cloud cover enhance stargazing conditions. Accessibility: While remote

Continue Reading