Riverbender 🕸

GLEN ELLYN — Governor JB Pritzker joined local, state, and community leaders today to celebrate the opening of a new facility at the Philip J. Rock Center and School, the only publicly funded residential school for deaf-blind children in the nation. The new facility will provide residency and education for up to 20 full-time students. This project was made possible by a $21.5 million investment from the Governor’s Rebuild Illinois capital program. “For nearly 50 years, the Philip

CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker has proclaimed November as Adoption Awareness Month , joining the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in recognizing the remarkable commitment of thousands of families across the state who have welcomed 20,313 children into their homes over the past decade—providing love, stability and belonging when it was needed most. “Every child deserves a home where they feel loved, supported and safe,” said Governor JB Pritzker.

SPRINGFIELD – Marking a significant step forward in criminal justice reform, State Senator Christopher Belt supported a transformative approach to providing second chances while maintaining critical public safety protections. "The Clean Slate Act gives hope to those looking to start over and do better," said Belt (D-Swansea). "It is important to note that this bill only includes offenses that are currently sealable, we are simply making this process automatic." House Bill 1836 –

SWANSEA - At a Village Board meeting in Swansea, three police officers were recognized for their lifesaving efforts following a serious traffic crash. Swansea Officer Clayton Proffitt and O’Fallon Officers Benjamin Sosa and Michael Shewmaker received Lifesaving Awards for their critical care in assisting a victim who suffered severe injuries to her lower extremities. The officers’ quick assessment and application of multiple tourniquets were credited with playing a key role

ROXANA – State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) and experts from Chestnut Health Systems are hosting a FREE Narcan Seminar and Giveaway. There will be two separate seminars and following each presentation attendees will receive Naloxone to take home and use in an emergency. “Opioid overdoses are becoming all too common,” said Rep. Elik. “Naloxone has already saved countless lives, and I’m proud to be teaming up with Chestnut Health Systems to educate the community

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) Director Jerry Costello II was selected to receive the Honorary American FFA Degree, an award given to those who advance agricultural education and FFA through outstanding personal commitment. The National FFA Organization works to enhance the lives of youth through agricultural education. Without the efforts of highly dedicated individuals, thousands of young people would not be able to achieve the success that, in turn, contributes

EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County Clerk Linda Andreas announced today that her office has begun utilizing data from the office of Coroner Nick Novacich to ensure that deceased residents are promptly and accurately removed from the county’s voter registration rolls. The collaboration reinforces Andreas’ commitment to election integrity and transparency. “Utilizing this information from the Coroner’s Office, rather than relying on information from the state alone, allows

SPRINGFIELD – The leaves are changing, the nights are getting longer, the smell of pumpkin spice is in the air – and deer are on the move. The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois Department of Natural Resources are reminding the public to be alert for deer as we enter peak mating season, with their movements and the chances for collisions both increasing, particularly at dawn and dusk through December. “In your travels this fall, please remember that deer can

ROXANA — A giant buck startled students and staff when it appeared on the playground at Central Intermediate Elementary School, officials said. The deer was first seen on the blacktop area of the school playground before it jumped over a six-foot fence and left the premises, according to Christine Higdon, who submitted the photo. “We had an early morning visitor on our playground, a giant buck,” Higdon said. “Before we had a chance to figure out how to get him off our

GODFREY – OSF Medical Group – Primary Care (Godfrey) is pleased to announce a new board-certified family medicine nurse practitioner has been added to its staff to better serve the primary care needs of Riverbend region residents. Jill Heitzig, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, is accepting new patients at OSF Medical Group – Primary Care, located at 6702 Godfrey Road, in Godfrey. Ms. Heitzig will see patients on Monday - Thursday, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Heitzig’s medical interests include

CHICAGO – November is National Veterans & Military Families Month, and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) is highlighting the licensing resources available to active service members, their spouses, and veterans whose active-duty service concluded within the past two years. These tools ensure these brave individuals can obtain the professional licensure needed to work in their chosen field as soon as possible in Illinois. “As we observe National

PONTOON BEACH - The City of Pontoon Beach is home to an exciting new business. On Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, TIG: The Integration Group celebrated the opening of their new warehouse at 1401 Tradeport Parkway in Pontoon Beach. CEO Mike Schoenfeld expressed his excitement to move into the new facility and share their work with the city and beyond. “We desire to be a long-term partner in the local community, creating jobs, supporting the economy and contributing to regional success,”

ALTON – Two area men face felony charges after fleeing at high speeds from Alton Police officers in two unrelated incidents. Richard R. Adkins, 52, of Alton, was charged on Oct. 29, 2025 with three Class 3 felony counts of criminal damage to government supported property, two Class 4 felony counts of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer, and a Class A misdemeanor count of driving while license is suspended. On Oct. 27, 2025, Adkins allegedly knowingly fled from an

WOOD RIVER – Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Eagles of the Month” program at Civic Memorial High School. Senior students are selected each month by members of the Civic Memorial faculty to represent each department. All students are awarded a certificate and a Subway gift card. Two seniors (1 female student and 1 male student) who were selected each month will have the opportunity to compete for a $500 “Eagles of the Year” scholarship at the

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — St. Louisans are invited to honor veterans and military service members at the Annual St. Louis Regional Veterans Day Observance in downtown St. Louis on Saturday, Nov. 8. This special parade and ceremony celebrate the bravery and dedication of those who have served the nation, and all are welcome to join the festivities and express their gratitude. The St. Louis Veterans Day Parade starts at 10:30 a.m. at 18th Street and Olive Street. Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Antonio “Andy”

SHILOH — In response to the ongoing government shutdown, St. Clair County is hosting a food drive for the community to support the Airmen and civilian personnel at Scott Air Force Base experiencing financial hardship due to missed paychecks and uncertainty during this time. Organized by St. Clair County’s Department of Military Affairs in partnership with the 375th Air Mobility Wing’s First Sergeants Council, and the Chiefs Group, the local giving initiative aims to stock th

When investors talk about performance, the conversation often skips ahead to returns. But the decision that most shapes your long-term results is made before markets move: your asset allocation —the balance among equities (stocks), fixed income (bonds), cash, and potentially other assets. The critical question is not “How much can I make?” but “How much risk should I take to reach my goals without losing sleep or derailing my plan?” First, What Do We Mean by “Risk”?

WORDEN - Businesses and community groups in Worden have joined forces in response to an expected increase in the need for food assistance during the winter months. In June, members of the Worden Methodist Church established a community food pantry, placing a pantry cabinet on the church lawn at 103 S. Lincoln Street. Church members faithfully restocked the pantry each week. However, as temperatures have dropped and a recent government shutdown has impacted the area, visits to the pantry have

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today issued the following statement after a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts issued an order finding that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) must use its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) contingency funds to provide benefits during the ongoing federal government shutdown. The order comes after Raoul and a coalition of 26 attorneys general and governors filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration

ALTON — To mark the third anniversary of Nourished Revival, organizer Abigail Parker has launched a fundraiser in partnership with Riverbend Rescue, a local nonprofit serving families and children in the Riverbend area for the past two years. The campaign aims to provide personalized Christmas gifts to children attending schools in the Alton, Wood River/Hartford, and Roxana districts. Riverbend Rescue works directly with schools to identify each child's specific holiday wishes, ensuring