CHICAGO – In just the first quarter of 2026, a growing list of global companies are choosing Illinois to invest, expand, and create jobs—driving early-year momentum that has is already outpacing total job creation commitments in recent years. Companies participating in the Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) program have committed to creating nearly 4,000 jobs and nearly $2.5 billion in committed investments so far this year, exceeding the total number of jobs committed
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced nearly $950,000 will be returned to Illinois investors as part of a $19 million multi-state settlement involving five major brokerage firms accused of charging unfair fees on small stock trades. The firms – Edward Jones, LPL Financial, RBC, Stifel and TD Ameritrade – were found by regulators in multiple states to have charged unreasonably high commissions on small-dollar trades during a five-year period,
ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School students will bring the “Peanuts” gang to the stage in Alton later this month, presenting “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” April 17 and 18 at 7 p.m. and April 19, 2026, at 2 p.m. in Alton, Illinois. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for youth. The production involves 26 students as actors and crew, according to Madison Foreman, Marquette Catholic High School’s theater and music director. “At its core, the show
SPRINGFIELD, IL. - State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) says his bill, House Bill 4243 , will improve working conditions for pharmacies across Illinois and provide customers with better service. Schmidt says there is a shortage of pharmacists, particularly in rural areas, which creates high stress in staff and a higher error rate on fulfilling customer requests. “The purpose of my bill is to ensure all pharmacies in Illinois have adequate staffing to ensure safe practice tha
ST. LOUIS — The American Red Cross asks people to help patients in need by making an appointment to give blood or platelets now. Donors of all blood types remain critical to keeping momentum up and the blood supply stable as spring begins. We’re joining forces with positive lifestyle brand Life is Good to invite donors to show the power of doing good by giving blood. Those who come to give blood or platelets March 30-April 12, 2026, will get an exclusive Red Cross x Life is Good
ALTON - The City of Alton is considering legislation to significantly restructure how municipal Hotel Room Tax and Food & Beverage Sales Tax revenues are allocated, shifting a larger share of funding toward riverfront improvements, beautification projects, recreational and educational development, and broader economic development initiatives. The proposal reduces the portion of both taxes currently directed to the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau (GRRTB). It reallocates those funds to support
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County released a Critical Incident Briefing video Thursday about an officer-involved shooting that occurred Feb. 20 in Overland, Missouri, where police say a 71-year-old man was later found dead inside a residence after officers responded to an assault call. The Critical Incident Briefing video for the officer-involved shooting that occurred on February 20, 2026, in Overland, Missouri, can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/zYBHbqJ4h3A According to
On April 3, 1948, the United States launched the European Recovery Program, better known as the Marshall Plan, a large-scale effort to help rebuild war-torn Europe after World War II. The program mattered immediately because it aimed to stabilize economies that were struggling with shortages, damaged infrastructure, and political uncertainty. It also mattered because leaders feared that desperation and instability could fuel conflict and extremism. Today, the Marshall Plan is still discussed
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today co-led a coalition of 21 states and local governments filing a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s repeal of the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) Rule and reversion to outdated standards that harm the environment and public health. The MATS Rule implements nationwide standards that limit emissions of toxic air pollutants from coal- and oil-fired power plants, including mercury, arsenic, lead and other toxic
EDWARDSVILLE – An Edwardsville High School employee accused of sending explicit messages to a 16-year-old student remains in custody awaiting trial on felony charges. James L. Williams Jr., 29, of the 200 block of Wonderland Drive in Alton, was charged on April 2, 2026 with one count each of indecent solicitation of a child (a Class 2 felony), solicitation to meet a child, and grooming (both Class 4 felonies). Williams is accused of knowingly soliciting a 16-year-old child to perform
ALTON - JoAnne Curvey is “a Redbird through and through.” Curvey, who currently serves as the principal of Gilson Brown Elementary School, jokes that she started in the Alton Community Unit School District #11 as a kindergartener in 1971. A few decades later, Curvey is preparing to retire and can’t wait to celebrate her 38 years in education. “Teaching is the best job ever, and it's such an important job,” she said. “Everything comes from what we do her
ST. LOUIS – A man from Toledo, Ohio, on Thursday admitted engaging in sex acts with a Missouri minor. Andrew Raymond Crum, 33, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of coercion or enticement of a minor. Crum admitted meeting the girl via social media in 2021, when she was 14. Crum began driving to Missouri to have sex with the girl in February of 2024, when she was 16. He also exchanged sexually explicit images and videos with the victim via Snapchat, where
CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a multistate coalition of 18 attorneys general on Wednesday in filing an amicus brief before the U.S. Supreme Court in Monsanto Co. v. Durnell, a case that could have sweeping implications for states’ ability to provide access to justice for those injured by pesticide manufacturers. In their brief , Raoul and the coalition urge the Supreme Court to preserve longstanding state laws that allow those who have been wronged by pesticide
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Jim Banks (R-IN) introduced the Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act , bipartisan legislation that will increase Veterans’ yearly books and supply stipend to $1,500 to keep up with inflation. The bill also increases the supply stipend for Veterans enrolled in apprenticeships and pursuing careers in the trades. “When our Veterans hang up their uniform,
GRAFTON - The chilly start to Grafton’s annual Easter Egg Hunt did not keep families away Saturday morning, March 28, 2024, as children from birth through fifth grade raced across Red Hawk Park to gather candy-filled eggs and meet the Easter Bunny. Parents and children gathered at 11 a.m. for the event, which featured separate age groups hunting at their own pace. Toddlers were guided by parents, while older children moved quickly to track down brightly colored eggs and fill their baskets
Whether celebrating an important life event or enjoying a lazy morning, brunch has continued to gain popularity in the United States since the early 1900s. It is a time to meet with family and friends, as well as enjoy delicious breakfast and lunch foods that are fresh, warm and comforting. With April being National Brunch Month, it is the opportune time to have a mid-morning gathering featuring these delicious breakfast and lunch foods. Dairy is the perfect companion to many brunch dishes,
ST. LOUIS – Today, Mayor Cara Spencer publicly launched CityStat , a portal where anyone can access the City’s performance data on a range of key city services, including pothole repairs, refuse collection, tree removals and more. “CityStat measures what matters and gives my team the information we need to deliver better results. Through this platform, we are tracking a wide range of indicators that reflect the real, everyday experiences of St. Louisans,” said Mayor
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced legislation that would establish a Guardianship Bill of Rights to help protect Veterans from being forced into harmful arrangements and thrown into institutions as part of a new policy announced by the Trump Administration. Specifically, the Trump Administration’s recent policy agreement allows the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to grant U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) attorneys the authority to initiate
SPRINGFIELD – Today, Illinois Trooper Day, the Illinois State Police (ISP), Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois Tollway, and the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation announced every ISP Officer killed in the line of duty will be honored for their sacrifice for the people of Illinois with a memorial sign along Illinois roadways. “The lives and legacies of our fallen State Police Officers deserve to be honored for generations to come, and we will ensure
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois State Fair announces Superstar Trio The Chicks to take the Illinois Lottery Grandstand Stage on Saturday, August 22, 2026 , bringing their powerhouse vocals and award-winning catalog to an already stacked Grandstand line-up. Earning universal recognition as the biggest-selling U.S. female band of all time, The Chicks have sold more than 30.5 million albums and are among an elite group of artists, and the only female group, to achieve multiple “diamond”
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