CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today opposed a U.S. Department of Labor proposed rule to dramatically alter the standard for how workers are classified as independent contractors under federal law. Raoul and a coalition of attorneys general and state and city labor agencies submitted comments in opposition to the rule, which would lead to more workers being misclassified as independent contractors and leave them without wage, overtime and other protections tied to employee status.
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, with 19 attorneys general, sent a comment letter opposing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) proposed rule that would effectively prevent asylum seekers from obtaining legal employment, which would be economically devastating to them and their families. DHS approves asylum seekers’ applications for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) that are necessary to obtain legal work. The proposed rule effectively would pause
ALTON/JERSEYVILLE - The Metro East region, including Alton, Jerseyville, and East Alton, was hit with significant hail during severe storms on Monday, April 27, 2026, according to the National Weather Service. Hail is a form of solid precipitation in the form of ice pellets. “There was a lot of hail yesterday around the region," said Jon Carney, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in St. Louis. "The largest hail in Madison County was about 2 inches. Jersey had a hail report
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) led 40 of her House colleagues in a letter to REI Co-op urging them to return to the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith, as required by federal law, to reach a fair collective bargaining agreement with unionized workers at stores across the country. The letter was co-led by Rep. Dan Goldman (NY-10) and Congressional Labor Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Norcross (NJ-01), Pocan (WI-02), Dingell (MI-06), and Horsford (NV-04).
ALTON — Centerstone hosts an event focused on connection, mental health awareness and hope Thursday, May 7, 2026, at its Alton office. Centerstone team members invite the community to the unveiling of “The Weight of the Shadow” sculpture by artist Ariana Berman and commissioned by Lucas McKenney. The piece represents the unseen emotional burdens many individuals carry with them through their daily lives. “This piece is more than art, it’s an invitation to pause,
STAUNTON – Lily Dothager and Vivienne Dothager, both of Staunton, have each earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting. Lily earned her Gold Award by providing much needed renovation to Staunton Fireman's Park bathrooms. Vivienne developed an Everyone Understands Kindness initiative to promote understanding and education about the deaf and hard of hearing community. Lily Dothager – Park It: Staunton Fireman's Park Bathroom Remodel Lily wanted to better
GRANITE CITY — More than 130 high school students from across the Metro-East and the surrounding region gathered at Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) for the 2026 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Showcase—an event designed to highlight student talent and connect education directly to workforce opportunities. Hosted at SWIC’s Sam Wolf Granite City Campus, the event featured hands-on competitions in carpentry, welding, health sciences, education, marketing, and advanced
The “fresh” smell after rain isn’t just clean air—it’s a chemical signal that life is waking up, soil is breathing, and plants are quietly sending messages. That scent feels comforting because it’s familiar and because your nose is picking up a real mix of compounds released when water hits dry ground and leaves. Some of those chemicals come from bacteria in the soil. Others come from plants under stress. A few even come from the air itself. Together, they
On April 28, 1945, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini was executed by anti-fascist partisans near Lake Como, just days before the end of World War II in Europe. At the time, his death marked the collapse of fascist rule in Italy and signaled how quickly wartime power could unravel when military defeat and public support both disappeared. It still matters because it helped shape Italy’s postwar transition away from dictatorship, influenced how Europe dealt with former authoritarian leaders,
ALTON - The Alton Police Department has filed charges against a St. Louis man after investigators say he robbed a convenience store at gunpoint and was arrested minutes later while trying to break into another business. Alton Police said the investigation began about 8:56 a.m. April 26, 2026, when officers were dispatched to a report of an armed robbery at the Phillips 66 convenience store at 1660 E. Broadway in Alton, Illinois. A male suspect, later identified as Jesse J. Williams, 35, of St.
JERSEYVILLE – Recycling guidelines for Jerseyville and Jersey County residents are now available as the city and county move forward with recycling services at the city dump , with related items set for City Council consideration. According to the April 28, 2026 City Council agenda , dump stickers sales are underway at Jerseyville City Hall, and the newest round of stickers will remain valid until April 30, 2027. Dump permit holders are required to show proof of residency using either
COLLINSVILLE — The Illinois Department of Transportation announced Monday that drivers will encounter lane restrictions on southbound Interstate 255 over Illinois 162 starting Tuesday morning as crews close the right lane and the exit ramp for emergency bridge repairs. The restrictions are scheduled to begin Tuesday, April 28, at 7 a.m., weather permitting, in Collinsville. IDOT said District 8 Operations crews need to perform “necessary emergency bridge repairs.” All lanes
ALTON – Two local men face felony charges after a firearm sale reportedly turned into an armed robbery in Wood River. Treshaun L. Butler, 18, of Alton, and Sirahjay Collins, 20, of East Alton, were both charged on April 20, 2026 with one count each of armed robbery (both Class X felonies), mob action, and aggravated unlawful possession of weapons (each Class 4 felonies). On April 17, 2026, the two allegedly knowingly acted together to rob another individual of U.S. currency by use o
HARTFORD - Community members can have an immersive experience at the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10, 2026, the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site will host their annual Departure Event, complete with historic demonstrations, reenactors and more. Mike Bortko shared that this is the “red-letter weekend” for the historic site, and he looks forward to engaging with community members and teaching them about the journey
GLEN CARBON - Illinois State Police Troop 8 responded Monday afternoon, April 27, 2026, to a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 270 in Madison County after one vehicle reportedly hydroplaned and went off the road, with no injuries and no lane blockages reported. The crash was reported at about 2:24 p.m. April 27, 2026, on I-270 eastbound near milepost 12, west of Illinois 159, according to preliminary information provided by Illinois State Police. “A preliminary investigation indicates the
CREVE COEUR - Precision TMS is exploring new ways to treat depression. Located in Creve Coeur, Missouri, Precision TMS offers transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a noninvasive procedure where magnets stimulate the brain. TMS has been approved to treat depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Tom Malone, CEO of Precision TMS, wants to help patients recover through TMS and ketamine treatments. He is curious to learn more about how psychedelics can treat psychiatric conditions,
EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville High School boys tennis coach Dave Lipe said the program’s senior players have been “a great group” this season, citing their leadership and "team-first approach" in Edwardsville. The senior boys are shown above, from left standing with their banners - Lucas Hutton, Brandon Wong, John Almos, Milo Kathriner, Ian McGinness, Kelen McDonald, Isaac Chieboun, Lucas Rudd, and Schaefer Bates. The senior tennis boys are Spencer Homes Male Athletes Of
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School junior McKenna Lee was selected by composer Eric Whitacre to perform a solo during an April 13, 2026, concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City while traveling with the EHS Choir, according to Edwardsville School District #7. The Edwardsville School District said Lee was “personally selected by renowned composer Eric Whitacre to perform the solo in his arrangement of Hurt ” during the performance. Lee described the moment as
Closings Monday, April 27, 2026 School Closings Brooklyn Unit District 188, closing at 1 p.m. Carrollton Community Unit School District 1, closing at 1 p.m. East St. Louis School District 189, closing 2 hours early. Lewis and Clark Community College is switching to remote operations at 1 p.m. Metro East Montessori - Granite City, early dismissal 2 hours. Other Closings The Edwardsville YMCA closed at 4 p.m. The Niebur 24/7 Fitness Center will remain available for those with 24/7 access.
ALTON - Alton High School boys tennis coach Jesse Macias has nominated senior Joe Ventimiglia for athlete of the month after Ventimiglia posted a 12-10 record and placed fifth at No. 2 singles in the Springfield JD Sinnock tournament over the weekend. Ventimigilia is the Auto Butler Male Athlete of the Month for Alton High. Macias, who teaches in Alton High School’s social studies department and coaches the school’s girls and boys tennis teams, said Ventimiglia delivered th
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