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SPRINGFIELD - Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 4781, the Kinship in Demand (“KIND”) Act, into law, allowing the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to develop more flexible standards to certify grandparents and other relatives who are able to safely care for youth in DCFS’s care. The bill also creates a path for more youth in care to find permanent homes through guardianship. Studies show that when youth-in-care are able to remain with relatives in stable and familiar homes they often experience better outcomes, a stronger sense of identity and connection, and greater well-being. “Staying in a familiar place and seeing a comforting face every day can make all the difference in the life of a child-in-care,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The KIND Act enhances family finding efforts to ensure we are doing everything we can to identify relatives who can care for and maintain ongoing, supportive connections with our youth

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today joined a coalition of 14 attorneys general in reaffirming their commitment to protecting access to gender-affirming care in the face of the Trump administration’s recent executive order. In Illinois, the Human Rights Act requires health care providers to provide health care to all residents and prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of sex, which specifically includes gender identity. The coalition released the following statement: “As state attorneys general, we stand firmly in support of health care policies that respect the dignity and rights of all people. Health care decisions should be made by patients, families and doctors, not by a politician trying to use his power to restrict your freedoms. Gender-affirming care is essential, lifesaving medical treatment that supports individuals in living as their authentic selves. “The Trump administration’s recent executive order is wrong on the science

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CHICAGO – Today, the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) announced Amy Meek will serve as the agency’s next Deputy Director. Meek is an experienced civil rights attorney and brings an exceptional record of leadership in government and the nonprofit sector. The announcement comes alongside Alex Bautista’s transition from IDHR after nearly 8 years of service to work on special projects with the Governor’s Office of New Americans. “Alex Bautista has been an essential advisor for the last 6 years. He was thoughtful, deliberate, and collaborative,” said IDHR Director Jim Bennett. “I am confident that Amy Meek will rise to the occasion in her new role as she leads our efforts to secure freedom from unlawful discrimination for all individuals in Illinois.” Alex Bautista is a lifelong champion of human rights and has centered his leadership on obtaining equity for all groups protected by the Illinois Human Rights Act. At IDHR, he oversaw

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ALTON - An accomplished senior leaves an impactful legacy in many areas as he winds down his career at Alton High School. This month's Art Fahrner-Edward Jones Remarkable Redbird Gabe Futhey has not only left his mark at Alton High, but he has also left lasting impressions on members of the Alton High staff as well. Gabe has been playing the trumpet since he was in fifth grade and is heavily involved in multiple music organizations at Alton High. As a sophomore, he auditioned for and became part of the wind ensemble. He has been a part of the Illinois Music Education Conference (IMEC). Gabe also went to the University of Illinois in Champaign for a performance with a large number of schools throughout the state that performed at this event. Gabe is a member of the Marching 100 and is also a member of the Jazz Band, who meet once week to practice for performances 3 times per year. Gabe also has a course load of five AP classes (Calculus, Physics, Music Theory, Macroeconomics and Statistics)

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee—and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and their colleagues in releasing the following statement on the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) rescission of policy that allowed servicemembers to get reimbursed for travel and transportation for non-covered reproductive care. Last week, the Senators obtained a memo that updates the Joint Travel Regulations to rescind this policy. “This decision strips away service members’ ability to access the reproductive care they need, which is nothing short of abhorrent. It runs contrary to a core goal of the Department of Defense—to ensure the health and wellbeing of all our service members so that our force remains ready at all times to protect Americans and keep this nation safe. “U.S. service members have no control

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EDWARDSVILLE – The City is organizing its first-ever Choco-Lotta-Fun Crawl as a community celebration of all things chocolate in Edwardsville. The crawl is planned for Saturday, March 1, 2025, and businesses in Edwardsville are invited to join in the fun at their own place of operation. This cocoa collaboration aims to entice visitors to spend an entire day checking out the chocolate concoctions and items that Edwardsville’s retail and restaurant business community members offer. In the weeks leading up to the Choco-Lotta-Fun Crawl, the City will use social media to promote the event and its own activities, and also list eligible business participants that register for it via the City’s website. “Chocolate is pretty universally loved, and we know our Edwardsville businesses will come up with some creative ways to cater to all of the chocolate fans out there,” Mayor Art Risavy said. “It’s always great to see people shopping, dining and enjoying

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) slammed the Trump Administration for their decision to issue an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo last week to “temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement” of trillions of dollars of Federal financial assistance, which caused mass confusion about the funding and operations of hundreds of government-funded programs ranging from Medicaid, to Head Start, to Violence Against Women Act grants. “Last week, I came to the floor to talk about the pain that President Trump’s proposed freeze on federal funding and loans would cause Americans. I want to share a few more since I spoke on the floor last week. Sharpsburg is near my hometown in Springfield, Illinois, and it has a water system in Christian County. It is in phase three of construction of their rural water project. 18 miles of pipeline providing water to 50 new rural customers.

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When it comes to ambulances and the services they provide, Lisa Reid , APRN, knows a thing or two because she’s seen a thing or two. The family medicine provider at OSF HealthCare was an ambulance first responder for more than 15 years before moving to the nursing side of things. As such, she’s heard a lot of “Should I do this or that?” when calling an ambulance. Now, it’s time to clear up the misconceptions. Who’s coming to get me? Should I be concerned about their qualifications? Reid says different first responders can do different things, but you can be assured you’ll get the care you need. “Paramedics have more training in life-saving skills. They can do things like intubation and give intravenous medications," Reid explains. "Emergency medical technicians provide more basic care. They help stabilize the person and get them ready for transport. They also usually drive.” Where should I wait? Reid says if you’re

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EDWARDSVILLE - Patricia Lowe, a longtime Edwardsville resident and healthcare administrator, has announced her candidacy for the Edwardsville District 7 School Board. With over two decades of community involvement and extensive leadership experience, Lowe brings a wealth of expertise in administration, education, and community advocacy to her campaign. "As a mother of four District 7 graduates and a 24-year resident of this community, I have a deep understanding of our school system's strengths and the challenges we face," says Lowe. "My experience in healthcare administration, coupled with my background in education and community service, uniquely positions me to contribute to the continued success of our schools." Lowe's professional background includes eight years as Administrator of a healthcare facility in Troy, Illinois, where she has demonstrated strong leadership in operations management, staff development, and fiscal oversight. She holds an associate degree in healthcare

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EDWARDSVILLE — The NAACP Edwardsville Branch is celebrating the 90th birthday of Dr. Carl Jason Sr., a prominent figure in the community and a former president of the organization. The tribute was announced in a recent post on the branch's social media platform, recognizing Dr. Jason's significant contributions to civil rights and community advocacy. Dr. Jason, honored as a "true living legend," has dedicated his life to the fight for justice and equality, Traci Daniels, president of the Edwardsville branch of the NAACP said. "His efforts have been instrumental in breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations." The Edwardsville branch of the NAACP proclamation accompanying the announcement highlights his leadership and unwavering commitment to uplifting the community. The NAACP Edwardsville Branch continues to honor his legacy and the impact he has made on countless lives throughout his career. The Edwardsville

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ALTON - Alton High School’s Construction Trades program recently donated their time and labor to build a Little Free Pantry in Alton. The students of the Construction Trades class are definite Difference Makers in their community. On Feb. 5, 2025, students and Construction Trades teacher Derrick Davault stopped by Centerstone at 2615 Edwards Street in Alton to celebrate the unveiling of the new Little Free Pantry . The pantry is stocked with nonperishable foods, personal hygiene products, household items and more, and it is available for community members to take from and donate to. Davault explained that Brittany McCrady, LCSW, at Centerstone reached out and asked if the Construction Trades class would contribute to the project. Centerstone supplied the lumber, and Alton High School donated the tin. The class worked together to build the pantry for the community. “We started small, but then I was like, ‘Let’s make it huge.’ And we did,”

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ALTON - Centerstone has unveiled a new Little Free Pantry for community members to take from and donate to. Located at 2615 Edwards Street in Alton, Centerstone provides mental health and substance use treatment for Riverbend residents. They have officially launched their Little Free Pantry, a red box on Main Street where people can drop off or take nonperishable foods, personal care items and more. “One thing I’d really love to drive home is that it’s here on Centerstone’s property, but it is genuinely for our Alton community and neighbors,” said Brittany McCrady, LCSW, who helped initiate the Little Free Pantry’s installation. “Everyone can give to it as they’re able. Everyone can help keep it clean and safe and put together. Everyone can come use it and take from it what they need.” McCrady noted that Little Free Pantry is an international movement. Communities across the country have Little Free Pantries available. Du

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A diverse array of exciting events awaits in the Riverbend area, catering to all interests—from engaging children’s programs and lively music nights to community gatherings and educational workshops. Explore the full lineup of activities and find something that piques your interest by visiting https://www.riverbender.com/events/ . If you want to make sure even more of the region is aware of your event email cj@riverbender.com and explore our range of Event Promotion Services! Featured Galentine’s Day Party at EXO Lounge invites you to celebrate friendship and love at EXO Lounge! Gather your best ladies and enjoy an evening filled with fun, laughter, and indulgence. Highlights include themed cocktails crafted to perfection, lavish treats to satisfy your sweet tooth, and vibrant beats to keep the party lively. There’s no better love than the bond between friends, making this event the perfect excuse to toast to the ladies in your life. Don’t miss

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EDWARDSVILLE – New details have emerged in the recent Madison County case of an Edwardsville man accused of possessing and disseminating child pornography. James T. Berry, 24, of Edwardsville, was charged on Jan. 23, 2025 with seven counts of child pornography, including three Class X felonies and four Class 2 felonies. A petition filed in Madison County court to keep Berry detained brings further insights into the investigation that lead to his arrest. “In September and October 2024, the Edwardsville Police Department received cybertips from the Internet Crimes Against Children data system,” the petition states. “The tip was generated via a report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) from the mobile messaging website Kik. “The cybertip reported multiple files containing child sexual abuse material had been uploaded by a user identified through multiple sources to be the defendant. On Jan. 22, 2025, the defendant was interviewe

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HOYLETON – IMPACT Strategies recently completed the last phase of new construction with the Administration Building to serve the Hoyleton Youth and Family Services (HYFS) New Campus, a momentous project for the organization and all the stakeholders that they serve. The new campus replacing the original one built over 100 year ago provides a new therapeutic living environment for vulnerable youth in the foster care system. As the design builder on the project, IMPACT Strategies collaborated with Hurford Architects and TWM Engineering during the planning and design phases. The new residential campus in Hoyleton, IL allows youth who are both developmentally and intellectually delayed to heal and grow in a trauma-informed therapeutic environment.’ The campus includes 6 six-bedroom family style cottages, an administrative building with therapy rooms, visitation rooms, large training center and two conference rooms, maintenance building and expansion/renovation of the existing

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) to make it easier for parents to safely embark on air travel with breast milk and breastfeeding supplies successfully passed through the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST). The Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Enhancement Act , which Duckworth reintroduced last week alongside co-leads U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), would require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to clarify and regularly update guidance on handling breast milk, baby formula and other related nutrition products, including ice packs, in consultation with leading maternal health groups. This swift committee passage comes after the bipartisan legislation passed the Senate by unanimous consent late last year in the 118th Congress. “After hearing far too many stories about traveling moms being

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GODFREY – English Professor Jen Fuhler and Student Success Specialist and Speech Adjunct Mary Busler have been chosen by their peers as Lewis and Clark Community College’s nominees for the Illinois Community College Trustees Association’s (ICCTA) Outstanding Full-Time and Adjunct Faculty Member awards. The nominations, which were announced during January’s in-service week leading up to the spring semester, recognize the instructors’ high achievements. Jen Fuhler, ICCTA Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Nominee Fuhler, who is an English professor, was surprised when her name was called. “I am humbled by this recognition from my colleagues,” Fuhler said. “I appreciate the freedom I have to research and explore new pathways, including competency-based education.” Fuhler, who teaches First-Year English, Non-Western Cultures and Multicultural American Literature, was hired as a full-time faculty member in 2006. A

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ST. CHARLES COUNTY, MO. — Cameron Cross, an 18-year-old resident of East St. Louis, has been charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with the homicide of 17-year-old Jaimarcus P. McDaniel. The charges were announced by the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on February 4, 2025, following an investigation into the incident that occurred in Jennings, Mo., on January 6. According to the probable cause statement, a St. Louis County patrol officer discovered McDaniel lying face down in the snow in an open field during the early morning hours. Following the discovery, a suspicious death investigation was initiated, leading to the identification of McDaniel as the deceased. The investigation revealed that Cross and three juvenile accomplices — identified only as K.F., M.L., and C.B. — picked up McDaniel from his home in Illinois and drove him to Jennings, MO. Once there, the three juvenile males exited the vehicle with McDaniel

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ALTON - During a candidate forum on Feb. 4, 2025, the two Alton City Clerk candidates introduced themselves and shared their platforms with voters. The East End Improvement Association, in partnership with RiverBender.com , The Telegraph and The Big Z, hosted the forum at the Great Rivers Hotel. Aldermanic candidates and mayoral candidates were also in attendance; you can read more about the aldermanic candidates here and read more about the mayoral candidates here . The City Council race is contested between incumbent Cheryl Ingle and current Deputy City Clerk Lauren Wilson. Ingle has worked for the City of Alton for 29 years. She started in the City Clerk’s office and has worked in the Development and Planning and Building and Zoning departments, the Comptroller’s office, the Treasurer’s office, and payroll. In these departments, she worked on the construction of the Alton police station and the conversion of the Humboldt School into the Humboldt

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ALTON - Alton aldermanic candidates had the chance to introduce themselves to the community at a candidate forum. On Feb. 4, 2025, the East End Improvement Association sponsored the forum at Great Rivers Hotel in Alton. Candidates could share more about their platforms. Mayoral candidates also answered questions submitted by the audience; for a full story about the mayoral candidates, click here . Unopposed candidates did not speak, but they were in attendance. Unopposed candidates include Elizabeth “Betsy” Allen, who is running for the treasurer position, and Ward 1 candidate Chris Bohn and Ward 7 candidate Patricia Ford. Ward 2 Ward 2 sees a contested race, with incumbent Caroline MacAfee challenged by Tiana Gipson and Martha Pfister. Gipson is running for the Ward 2 alderperson chair as well as running for reelection on the Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education. She is focused on infrastructure, beautification, community awareness

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