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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today launched its annual Black History Month campaign, designed to honor and uplift the contributions of Black Illinoisans, business owners and leaders. DCEO, through its Office of Economic Equity & Empowerment (OE3), will host virtual and in-person events throughout February to spotlight long-standing Black businesses across Illinois highlight Black business accomplishments and contributions to the state, and showcase the State of Illinois’ commitment to growing and investing in Black businesses. As part of the month-long celebration, DCEO launched a webpage featuring events and resources, including resources to support Black-owned businesses, a social media toolkit , and more. The 2025 theme, Legacy and Impact, pays homage to Illinois’ rich Black history and celebrates the economic and cultural contributions of Black Illinoisans. “Black-owned businesses are at the heart

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EDWARDSVILLE - EXO Lounge invites the community to come out and enjoy a fun Galentine’s Day evening with specials, champagne, music and more. From 6–10 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, community members can receive plenty of perks at EXO Lounge in Edwardsville to celebrate Galentine’s Day, a holiday modeled after Valentine’s Day that celebrates friendships between women. Lauran Rayner, who organized the party, explained that the goal is to bring friends together and give them a night of affordable luxury. “Basically, we’re just wanting people to grab their girls, their friends, and pamper themselves with a Galentine’s Day event,” Rayner said. “There’s going to be drink specials. They can book their manicure and pedicure during or before the party, and just celebrate that friendship, fun and fabulous vibe.” Attendees can enjoy EXO’s regular nail bar and med spa services in addition to food and drink

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ALTON - 2024 brought another year of excellence in a variety of ways to OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center that encompassed, among other things, clinical operations, service offerings, community outreach, and the introduction of a new – and unique – Mission Partner. First, and most importantly, in terms of clinical excellence, OSF Saint Anthony’s received a total of seven (7) awards/certifications/accreditations in recognition of its diligent dedication to providing and sustaining a patient-centered focus in its health care Ministry. Last year, OSF Saint Anthony’s was the only hospital in the St. Louis metro east region to receive two (2) consecutive “A” grades from The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit watchdog. Leapfrog assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries and infections

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EDWARDSVILLE - SIUE Emeritus Professor Stephen Hansen will explore the myths and legends of Abraham Lincoln at the inaugural event of the 2025 MCHS Speakers Series at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, at the Main Street Community Center in Edwardsville. Hansen isn’t going up against the Super Bowl since his presentation will be completed long before the big game begins. The program is “A Superhero from Another Age: The Legend and Mythology of Abraham Lincoln.” Hansen will explore why we are still fascinated with Abraham Lincoln. At different times, Lincoln has been seen as the Savior of the Union, the Great Emancipator, the Self-Made Man, and the Man of the People. These images and legends are so powerful that nearly every segment of American society has claimed Lincoln to represent them from the American Vegetarian Society to the American Communist Party! Hansen will explore how the Lincoln legend grew and changed over time and why it is important for us today.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) today announced the establishment, leadership, and membership of Senate Judiciary Subcommittees for the 119th Congress. “The Senate Judiciary Committee is arguably the workhorse of Senate committees. The list of historic hearings held before it is long and filled with memorable testimony,” Durbin said. “These are consequential times, but we have a talented group of Democratic members and I look forward to them leading the national debate on the critical issues we face.” “The Senate Judiciary Committee’s broad jurisdiction tasks us with important responsibilities, such as safeguarding Americans and our border, empowering consumers, pursuing justice against criminal offenders, vetting nominees to the federal judiciary and upholding the founding principles of our Constitution,”

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) is encouraging everyone in Illinois to practice how to Drop, Cover, and Hold On! during Earthquake Awareness Month. “A strong earthquake won’t just affect southern Illinois, but the entire state given its proximity to two major seismic zones—the New Madrid Seismic Zone on the border with Missouri and the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone on the border with Indiana,” said Director Alicia Tate Nadeau. “The best way to stay safe during an earthquake is to Drop, Cover, and Hold On! If you practice this regularly, you’ll know exactly what to do during an earthquake because a strong earthquake could easily affect homes and infrastructure throughout Illinois.” Whether you are in your home, a school classroom, a high-rise or other type of building, it is important to know how to protect yourself during an earthquake. Practice what to do during an earthquake

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MACOUPIN COUNTY — Spectrum, the #1 rural internet provider in the nation*, today announced the launch of Spectrum Internet, Mobile, TV and Voice services to more than 315 homes and small businesses in rural areas of Macoupin County. Spectrum’s multi-year Rural Construction Initiative is driven by an approximately $7 billion private investment from Charter and will ultimately connect approximately 1.75 million new homes and small businesses across the country. “Spectrum is bringing gigabit broadband to unserved communities in Illinois and across America,” said Aaron Detwiler, Area Vice President for Spectrum’s Missouri Management Area. “Our investment is making it possible to deliver the high-value broadband, mobile, TV and voice services now available in Macoupin County. We are providing residents and small businesses superior connectivity at highly competitive prices, backed by a team of skilled local technicians and 100% U.S.-based customer

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EDWARDSVILLE - The SIU System is pleased to announce that Moayad "Mo" Abuzaneh, a junior at SIU Edwardsville (SIUE), is the newest member of the SIU Board of Trustees. Abuzaneh was elected by the students of SIUE to serve on the board from January 27 – June 30, 2025. A special election was recently held after the previous SIUE student trustee resigned. “As a board trustee, my main goal is to advocate for SIUE students and ensure their voices are heard at the system level,” said Abuzaneh. “I want to push for initiatives that enhance student life, academic resources and financial accessibility while fostering greater engagement between students and administration.” Abuzaneh was born in Jordan and moved to the United States in 2021. He calls Springfield, Illinois home and is a 2022 graduate of Glenwood High School in Chatham, Illinois. Abuzaneh is majoring in biology at SIUE with a minor in chemistry. He plans to graduate from SIUE in 2026 and go to medical

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CHICAGO - The State of Illinois announced today it has executed a contract for a new seed-to-sale system for Illinois’ growing medical and adult use cannabis programs. Metrc is a highly-configurable, secure, and scalable system that will modernize Illinois’ evolving cannabis industry and regulatory systems. This includes utilizing RFID tags, computerized tags that allow for easier, more accurate entry of information into the system by operators. Through State funding, cannabis business establishments will not be charged for Metrc’s RFID tags, subject to certain restrictions. These new identification tags will reduce manual auditing and increase time for health-related inspections. The State of Illinois’ contract with Metrc also includes additional services, including new reporting tools to help study trends in the industry. “We look forward to this new partnership with Metrc to ensure Illinois continues advancing the safest and most secure cannabis market,&rdquo

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EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt’s office is collecting store-bought or handmade cards for residents in long-term care facilities for Valentine’s Day. “Let’s show our support for our senior community and let them know we are thinking about them on Valentine’s Day,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This is a really simple way to brighten someone’s day.” Individuals are encouraged to write kind notes and drop them off or mail them to Belt’s district offices, located at the Kenneth Hall Regional Office Building, 10 Collinsville Ave., Suite 201A, East St. Louis, IL 62201 or 7 Park Place, Suite C, Swansea, IL 62226. Belt is collecting cards until Monday, Feb. 10 and will deliver them to local long-term care facilities. People with questions can reach out to Belt’s East St. Louis office at (618) 875-1212 or Swansea office at (618) 746-8126.

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WOOD RIVER – At Monday’s City Council meeting, Wood River Mayor Tom Stalcup and Police Chief Brad Wells honored Brendan Lenhardt with the Telecommunicator of the Year award for 2024. Wells spoke highly of Lenhardt as a skilled communicator and multi-tasker, citing him as one of the department’s “success stories.” “Telecommunicator Lenhardt is an outstanding professional and highly dedicated employee,” Wells said. “He consistently demonstrates key qualities such as leadership, resourcefulness, compassion, professionalism, and the ability to multitask – traits that define an exemplary telecommunicator. “Over the past year, Telecommunicator Lenhardt has gone above and beyond, offering to assist in various areas to cover vacant positions in dispatch. He successfully completed the state-approved communications training officer program.” The chief then outlined two occasions on which Lenhardt’s decisive communication

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WOOD RIVER – Wood River Mayor Tom Stalcup and Police Chief Brad Wells presented the 2024 Officer of the Year award to Geoffrey Fester at Monday’s City Council meeting. Wells said this marks the Officer of the Year award’s seventh year running, commending Fester as a worthy recipient. “This year, Jeff is very deserving of that,” Wells said of the award. “It’s with great pleasure to present officer Jeff Fester as the 2024 Officer of the Year for the Wood River Police Department.” He added Fester was formerly an East Alton Police officer who was an “obvious choice” for the Wood River Police Department given his work ethic, compassion for victims, and more. He’s been with the department for four years now, accumulating “extensive experience” on the job. “Officer Fester consistently ranks among the top in documented activity in the department,” Wells said. “He was selected to be part of

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MURPHYSBORO – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigations Zone 7 was requested by the Murphysboro Police Department (MPD) to investigate an officer involved death. On February 4, 2025, at approximately 1:30 a.m., an officer from the MPD attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle that had previously fled from other police agencies. The vehicle failed to stop and the MPD officer lost sight of the vehicle. The vehicle that failed to stop was located crashed near south 14th Street and Spruce Street in Murphysboro. The driver was pronounced deceased on scene. The passenger was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. ISP is leading the open and ongoing investigation. No additional information will be released at this time.

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ALTON - Alton City Clerk Cheryl Ingle is running for reelection, and she believes her 29 years of experience in City Hall will guide her through the next four years in the City Clerk’s position. Ingle shared that she has worked hard to digitize documents and processes in the City Clerk’s office. As “keeper of the building,” she helps maintain City Hall, and she serves as a “liaison” between department heads and City Council. She said she has a lot more she hopes to accomplish, and she can’t wait for the consolidated election on April 1, 2025, so she can get to work. “I’m very proud of what I’ve accomplished,” Ingle said. “And I’ve got several new ideas that I want to start working on.” Since entering the Clerk’s office as a typist 29 years ago, Ingle has worked in almost every department at City Hall. She worked in Planning and Development, then helped with Building and Zoning. She collaborate

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SPRINGFIELD/CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that after a one-week dip, the state’s overall respiratory illness level has ticked up again from Moderate to High, driven by a notable increase in emergency department (ED) visits and hospital admissions for flu. While data for ED visits and hospital admissions for the week ending January 25 show that COVID-19 and RSV are declining, it indicates the flu is circulating more widely. There are three times as many hospital admissions for flu as there are for COVID-19, with 4.6% of admissions attributed to flu, with 1.6% to COVID-19 and 0.7% for RSV. Almost 20% percent of ED visits were for acute respiratory illness, a catchall category that includes flu, COVID-19 and RSV plus other respiratory conditions. Of those, 7.8% were attributed to flu, 1.6% to COVID-19 and 0.7% to RSV. “IDPH continues to closely monitor data on seasonal viruses during this respiratory season,” said IDPH

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ST. CLAIR COUNTY - A 50-year-old motorcyclist from Troy died in a collision with a car Sunday night in St. Clair County. Darroll Clifford Lambert was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, which occurred around 6 p.m. on February 2, 2025, on Scott Troy Road near the intersection of Old Lebanon Troy Road in St. Clair County. The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department responded to the crash and discovered Lambert’s black 1999 Honda motorcycle alongside a maroon 2015 Ford Mustang driven by a female, whose name has not been released. CPR was administered to Lambert until first responders arrived, but he was pronounced deceased at 7:24 p.m. Sunday. The sheriff's department is currently investigating the two-vehicle crash, with assistance from the Illinois State Police traffic crash reconstruction unit. Further details regarding the incident have not been disclosed as the investigation is ongoing.

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PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill. (February 3, 2025) - In recognition of outstanding academic achievement, Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, Illinois, released the college's Dean's List for Fall 2024. The Dean’s List is Trinity Christian College’s highest academic honor. It is recognized for traditional undergraduate students who achieve a semester GPA of 3.5 or better in 12 or more credits with grade points. Brighton, IL 62012: Madison Seymour

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SPRINGFIELD – Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton launched the second cohort of Girls Lead this week, welcoming 93 girls to the innovative mentorship program. The launch, coinciding with both National Mentoring Month and a critical moment for women's leadership in Illinois, pairs participants from grades five through twelve with state government leaders. “You can't be what you can't see, which is why Girls Lead is creating pathways for the next generation," said Lt. Governor Stratton. "The overwhelming response to this program—more than 400 applicants—demonstrates the tremendous interest among girls to see themselves in public service leadership roles." Following a competitive selection process, 90 girls from 31 counties earned spots in the 2025 class. The expanded program includes: 36 middle school students (grades 5-8) and 75 high school students (grades 9-12) Participants from across 29 counties, with the highest representation from Cook (28 participants),

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SPRINGFIELD – 1099-G tax forms are now available for claimants who received unemployment insurance (UI) benefits in 2024, the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today. Claimants who collected UI benefits last year will need the 1099-G tax form to complete their state and federal tax returns. Also called ‘Form 1099-G, Certain Government Payments,’ this form is necessary for individuals who received state or federal UI benefits. This includes claimants who received regular UI benefits or benefits under any of the expired federal pandemic relief programs, which may include Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), Lost Wages Assistance (LWA), Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC), and state Extended Benefits (EB). Claimants who opted to receive their 1099-G tax form electronically have received an email notification with instructions

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ALTON — Recently, Alton High School senior Adelia Sandifer took the initiative to organize a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Showcase aimed at informing incoming freshmen about the various elective classes offered within the CTE department. The event provided a platform for upperclassmen currently enrolled in CTE courses to share their experiences and insights. The AHS higher-level students engaged with the freshmen, answering questions and helping them navigate their options for future studies. Sandifer's efforts were focused on ensuring that the younger students understood the opportunities available to them in the CTE curriculum. The showcase was designed not only to inform but also to encourage participation in elective classes, which play a significant role in preparing students for future careers. By facilitating direct interaction between upperclassmen and freshmen, Sandifer aimed to foster a supportive learning environment and promote the benefits of CTE

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