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ALTON — The 20th Annual Memorial Day Sunset Ceremony on Monday evening, May 26, 2025, took on special significance as the late Richard Baird was honored for his long-standing dedication to the event and the community. Baird coordinated the ceremony for 19 years and contributed to this year’s event before his death on April 19, 2025. On Monday night, he was remembered for his service, leadership, and commitment to preserving the Alton National Cemetery. The Monday ceremony took place at Alton National Cemetery, where Baird’s son, Robert Baird, served as master of ceremonies. Robert, principal of St. Ambrose School, spoke about his father’s efforts prior to starting the Sunset Ceremony, including leading a crucial cleanup of the cemetery. “In the beginning, we realized we needed to initiate some improvements,” Robert said. “It was a passing idea one day — wow, that looks terrible, let’s do something about it.” Richard

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ALTON — The City of Alton held its 158th Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 26, 2025, continuing a longstanding tradition to honor fallen veterans. Organized and sponsored by the East End Improvement Association, the parade drew significant community participation and took place along a route through Upper Alton. The event began at 10 a.m. Monday, with parade participants assembling at Alton Middle School. The procession traveled up College Avenue to Washington Street, then down to Edwards Street, over to Main Street, back up College Avenue, and finally down Washington Street to the Upper Alton Cemetery. Bill Varble, a Vietnam War ranger and local veteran, served as this year’s parade marshal. Steve Schwartz, who helps oversee the parade, emphasized the significance of Memorial Day and the parade’s role in remembering those who have served. “Memorial Day is for the fallen. That’s the importance. Let’s not forget what this day and what this parade

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators John Ossoff (D-GA) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) in reintroducing legislation to ban stock trading by Members of Congress. The Ban Congressional Stock Trading Act would require all members of Congress, their spouses and dependent children to place their stocks into a qualified blind trust or divest the holding—ensuring they cannot use inside information to influence their stock trades and make a profit. “As Donald Trump continues to corruptly enrich himself and his billionaire friends through luxury jets from foreign powers, suspicious market manipulation and shady cryptocurrency scams, Congress must lead by example to help restore trust and integrity in government,” said Duckworth. “That is why I’m proud to help reintroduce the Ban Congressional Stock Trading Act to ensure every Member of Congress complies with this commonsense, ethical best practice.” The American people

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EDWARDSVILLE – Metro-East Lutheran High School has officially released its full Honor Roll lists for the fourth quarter of the 2024-25 school year. Grade 9 Honor Roll with High Distinction (g.p.a. 4.0) Abby Ayer, Shiloh Liam Hazelwonder, Godfrey Marion Hemmer, Caseyville Claire Houck, Maryville Collin Hudzik, Edwardsville Calista Stults, Collinsville Honor Roll with Distinction (g.p.a. 3.75-3.99) Elijah Ball, Worden Madison Dunn, Edwardsville Lyla Eggebrecht, Wood River Oliver Elmer, Edwardsville Noah Gray, Collinsville Caitlyn Hardage, Caseyville Lily Hartzel, Troy Moira Krueger, Glen Carbon Laynie Menard, Glen Carbon Preston Menossi, Edwardsville Ally Packer, Edwardsville Cole Payne, Edwardsville Matthew Redden, Edwardsville Henry Reiseck, Hamel Molly Schulmeister, Staunton Ryan Sullivan, New Douglas Owen Trackwell, Maryville Lily Walloch, Collinsville Josie Wright, Edwardsville Honor

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today issued the following statement after a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration’s executive order targeting the law firm Jenner & Block LLP is unconstitutional and entered a permanent injunction blocking the administration from enforcing the order. Since taking office, President Trump has issued unconstitutional executive orders targeting several law firms that have represented or employed political opponents of the administration or have expressed viewpoints disfavored by the administration. In April, Raoul co-led a coalition of attorneys general filing an amicus brief in support of Jenner & Block’s lawsuit challenging the order. “I am pleased the court recognized that this executive order is blatantly unconstitutional and has barred the Trump administration from enforcing it. Allowing a U.S. President to punish law firms based on who they employ or represent is not only unconstitutional, but

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CHICAGO – As co-chair of the Attorney General Alliance’s (AGA) Organized Retail Crime Working Group, Attorney General Kwame Raoul partnered with the AGA to convene local, state and federal law enforcement officials, legal professionals and industry leaders for an Auto Theft Symposium in Chicago. The symposium brought together law enforcement representatives with auto industry leaders OnStar and General Motors to discuss collaborative theft prevention strategies to deter and reduce vehicular hijacking and auto thefts throughout Illinois. The symposium featured presentations by leaders from the FBI, Chicago Police Department, General Motors and OnStar. Discussions focused on the impact auto thefts have on public safety at large, as well as the role public-private law enforcement collaborations play in reducing vehicular hijacking, auto thefts and related crimes. Raoul convened the symposium following conversations with the Cook County Sheriff’s Department and Lemont

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ALTON — The 158th Memorial Day parade took place in Alton on Monday, honoring veterans and community members. The event featured parade marshal Bill Varble, a Vietnam veteran, accompanied by his wife, Judy. The parade was sponsored and organized by the East End Improvement Association and staged by the Alton Optimist Club. Mark Cappel of the Alton Optimist Club and Steve Schwartz, a spokesperson for the Alton Halloween Parade, were also involved in the staging and coordinating of the event. “Parade marshal Bill Varble is a Vietnam veteran from 1968 to 1969. He was a ranger and we are proud to have him as a parade marshal. He and his wife rode in the car,” Schwartz said. He added that the Alton Optimist Club “always does an outstanding job” staging the parade. The annual Memorial Day parade serves as a community tribute to those who have served in the military, continuing a long-standing tradition in Alton.

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt is co-sponsoring a measure that will prohibit students from using their cellphones in school during instruction time by the 2026-2027 school year. “Many kids aren’t learning when they have the option to sit on their phone and use social media instead of paying attention in class,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This measure gives considerable choice to the individual school district, allowing them to adopt a plan that works best for them.” By the 2026-2027 school year, school districts would have to adopt a policy that prohibits students from using cellphones in school during instructional time. School board members have the flexibility to adopt a policy based on the needs of their community. The school board's policy has to allow exceptions for medical reasons, for kids with disabilities, for English learners to access learning materials, and for school-issued devices. Each school district’s plan ca

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SPRINGFIELD - Comptroller Susana Mendoza’s Dog Days of Summer campaign kicks off today and will run each Tuesday through Labor Day. The effort, in its second year, features dogs available for adoption from shelters around the state who are desperately looking for a new family. “I am honored to carry on the Comptroller’s Critters program started by my dear friend Judy Baar Topinka, and our social media effort will help match dogs in need with people to love them” said Comptroller Mendoza. Comptroller’s Critters features an online database of participating shelters around the state, searchable by county. Links to shelter websites, addresses and other information is available, including tips about pet adoption and care. Illinois shelters that would like to be added to the database should email: critters@illinoiscomptroller.gov . “We have worked with Comptroller Mendoza’s office for a number of years, and are thankful for

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EDWARDSVILLE – Three men have been charged in connection with an Edwardsville Police Department investigation into an ATM alarm that sounded at a local bank early Thursday, May 22, 2025. Officers responded to the ATM alarm in the 100 block of South Main Street. While investigating the alarm, responding officers located a suspicious vehicle in the area. Upon further investigation, the following three subjects were taken into custody: Jose Mora Herrera, 24, H/M; Keyler Gimenez Barreto, 19, H/M; Carlos A. Marcanos-Gonzalez, 27, H/M; On Friday, May 23, the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office issued two criminal charges each on Herrera, Barreto, and Marcanos-Gonzalez: COUNT 1 – Attempted Theft, a class 3 felony COUNT 2 – Computer Tampering, a class 4 felony The three were in custody as of Tuesday, May 27, at the Madison County Jail pending a detention hearing. These charges, as well as the statements made herein, are based upon probable cause.

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GRANITE CITY — An EF3 tornado struck the Greater St. Louis area on the afternoon of Friday, May 16, 2025, causing significant damage and resulting in five fatalities in the City of St. Louis. The tornado severely impacted the Granite City area, prompting an ongoing cleanup effort led by the city’s Public Works Department in coordination with the Madison County Highway Department, the Metro East Sanitary District (MESD), and the Granite City Parks District. Granite City Mayor Mike Parkinson expressed gratitude for the collaborative response. “Thank you to the Granite City Public Works Department, the Madison County Highway Department, along with MESD and Granite City Parks District for their assistance in the cleanup. They did a great job,” Parkinson said. Cleanup operations are continuing, and the city has implemented a new plan to assist residents affected by the storm. Mayor Parkinson said those still in need of cleanup or other urgent assistance are encouraged

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COLLINSVILLE - The Collinsville Police Department is seeking assistance in locating Maria Webb, who currently has four active felony warrants. The warrants include three issued by the Collinsville Police Department and one from a neighboring agency. Webb is wanted in connection with two separate retail theft incidents and for unlawfully possessing a weapon as a felon. Authorities are asking anyone with information about Webb’s whereabouts to contact the Collinsville Police Department at 618-344-2131, extension 5209. Callers can remain anonymous. The department also encouraged Webb to turn herself in to any police department to address the outstanding warrants. “These charges and statements made herein are based upon probable cause. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty,” the police department stated.

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EDWARDSVILLE - You can join Main Street Community Center on a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From Branson to South Africa, the Edwardsville community center will sponsor multiple overnight trips within the next year. Lori Johnassee, who coordinates these travel opportunities, encourages people to reach out now to learn about the trips and sign up as early as possible. “It’s a great joy to see people connect with other people,” Johnassee said. “We have been here 50 years now, helping and building programs, and travel has become a very important part of that. It’s the community. It's the camaraderie. It’s finding new friends. It’s keeping yourself active and healthy so that you can continue to age gracefully. Then, the benefits come back directly to our center, where we get to share those benefits right back to you.” From Sept. 20–27, 2025, community members can embark on a coach trip to Coastal Virginia and the Outer Banks. This

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BELLEVILLE – The American Water Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization established by American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., along with Illinois American Water, announced today it is now accepting applications for its inaugural Hydration Station Grant Program from eligible organizations within its service areas. This new initiative aims to boost confidence and trust in tap water and reduce single-use plastic waste by providing sustainable hydration options in public spaces. “We’re committed to providing access to clean, safe and reliable water service,” stated Rebecca Losli, President of Illinois American Water. “Through funding provided by the American Water Charitable Foundation, this program is designed to make safe and healthy hydration with tap water more accessible in public spaces while promoting environmental stewardship.” Selected recipients will receive funding

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BELLEVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that intermittent daytime lane closures will take place on Green Mount Road over Loop Creek, just north of Illinois 177 in St. Clair County, weather permitting, on Thursday, May 29. The lane closures are necessary for the evaluation of pavement conditions. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all signage and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that ramp closures on eastbound and westbound Interstate 55/70/64 will start, weather permitting, at 4 a.m. Saturday, May 31, 2025 for road construction. Traffic will be restricted at the following locations: Eastbound ramp near Barack Obama Avenue/East St. Louis exit Westbound ramp near the St. Clair Avenue entrance ramp at mile marker 1 Additionally, the following ramp will be fully closed: St. Clair Avenue entrance ramp to southbound I-55/westbound I-64 All ramps are expected to reopen by 10 p.m. the same day. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view

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JERSEYVILLE – A woman from Jerseyville faces a felony charge after stabbing someone with a pair of scissors while on pretrial release from custody. Christina M. Carraway (also known as Christina M. McAdams), 36, of Jerseyville, was charged on May 19, 2025 with one count of aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony. On May 16, 2025, Carraway allegedly stabbed the victim “multiple times with a pair of scissors,” according to court documents. A petition to deny Carraway’s pretrial release notes that at the time of this incident, she was out on pretrial release from a prior case of forgery filed earlier this year. The petition also states Carraway attacked the victim inside their shared residence. Carraway was arrested by the Jerseyville Police Department and currently remains in custody at the Jersey County Jail. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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CHICAGO – With several strong storms causing damage across Illinois recently, Attorney General Kwame Raoul today warned Illinois residents to be on alert for scammers looking to exploit homeowners and business owners who may need repairs from storm-related damage. Raoul cautioned residents that scammers often move quickly into communities to take advantage of people with damage to their homes or businesses. Raoul noted these “storm chasers” use the opportunity to pressure people into making quick and often expensive decisions about cleanup and construction work. Raoul also warned residents that scam artists may be operating as public adjusters who offer so-called “free” inspections to help property owners submit claims to their insurance companies. “Just as severe weather during Illinois spring months is inevitable, so too are the scammers attempting to take advantage of the devastation left in the storms’ wake,” Raoul said. “I encourag

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today, as part of a coalition of 19 attorneys general, submitted a comment letter opposing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) interim final rule that makes significant changes to the 2024 Unaccompanied Children Program Foundational Rule. Raoul and the coalition argue that these changes will deter prospective sponsors, many of whom are parents or close relatives, from coming forward to sponsor unaccompanied children, prolonging the time these children spend in federal custody. “Holding unaccompanied immigrant children in federal custody for prolonged periods of time further traumatizes these children and does not represent the morals of the American people,” Raoul said. “We must do everything possible to unite immigrant children with sponsors, who are oftentimes family members, and support their smooth transition into their new communities. I am proud to stand with my colleagues to protect

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26), and Congressman Morgan McGarvey (KY-03) introduced the Improving Veterans’ Experience Act to codify the Veterans Experience Office (VEO) within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VEO, established in 2015, gathers feedback directly from veterans, their families, and caregivers on their experience with VA services. VEO has been crucial to improving veterans' trust in VA outpatient care, enhancing digital experiences with the VA Health and Benefits Mobile App and expanding direct outreach to veterans about resources, special eligibility windows, and other important information. “There is no better way to improve VA services than to hear from the veterans, family members and caregivers who are navigating the process firsthand,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “By giving veterans a voice and putting their insights into action, VEO has made VA services

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