Riverbender 🕸

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space and Innovation—today excoriated Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford for failing to implement urgently needed recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) final report on the DCA midair collision that would strengthen the safety of our aviation system and prevent future tragedies. During today’s

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS – In celebration of Memorial Day and our nation’s upcoming 250th birthday, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois and U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft proudly recognize Robert “Bob” Gill, 99, from Jerseyville, as the recipient of the Hometown Hero Award. Over the course of his 30-year military career, Gill served the United States in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Gill’s lifetime of extraordinary servic

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt advanced a measure designed to remove unfair barriers to employment for people living with disabilities. “People living with disabilities deserve the same opportunity to work, build a career and live with dignity as anyone else,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “They should not be denied opportunities because of outdated hiring practices that fail to account for how people actually travel in their communities.” The legislation

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement during a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing entitled “Enforcing Callais : Implementing the Supreme Court’s Command Against Racial Gerrymandering.” The hearing follows the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Louisiana v. Callais , in which the Court further eviscerated the VRA and held that Louisiana’s congressional

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) recognizes the importance of Illinois’ hospitality industry and the vital role it plays in supporting economic development throughout the state. Illinois breweries, brew pubs, distilleries, and wineries not only create jobs, but also serve as gathering places where communities come together to celebrate and connect. To continue supporting our licensees and promoting these businesses, the ILCC now offers a Brewery, Brew Pub,

UPDATED 5.19.26: The closures on Interstate 55/70 in St. Clair County previously scheduled to begin May 18 have been rescheduled for Monday, June 1, due to weather and anticipated Memorial Day travel. Traffic impacts and project details remain unchanged. MADISON – The Illinois Department of Transportation is continuing multiple coordinated improvements along the Interstate 55/70 corridor in St. Clair County to improve safety, mobility and road conditions. Beginning Monday, May 18 Jun

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of states, filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education over a new rule that unlawfully limits access to federal student loans for students pursuing professional degrees, including in healthcare and other critical workforce fields. “This rule will cut off access for many qualified students and will worsen nationwide labor shortages in vital fields, including nursing and physical therapy. Students interested

JERSEYVILLE — Students in an Intro to Design class at Jersey Community High School took part in a county fair simulation, an activity their teacher hopes will build interest in the Jersey County Fair Exhibition in July 2026. Kyrie Pfleger was named Grand Champion, and Maleah Derrick was named Reserve Grand Champion in the competition. Jersey Community Unit School District 100 said the students registered online and selected from six categories tied to the course curriculum.

NEW BADEN, Ill. – State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) has pledged to donate the legislative pay raise he voted against to different local organizations throughout his district to help families in need. This month, he donated a variety of essential items including toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, cereal, pancake mix, syrup, and canned chicken to the food pantry at Zion United Church of Christ in New Baden. “I’m proud to support local food pantries across m

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After 80 days of Donald Trump’s unjustified war of choice in Iran, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) will join U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Andy Kim (D-NJ)—along with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY)—in forcing a vote on Senator Kaine’s War Powers Resolution to immediately withdraw U.S. Armed Forces

WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, criticized the Trump Administration and congressional Republicans for prioritizing a partisan reconciliation bill that will cost $70 billion in taxpayer dollars for President Trump’s cruel mass deportation campaign while Americans across the country are struggling to afford groceries or fill their gas tank. Durbin began his remarks by

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) reached a settlement with Metz Culinary Management, LLC (Metz) following an investigation into alleged violations of the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003, including unlawful requests for job applicants’ salary history and retaliation against an employee who raised concerns about those practices. Metz, a dining services provider with multi-state operations, was awarded a contract to operate dining services at an Illinois college.

EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School students who are learning American Sign Language visited Goshen Elementary School to read and sign stories to kindergarten classes. On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, the high schoolers spent an hour reading their favorite children’s books to the kids and teaching them basic American Sign Language (ASL). Edwardsville High School teachers Danielle Bruno and Kelly Dintelman are proud to share the language and culture with their students, and they hope the

On May 20, 325 CE, church leaders from across the Roman Empire gathered in the city of Nicaea (in today’s Türkiye) for what became known as the First Council of Nicaea. The immediate problem was a fierce dispute about how Christians should understand the relationship between Jesus and God the Father—an argument that was dividing communities and, in the eyes of Emperor Constantine, threatening public order. The council mattered then because it aimed to settle a conflict that ha

JERSEYVILLE - The 7th and 8th grade students at St. Francis Holy Ghost School have proven that young people can make an extraordinary difference in their community. Through more than 15 creative and entrepreneurial projects completed throughout the school year, students collectively raised an incredible $21,676 to support women, babies, and families across the region. The students organized and led a wide variety of fundraising initiatives from October 2025 to May 2026, including: handmade craf

GODFREY – Godfrey trustees agreed to move forward with a study to possibly build a new shared use path. At their May 19, 2026 meeting , Village Board members unanimously approved up to $9,900 for Oates Associates to perform a concept plan study for a potential shared use path near the F.E. Widman Trail. As previously reported on Riverbender.com , the proposed path would branch off from the F.E. Widman Trail at Rocky Fork Road, then run south along Boy Scout Lane before turning west

ALTON - One of the longest-running Memorial Day parades in the country will once again take to the streets of Alton. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026. The route runs up College Avenue and through Upper Alton. Organizers Steve and Greg with the East End Improvement Association are eager to share the parade and its impressive 159-year history with the community. “The history is kind of amazing,” Greg said. “1868 is when it started,

MARINE - Madison County Coroner Nicholas P. Novacich on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, identified a 24-year-old Marine man who died after being struck by a vehicle early in the morning along Illinois State Route 4. The man was identified as Tyler C. Robinson, 24, of Marine. Robinson was found alongside the roadway on Illinois State Route 4, about 0.4 miles south of Illinois State Route 143, according to information released by the coroner’s office. Illinois State Police received a call at approximately

EDWARDSVILLE - Jude Jones, a senior pitcher and outfielder for the Jersey Community High School baseball team, has enjoyed a good season for the Panthers. He has emerged as an ace pitcher for the Panthers. Jersey has enjoyed one of its better seasons in some time and is currently 19-11 going into the final week of the regular season. Jude is a Sparklight Male Athlete Of The Month for the Panthers. In a game against Edwardsville May 15, 2026, at Tom Pile Field, Jones pitched well, going four

JERSEYVILLE - The Jerseyville Police Department has added a new officer to its ranks, announcing that Police Officer Ruf will soon begin academy training before starting field work. The department said in a statement that it would like to welcome Officer Ruf to the Jerseyville Police Department. Officer Ruf will attend SWIC Police Academy for 16 weeks, the department said. After completing the academy, he will begin a 12-week field training program, according to the statement.