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CHICAGO - Building on a strong team of diverse experts in their fields, Governor JB Pritzker announced the following appointments in his administration. Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Advisory Committee Anusha Thotakura will serve as a Member of the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Advisory Committee.* Thotakura currently serves as the Director of Illinois Citizen Action, where she successfully led efforts to ban price gouging for generic and off-patent prescription medication. Previously, she served as Special Projects Manager for the Progressive Turnout Project and was a Graduate Civics Fellow with the Blue Haven Initiative. Thotakura earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University. Stephanie Altman will serve as a Member of the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Advisory Committee.* Altman is the Director of Healthcare Justice and Senior Director of Policy at the Shriver Center on Poverty

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ALTON - An Alton man accused of failing to register as a sex offender faces multiple other charges in two Madison County criminal cases. Patrick J. Wooldridge, 45, listed as homeless out of Alton, was charged in one case on Dec. 13, 2024 with violating the Sex Offender Registration Act (a Class 2 felony) and unlawful possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine (a Class 3 felony). In that case, Wolldridge reportedly failed to register as a sex offender with local authorities on a weekly basis as required for homeless individuals under state law. The charging documents note he had previously been convicted of the same offense in Madison County court in 2021. In another case filed on the same day, Wooldridge was charged with one count each of theft and unlawful use of a credit or debit card, both Class 4 felonies. On Nov. 23, 2024, he reportedly stole an individual’s purse wallet and house keys and knowingly used their stolen debit card to obtain merchandise.

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GRANITE CITY - Granite City High School sophomore Landon Harris was recognized by the Board of Education on Dec. 10, 2024, for his impressive achievement in cross country, qualifying for the 2024 IHSA Class 3A Cross Country Championship. Harris secured a time of 15:05.20, making him the 12th-fastest sophomore and earning him a 78th-place finish in the competition. Landon is a Stillwater Senior Living Male Athlete of the Month for the Warriors. This marks the second consecutive year that Harris has qualified for the state cross country meet, demonstrating his consistent performance in the sport. In addition to his cross country success, Harris has also excelled in track and field, having run under 2 minutes in the 800 meters and posting a time of 4:21.97 in the 1600 meters last spring. During the Board meeting, Harris was joined by Granite City High Principal Tim McChristian, GCHS Cross Country Coach Aaron Werths, and GCSD9 Board Vice President Eric Stacy, who all acknowledged

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WOOD RIVER - Sierra Holbrook-Blair, a senior at East Alton-Wood River High School, is being recognized for her contributions to the cheerleading team. Holbrook-Blair, who has transitioned from soccer to cheerleading, credits her success to a supportive environment and a positive mindset. Sierra is a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month. Holbrook-Blair began her cheerleading journey this year, having previously played soccer, where she served as a captain during her junior year. "I came into this new sport with unease but gained a positive attitude that I could do anything if I just put my mind to it," she said. The welcoming nature of her teammates and coaches, particularly head coach Alison Beachum, helped her adjust to the new atmosphere. In addition to her athletic commitments, Holbrook-Blair is actively involved in various extracurricular activities, including the National Honor Society, Big Sisters, Renaissance, Student Council, Spirit Club, and Senior Mentor.

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BETHALTO - Adam Ogden, a standout player for the Civic Memorial boys basketball team, recently achieved a significant milestone by scoring his 1,000th career point. The accomplishment took place during the Roxana Tournament. Ogden's achievement was celebrated during a recent Eagles home game, where he was presented with a commemorative basketball. Ogden is a Tom Lane Male Athlete of the Month for the Eagles. Coach Lee Green praised Ogden's dedication to the sport, stating, "No one else better deserves it. He puts so much time in on his own, playing with his select AAU travel team, always in the gym shooting, and always with CM. He does so much on his own." Ogden's commitment to basketball extends beyond high school; he has expressed interest in pursuing a collegiate education while continuing to play the sport. According to Coach Green, Ogden is a "very intelligent kid" with a strong SAT score, and he is considering several universities for his future. In addition to basketball,

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and author of the All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP) Act —celebrated the United States Senate voting by voice vote to confirm David Capozzi to serve on Amtrak’s Board of Directors as the Boards’ designated disability advocate—a seat created by a provision Duckworth authored and successfully included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. On Amtrak’s Board, Capozzi will help ensure senior Amtrak leadership hears the voices of individuals with disabilities who have demonstrated histories or experience with accessibility, mobility and inclusive transportation in passenger rail or commuter rail. “I worked hard to create this position on Amtrak’s Board of Directors because it is important that the disability community is represented at the table, and I’m proud that the Senate confirmed David

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul led a coalition of 22 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief supporting the federal government’s actions to increase the minimum wage for employees of certain federal contractors. In April 2021, President Biden issued an executive order increasing the minimum wage for these workers to $15 and directing the U.S. Department of Labor to implement subsequent annual raises to reflect changes in the cost of living. Raoul and the coalition submitted the amicus brief in Nebraska v. Su, a case challenging the increase in minimum wage for federal contract workers. “Employees of federal contractors have a right to fair wages that allow them to provide for themselves and their families,” Raoul said. “We all benefit when workers in our states earn decent living wages, and I will continue to advocate for the rights of all workers to receive fair compensation for the work they do – particularly when they are working on behalf

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) has created a new Informal Resolution and Mediation Unit, which will help workers and employers resolve straightforward claims before they reach an administrative hearing or litigation. By bringing parties together to resolve their disputes, informal resolution and mediation processes can resolve claims more quickly and efficiently, saving time, resources, and money for everyone involved. “The Informal Resolution and Mediation Unit is not only beneficial for workers and employers, it also allows IDOL to prioritize enforcement resources on complex, strategic, or high-impact investigations,” said Illinois Department of Labor Director Jane Flanagan. The Unit currently has two primary functions: A pilot project for proactive resolution of single employee, low-dollar wage claims; and Administration of the new Illinois Freelance Worker Protection Act. As the Unit grows and evaluates outcomes from the pilot project,

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Todd Young (R-IN), Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) applauded Senate passage of their bipartisan legislation to provide Veterans with service-connected disabilities with expedited screening under the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) PreCheck program. While TSA PreCheck is already offered to active duty, Reserves and National Guard servicemembers at no cost, the Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act would expand this program to include Veterans who are amputees, paralyzed or blind who often experience challenges when passing through airport security. The bill passed the House of Representatives by unanimous consent earlier this month and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. “Millions of Veterans have sacrificed a great deal in service to our nation and returned home with service-connected disabilities—for those of us who rely on prosthetic

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is monitoring a large event of waterfowl mortality at numerous locations throughout Illinois. Test results received so far indicate highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is the cause. The public is reminded to not handle or attempt to capture waterfowl or other wild birds displaying signs of illness. IDNR will continue to monitor for HPAI mortality events throughout the state during the seasonal bird migration. Members of the public are encouraged to report concentrations of five or more deceased birds found at one location to IDNR district wildlife biologists by going online. Due to risk of infection to other animals, dogs and other pets should be kept away from the carcasses of birds that may have died from HPAI. If carcasses need to be disposed of, IDNR recommends following guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). IDNR is unable to assist with carcass removal from non-IDNR properties i

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ALTON — Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford confirmed Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, that law enforcement officers gathered in significant numbers on Brown Street to execute an arrest warrant for an individual connected to a recent shooting. The operation was completed Monday morning. Chief Ford stated, "An individual was wanted for a recent shooting." He confirmed that the individual sought in the case is now in custody . Further details regarding the incident will be disclosed pending the filing of charges.

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EAST ST. LOUIS - Illinois State Police reported on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, that a 21-year-old woman was shot and killed in the 400 block of North Sixth Street on Sunday evening, Dec. 22, 2024. The gunshot victim was identified as Markela Howliet. Illinois State Police and East St. Louis Police both responded to the crime scene at 7:27 p.m., where the woman was pronounced dead. There have been no other details released about the shooting. ISP and East St. Louis Police continue to investigate the fatal shooting.

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MARYVILLE - A Madison County grand jury has indicted a Maryville resident on multiple child pornography charges after he requested and shared the disturbing material in online conversations. Thomas J. Angelo, 60, of Maryville, was charged with two counts of child pornography, one a Class X felony and the other a Class 2 felony. Angelo allegedly disseminated child pornography via the Kik application on July 5, 2024. Court documents describe the video file as depicting a female who was “clearly under the age of 13.” The Maryville Police Department received a cybertip through the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program, according to a petition to deny Angelo’s pretrial release. Angelo reportedly engaged in online conversations with multiple individuals discussing, requesting, and sharing child pornography. “Following execution of search warrants to Kik, Verizon, and to the defendant's residence, evidence was discovered that he was engaging

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CARLINVILLE – The Carlinville Community will come together to host a Community Blood Drive on Wednesday, January 8, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, located at 201 West Main Street. This event is sponsored by the Carlinville Area Hospital Auxiliary in partnership with ImpactLife, a nonprofit organization that provides blood components to local hospitals. The blood drive aims to address the ongoing need for blood donations, which are critical for medical procedures and emergency care. Appointments for potential donors are encouraged and can be made by contacting ImpactLife Springfield at (800) 747-5401 or by visiting their website at www.bloodcenter.org and using the code 60045 to locate the drive. To be eligible to donate, individuals must be at least 17 years old (or 16 with parental permission) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo ID is required for donation, and those who last donated blood on or before November 13, 2024, are eligible to participate in thi

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GRANITE CITY - Earning a spot on Drury University's Dean's List is a significant accomplishment. The recognition means a student earned a grade point average of 3.6 or greater (on a 4-point scale) while carrying a full-time course load of 12 or more semester hours at Drury, a top Midwestern university, according to US News & World Report. In the fall semester, the following student made the evening school Dean's list: Alexandria Armenta, Granite City Senior HS Drury GO is a cutting-edge online learning platform developed by Drury University, designed to empower individuals with accessible and flexible educational opportunities. With a commitment to providing quality education in a digital format, Drury GO offers a diverse range of courses crafted by industry experts. This innovative platform caters to the evolving needs of learners, allowing them to pursue academic and professional goals on their own terms. Learn more: www.drury.edu/go .

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that the state’s overall respiratory illness level has moved up from Low to Moderate, meaning that Illinoisans face an increased chance of exposure to seasonal illnesses as families are gathering to celebrate the holidays. IDPH’s Seasonal Respiratory Illness Dashboard indicates that hospital admissions for COVID-19, flu and RSV all ticked up (as a percent of all hospital admissions) in the week ending Dec. 14, 2024. The percentage of emergency department visits due to respiratory illness also increased from 13.8% in the previous week to 14.7%. The state is also continuing to see a rise in ICU admissions due to RSV, driven by children 0-4 years old. “As expected, Illinois is experiencing an increase in seasonal respiratory illnesses as winter arrives,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “As we gather with our loved ones during the holiday season, please use all the tools

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ST. LOUIS, MO. – The United Way of Greater St. Louis (UWGSL) Charmaine Chapman Society’s (CCS) Divine 9 members raised over $320,000 through its Divine 9 Challenge, an initiative of UWGSL’s black philanthropy efforts. The challenge among CCS members from Black Fraternities and Sororities in the St. Louis Region provides a friendly fundraising competition. Each CCS member gives an annual donation of $1,000 or more to UWGSL that helps over 160 local nonprofits that United Way funds. “As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of CCS, we are so happy that our local Sororities and Fraternities came together through this fun and exciting Divine 9 Challenge that epitomizes what CCS has always been about – uplifting the community through collective giving,” said Michelle Tucker, President and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis. “This annual friendly competition is a testament of how passionate our CCS members are about giving, and that passion lead

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SPRINGFIELD – This holiday season, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police, and more than 200 police and sheriff’s departments are joining forces for the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, reminding the public that law enforcement will focus not only on impaired drivers, but also seat belt violations, speeding, distracted driving and other traffic offenses. “The holidays should be a time for celebration and creating memories — not for grief and loss caused by preventable crashes,” said Stephane B. Seck-Birhame, IDOT’s bureau chief of Safety Programs and Engineering. “Whether you're using alcohol, cannabis or any other impairing substance, the message is the same: If you drive impaired, you risk lives, including your own.” As holiday festivities fill calendars, it’s critical to plan for a sober ride home before celebrations begin. Law enforcement statewide reminds

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St . Louis County Police Department Bureau of Crimes Against Persons and Accident Reconstruction detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash at North Hanley Road and St. Charles Rock Road that resulted in the death of an adult male. The deceased has been identified as Jordan Faulkner, 31 years of age, of the 7500 block of Mallard Drive in St. Louis, Missouri 63133. At 4:03 a.m., St. Louis County police officers from the Central County Precinct responded to a call for service for a vehicle crash at N. Hanley Road and St. Charles Rock Road. Officers located a male inside a vehicle that was on fire. Preliminary investigation revealed the vehicle was traveling in an unknown direction when it struck a pole and overturned. The vehicle then caught on fire. An adult female was able to exit the vehicle and was transported to an area hospital with non life threatening injuries. The adult male was extricated and transported to an area hospital for lifesaving

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ST. LOUIS – The City of St. Louis announced on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, that Jennifer Clemons-Abdullah is no longer serving as the Corrections Commissioner. The decision to separate her employment was effective immediately. “Today, Jennifer Clemons-Abdullah’s employment with the City of St. Louis was separated effective immediately,” said Conner Kerrigan, a spokesperson for the city. “Tammy Ross is currently acting as the Commissioner of Corrections.” Clemons-Abdullah had been on leave from her position since Sept. 19, 2024. She was appointed to the role by St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones approximately three years ago. The city did not provide any further details regarding the circumstances of her separation from the Corrections Commission.

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