Riverbender 🕸

Warmer weather means people flocking to lakes and rivers in droves to enjoy some fishing or time on the boat. But something as simple as the wrong type of footwear can lead to an injury that ruins your day and maybe even your life. In 2023, the United States Coast Guard reported 3,844 instances of something going wrong on a boat and 564 boating deaths. The numbers were down from 2022 and don’t capture what’s happening on every waterway in America. But they’re still worth

SPRINGFIELD – With prolonged heat and humidity forecast across Illinois this week, state officials are urging residents to take precautions to stay safe and to check on family, friends, and neighbors who may be vulnerable. According to the National Weather Service, heat indices in many areas of the state are expected to exceed 100°F for several consecutive days, with some locations projected to reach 105–110°F. “An extreme heat wave is bringing the hottest temperatures

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling in Trump v. Slaughter : “Today’s Supreme Court ruling further consolidated Donald Trump’s power by allowing him to throw out commissioners of independent federal agencies. These agencies are supposed to stop corporations from deceiving their customers, keep lead out of our kids’ toys, and enforce our labor laws. There is not a single worker or parent i

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul led fellow attorneys general in opposing two U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposals to weaken or rescind important regulations on coal ash, a toxic waste that is left over after burning coal at power plants. Coal ash, also referred to as coal combustion residuals, contains dangerous chemicals, including lead, arsenic and mercury, which can leach into groundwater near ash ponds or flow into nearby surface water when ash ponds overflow

BLOOMINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding the Supreme Court’s decision in Trump v. Cook, in which the Supreme Court ruled that Lisa Cook, a member of the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors, can remain in her position while her challenge to President Trump’s efforts to fire her moves forward: “President Trump’s politically motivated criminal

ALTON - Two Alton sisters, Koran Mason-El and Kamren Mason-El, are making history in their family as first-generation college graduates who are pursuing law degrees together at Saint Louis University School of Law. Koran, a rising third-year law student, and Kamren, who will enter the law school in fall 2026, are both graduates of Alton High School. The sisters said the moment is especially meaningful as they continue their education while representing their family and community. “Koran

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling in Watson v. RNC : “Donald Trump is using every weapon in his arsenal to attack our free and fair elections. The Supreme Court ruled against him today on an asinine attempt to throw out a law that ensures mail ballots get counted, but his assault is not over. We cannot look away while the most corrupt president in history attempts to rewrite our election laws to serve

BLOOMINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after today’s Supreme Court decision in Trump v. Slaughter that allows the President to fire members of independent agencies without cause: “The Supreme Court just overturned well-established precedent to greenlight Donald Trump’s threats to independent federal agencies. “Now, this President can fire whomever he

ALTON/EDWARDSVILLE/BELLEVILLE — Local and Illinois officials have urged residents in Madison County, St. Clair County and across the state to take precautions as heat indices are expected to top 100 degrees from June 28 through July 3, with many people likely to spend time outdoors ahead of July 4, 2026, celebrations. Heat indices across the region are predicted to top 100 degrees and soar to nearly 110 degrees in many area locations this week. The National Weather Service in St. Louis

RIVERBEND - As summer heats up this week with a heatwave coming in, there are places to stay cool and safe throughout the community. Heat can be dangerous, especially for older adults or younger children. Here are a few spots where you can go and enjoy the air conditioning as temperatures climb. ALTON Alton Square Mall Where: 200 Alton Square Hours: MTWRFS 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday 12–6 p.m. Hayner Public Library District - Alton Square Mall Where: 132 Alton Square

SPRINGFIELD - Gov. JB Pritzker signed House Bill 1700 into law Friday, June 26, 2026, creating a technical trailer bill for Illinois’ Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act after the measure passed the General Assembly on May 31, 2026, as lawmakers moved to clarify implementation of the state’s broader energy law. The law, known as HB1700, is tied to the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, or CRGA, a $13 billion omnibus energy law signed in January 2026

CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker and lieutenant governor candidate Christian Mitchell walked in the Chicago Pride Parade to celebrate Illinois’ LGBTQ+ community. They greeted attendees and joined in the festivities alongside Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community. “As we celebrate Pride Month, I am honored to stand with Illinois’ LGBTQ+ community, as we work together to ensure Illinois remains a state where everyone is welcomed and protected. I’m thrilled to be back at

SPRINGFIELD – With peak roadside mowing season underway, the Illinois Department of Transportation is reminding the public to slow down, proceed with caution and pay extra attention when encountering equipment and personnel. In keeping with the recent practice of timing operations to preserve and promote pollinator habitat, the heaviest mowing period will continue until Aug. 15, 2026. “You’ll see our mowing crews throughout the entire state so please remember to give them roo

ST. LOUIS — A 19-year-old father, Ca’Marion Pawnell, has been charged with second-degree murder and child endangerment after a 7-month-old girl was fatally shot Friday afternoon, June 26, 2026, inside a north St. Louis home, according to St. Louis Metropolitan Police. The infant, identified by St. Louis Police as Kiyomi Parker, was shot around 4 p.m. Friday inside a home in the 8400 block of North Broadway in the city’s Baden neighborhood. Police said Kiyomi later died at

PONTOON BEACH – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that intermittent daytime lane closures will take place at the Interstate 270/Illinois 111 interchange in Madison County beginning, weather permitting, at 7 a.m. Tuesday, June 30, 2026, for additional pavement marking installation. The work is expected to be completed by 3 p.m. Thursday, July 2. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce

VIRDEN, Ill. - North Mac High School will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 722 N. Springfield, inside Fellowship Hall. What: North Mac High School Community Blood Drive When: Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Where: Sacred Heart Catholic Church Fellowship Hall, 722 N. Springfield, Virden, Ill. Appointments:

JERSEYVILLE - Nashville recording artist and Jerseyville native Mattie Schell will bring some fun to her hometown on the Fourth of July. From 6–9 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, 2026, community members can enjoy a “Rock the Block” performance by Schell in downtown Jerseyville under the water tower. The Independence Day fun starts with an ice cream social at 4 p.m. at the Jersey County Courthouse and concludes with fireworks at the Jersey County fairgrounds at 9:30 p.m. Schell i

CHICAGO– Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 23 attorneys general, urged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to reverse a dangerous new policy ending investigations and public reporting of deaths that occur shortly after people are released from ICE custody. In a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Acting ICE Director David Venturella, Attorney General Raoul and the coalition condemn the new policy

SPRINGFIELD – Today, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Director James Jennings issued the following statement commending Governor JB Pritzker for signing House Bill 5070 into law: “Longstanding environmental protections have repeatedly come under attack by the Trump administration, necessitating action at the state level to ensure Illinois’ environmental regulations remain intact and Illinois residents are protected. I am especially grateful to Representative

SPRINGFIELD – Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed the child care licensing redesign legislation (HB 3595) into law. This bill streamlines the license exemption structure and application requirements to provide consistent licensing decisions and reduce delays. It also helps the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) reach another efficiency milestone by updating outdated industry terms in the Act and allowing IDEC to tie background checks to the individual instead of the provider.