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Attorney General Raoul Wins Lawsuit Protecting Gender Affirming Care; Court Issues Final Written Order

3 weeks 6 days ago
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul and a coalition of 22 states secured a federal court order blocking an unlawful attempt by the Trump administration to threaten health care providers who treat youth with gender dysphoria. A federal district court issued a written opinion and judgment, granting the plaintiff states’ summary judgment motion. “This is another sharp reminder to the Trump administration that Illinois and our partner states will not stop fighting

Governor Pritzker Awards 95 Loans to Licensed Social Equity Cannabis Businesses Across All License Types

3 weeks 6 days ago
CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced the recipients of $31.8 million in loans through Round III of the Cannabis Social Equity Loan Program. Through the program, 95 qualified, licensed social equity businesses across all license types – craft growers, dispensaries, infusers, and transporters – are receiving Direct Forgivable Loans (DFL) financed by the State of Illinois. Recipients were determined

Attorney General Raoul Recognizes National Crime Victims' Rights Week, Highlights Services For Victims

3 weeks 6 days ago
CHICAGO — Attorney General Kwame Raoul today recognized National Crime Victims’ Rights Week by highlighting the work of his office’s Violence Prevention and Crime Victim Services Division and the services available for victims . Since taking office, Raoul has strengthened the Violence Prevention and Crime Victim Services Division by expanding access to crime victim services and implementing a trauma-informed, more victim-centric approach to assisting survivors and families.

Attorney General Raoul Secures Critical Win As Court Orders Halt In Nextstar, Tegna Merger

3 weeks 6 days ago
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul applauded the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California after it granted a preliminary injunction halting the merger of Tegna Inc. (Tegna) and Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (Nexstar) while litigation in this case proceeds. Raoul and a coalition of eight attorneys general requested an emergency order when the companies recently received merger approval from the Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Land of Lincoln Honor Flight Prepares For Mission #77 Serving 95 Veterans

3 weeks 6 days ago
SPRINGFIELD – Land of Lincoln Honor Flight will be taking Mission #77 on May 5, 2026 from Springfield Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport. Mission #77 will serve 95 veterans - 5 Korean and 90 Vietnam era Era Veterans - from 54 Illinois home towns of Alton, Ashland, Athens, Bath, Benld, Bethalto, Bloomington, Carlinville, Cerro Gordo, Champaign, Chandlerville, Chatham, Chicago, Danville, Dawson, Decatur, Donnellson, Downs, Edwardsville, Effingham, Elgin, Elkhart, Glen Carbon, Granite City,

Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete Of The Month: Maberry Will Be Remembered As One Of The Best Three-Sport Athletes Ever At Roxana

3 weeks 6 days ago
ROXANA — Roxana senior Sean Maberry is being recognized for his spring performance with the Shells baseball team, adding to a multi-sport career that Athletic Director Mark Briggs said will be remembered among the program’s best. Maberry is a Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month for his work as an outfielder and hitter for Roxana baseball this spring. He also played forward for the Shells’ basketball team and running back and linebacker for the football team

Jerseyville Man Charged With Harassing Sheriff's Deputy After Prior Offenses Against Officers

3 weeks 6 days ago
JERSEYVILLE – A Jerseyville man accused of harassing a Jersey County Sheriff’s Deputy expected to testify as a witness faces his latest felony charge for alleged offenses against law enforcement officials. Lloyd A. Hawes, 75, of Jerseyville, was charged on April 14, 2026 with one count of harassment of a witness, a Class 2 felony. The day prior on April 13, Hawes allegedly yelled outside the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office after being told to leave in an attempt to harass o

Godfrey Business Spotlight: Hamilton Fabrication and Steel, Inc. is Family Business with Quality Focus

3 weeks 6 days ago
GODFREY - Perhaps when traveling Tolle Lane, you have noticed all the racks of steel and large buildings and wondered, what is that place? That place is the home of Hamilton Fabrication and Steel, Inc. Founded on the premise of an exceptional work ethic combined with a genuine desire to provide a valuable service, Hamilton Fab & Steel Supply is a leading steel company in Madison County. Being the third generation of professional steelworkers, the owners of Hamilton Fab & Steel Supply, John

Glen Carbon Elementary Students Learn Anti-Bullying Lessons

3 weeks 6 days ago
GLEN CARBON - Kindergarteners at Glen Carbon Elementary School learned more about how to identify and report bullying. On Monday, April 20, 2026, school counselor Emily Webb stopped in the kindergarten classrooms for a conversation about bullying prevention. The Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 is committed to providing each student with a great space to learn, and teaching students how to prevent and handle bullying is part of this mission. “A big part of bullying preventio

Update: Deceased Identified: Double-Shooting, Homicide Investigation Is Underway

3 weeks 6 days ago
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police are investigating a double shooting that left one man dead early Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in the 1100 block of Congress Avenue, after officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation, authorities said. The shooting happened at about 2:40 a.m. April 21, 2026, according to the St. Louis County Police Department. Officers from the department’s North County Precinct arrived and found two adult males suffering from apparent gunshot injuries, police

Why Humans Celebrate Rebirth After Loss, Change and Hard Seasons

3 weeks 6 days ago
A person can lose a job on Friday and be updating their résumé by Monday with a strange mix of dread and energy. That jump—from “it’s over” to “maybe this is a new start”—is one of the clearest signs that humans don’t just accept endings. We try to turn them into beginnings. That impulse is the heart of why humans celebrate rebirth. Rebirth can mean a literal return to life in religious stories, a symbolic reset like a new year, o

April 21 in History: From Rome's Legendary Founding to Prince's Death

3 weeks 6 days ago
On April 21, 753 BCE—according to Roman tradition—Rome was founded. The story centers on Romulus marking out a new city beside the Tiber River, a moment that later Romans treated as the start of their civilization. Whether the founding happened exactly as the legend says mattered less than what the date came to represent: a shared origin story that helped unify a growing community and justify its institutions. Over time, Rome expanded from a small settlement into a republic and then

Alton Advances Plans For Planters Along Broadway

3 weeks 6 days ago
ALTON – Plans to install planters along Broadway in Alton are moving forward as some call for the city to expand its beautification efforts to help businesses beyond downtown. After much discussion, committee members unanimously approved a resolution to consider an ordinance authorizing the purchase of Earth Planter containers for Broadway Street in downtown Alton using Food and Beverage Tax funds. According to the proposed ordinance, these planters are meant to promote beautification

Pop-Up Clothing Swap to Be Held in Alton This Weekend

4 weeks ago
ALTON - Community members are invited to the Pop-Up Clothing Swap to trade out clothes and keep textiles out of the landfills. From 12–4 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, 2026, Alton Main Street will host their annual Pop-Up Clothing Swap in the ballroom at Mineral Springs Mall. You can bring old clothing to trade and pay $5, or come empty-handed and pay $10, and take as much as you want. AMS Executive Director Sara McGibany looks forward to welcoming the community for another great swap. “T

Collinsville Police Officer Gallion's Quick Action Leads to Arrest of Shooting Suspects

4 weeks ago
COLLINSVILLE - The Collinsville Police Department has named Officer Trenton “TJ” Gallion its March 2026 Officer of the Month after he located and helped lead to the arrest of two suspects wanted in connection with a shooting in East St. Louis, the department has announced. “Please join us as we recognize Officer Trenton ‘TJ’ Gallion as the March 2026 Officer of the Month,” the department said. According to Collinsville Police, Gallion joined

Difference Makers: Alton Youth Group Revitalizes Police Department Landscaping

4 weeks ago
ALTON - Over the weekend of April 18, 2026, members of the Calvary Baptist Church youth group and their youth leaders in Alton volunteered at the Alton Police Department. The youth group and leaders worked to freshen up the landscaping around the department, according to a statement from the police department. The youth group and youth leaders are Difference Makers in their community. The volunteers helped with tasks including “pulling weeds” and “sprucing up

Jersey County Board Rejects Bid For Sheriff's Office Evidence Shed

4 weeks ago
JERSEYVILLE – Jersey County Board members voted overwhelmingly last week to reject a bid of over $350,000 to build an evidence storage shed for the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office. A bid totaling $364,000 from Jun Construction to build the evidence shed was rejected by a vote of 9 -2. The scope of the project called for a 42 by 80 by 18 foot evidence storage building to be constructed at 207. W. Exchange St., near the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office. Board Member Ken

Pritzker Says Court Conclusion in Illinois v. Trump Confirms National Guard Deployment Was Illegal

4 weeks ago
CHICAGO — Today, Governor Pritzker released the following statement after the U.S. District Court concluded Illinois v. Trump , the case concerning the Trump Administration’s illegal attempt to deploy National Guard troops to Illinois: “Today’s order concluding Illinois v. Trump confirms what has been clear to the people of Illinois from the beginning — Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to occupy our streets was a reckless and illegal

Godfrey to Host Youth Fishing Derby and Arbor Day Celebration at Glazebrook Park

4 weeks ago
GODFREY - The Village of Godfrey will host two of their biggest events this weekend. On Saturday, April 25, 2026, community members can stop by Glazebrook Park for the Annual Youth Fishing Derby and Arbor Day Celebration. Both events speak to the Parks and Recreation Department’s efforts to make Godfrey a great place to live. “There’s a lot of communities that do a great job, but not every community is able to offer all these things,” said Parks and Recreation

Tucker's Automotive Repair & Tire Female Athlete Of The Month: Marquette Catholic Senior Excels In Shot Put

4 weeks ago
ALTON - Jami Jones, a senior at Marquette Catholic High School, is being recognized for her accomplishments in track and field in the shot put after earning two conference titles and a county title, along with ranking second in the school record and being among the top throwers in the River Bend area. Jones said she has competed in the sport for three years and has come to value the competitive nature of an individual event. “This is my third year in track and field. I like the competition