JERSEYVILLE - The Jersey County Fair once again promises to be a fun community experience for all. With events starting on July 11 and running through July 19, 2026, community members are invited to enjoy everything the annual fair has to offer, from carnival rides and 4-H livestock judging competitions to a demolition derby and beauty pageant. Tiffany Phillips, one of the fair’s organizers, noted that the fairgrounds are a great place to engage with the community and bring people
SPRINGFIELD – Over 20 new laws are set to take effect in Illinois starting July 1, 2026, bringing changes to senior driving tests, pandemic-era business practices, and more. License Renewal Driving Tests Not Needed For Some Seniors HB1226 no longer requires Illinois drivers ages 79-86 to take a driving test in order to renew their license. Drivers in this age group will still need to renew their licenses in person at a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) facility and pass a vision screening
EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine is urging retailers and families in Illinois to take note of a new state law that immediately bans the sale of intoxicating hemp products to people younger than 21. The law, Senate Bill 3222, was recently signed in Illinois and applies to products such as Delta-8, THC-P, HHC and similar substances that had previously been sold outside the state’s regulated adult-use cannabis market. Haine’s office said the measure is
SHILOH - Officials broke ground Monday, June 29, 2026, on a new Shiloh Police Department headquarters in Shiloh, Illinois, a $10.5 million project that local and state leaders said is intended to expand space for officers and improve public safety services in the community. The ceremonial groundbreaking was held at 10 a.m. Monday. The new building, at 105 High St. in Shiloh, is estimated to be ready in about a year and will replace the department’s current station, which official
GODFREY - Community Christmas organizers are seeking help selling raffle tickets and promoting upcoming dine-to-donate events ahead of the annual Christmas in July fundraiser, scheduled for Friday, July 24, 2026, at Freer Auto Body in Godfrey. Margaret Freer, one of the Freer Auto Body owners, said the campaign still has “several unsold raffle tickets” with more than three weeks remaining before the event. Freer asked for volunteers to pick up ticket packs and help sell them, while
CHICAGO– Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed an amicus brief defending the validity of the Firearm Industry Responsibility Act (FIRA) against claims that it is preempted by a federal statute, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). Raoul’s brief was filed in an interlocutory appeal arising out of numerous cases brought against Smith & Wesson Brand Inc. (Smith & Wesson) by victims of the fatal 2022 shooting at the Highland Park, Illinois Independence Day parade. The
SPRINGFIELD — The world’s fastest dirt track draws more than racing fans to the Illinois State Fairgrounds each summer. Tucked in the south end of the infield is the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) Community Garden, which was celebrated today with a proclamation from Governor JB Pritzker. Community Garden Day in Springfield drew a crowd of gardeners, local and state officials, community partners and others to the carefully tended plots. The Illinois Department of Agriculture
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is sharing the following upcoming events and noteworthy items for July 2026. State historic sites throughout Illinois have planned events to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. In addition, July is National Recreation and Parks Month. July 2 Tot Time: Fish Frenzy Illinois State Museum at Dickson Mounds Lewistown | Fulton County Staff from the Illinois River Biological
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting applications for Open Space Land Acquisition and Development, or OSLAD, grants through Aug. 31, 2026. A total of $37.5 million is available for this round of OSLAD grants . IDNR will again provide funding to cover 100% of eligible projects in economically distressed communities. In the most recent round of OSLAD awards announced in January , 20 underserved locations received grants for local park projects.
CHICAGO — The Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion (CEI) is proud to announce the launch of its new Mentor Protégé Program (MPP), a new initiative designed to empower vendors certified in the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) through structured coaching, mentorship, and growth opportunities. By pairing experienced prime vendors with emerging BEP firms, the program aims to build capacity, strengthen relationships, and create meaningful pathways into State contracting.
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, Ill. – The Cahokia Courthouse State Historic Site in St. Clair County will host “The Language of Liberty,” a public reading of the Declaration of Independence at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Community members will read portions of the Declaration aloud, while local historians provide insight into the document’s origins, meaning and lasting influence on American history. The program commemorates the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence
ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Metropolitan Police homicide detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old man who was found with multiple gunshot wounds Tuesday night, June 30, 2026, inside a business in the Dutchtown neighborhood of St. Louis. Police said officers were called at about 9:10 p.m. June 30 to a shooting in the 4700 block of South Spring at the Speedway Market in Dutchtown. When officers arrived, they found the man inside the business suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Stop Gun Violence, a gun-owner and sportsmen-led organization dedicated to promoting responsible gun ownership and preventing gun violence, endorsed Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) for her commitment to advancing meaningful and achievable reforms to prevent gun violence and strengthen public safety. Founded by a veteran of the gun safety movement, SGV is working to elect leaders who understand that protecting communities and respecting responsible gun ownership are not
FERGUSON, MO. - A woman who was at a Ferguson, Mo., gas station with two of her children was struck and killed by crossfire late Tuesday night, June 30, 2026, after an argument inside the store escalated into gunfire outside, the Ferguson Police Department said Wednesday, July 1, 2026. A man also was wounded, and the children were not physically harmed. The woman was not involved in the argument, police said. The shooting happened shortly before midnight at a BP gas station on South Florissant
O’FALLON, Ill. – State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) is hosting Mobile Office Hours on July 7, 2026 in O’Fallon. This free event gives his constituents the opportunity to discuss the state legislature and to talk about issues important to them. “I look forward to meeting with constituents and hearing about what matters most to them,” said Schmidt. “These conversations help me better represent our communities at the Capitol and advocate for our
MADISON COUNTY - Madison County Transit (MCT) will implement its July Service Change beginning Sunday, July 12, 2026. The changes include: the launch of a new MCT Micro service area in Troy, Maryville, and Glen Carbon area, which will replace the #13 Troy-Glen Carbon fixed route; as well as adjustments to the #9 Washington Shuttle, #1X Riverbend Express and #16X Edwardsville-Glen Carbon Express. Before the changes were approved, MCT held six public meetings and accepted comments from passengers
On July 1, one of the most significant events in modern history took place in 1867, when the Dominion of Canada was created through Confederation. On that day, the British North America Act joined Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada into a new self-governing dominion within the British Empire. At the time, the move mattered because it brought together separate colonies that wanted more political stability, stronger defense, and better economic coordination. It still matters
NASHVILLE, IL. – Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a Nashville, Illinois man with criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Raoul’s office charged Chad Malawy, 54, in Washington County Circuit Court with one count of Class 1 felony criminal sexual assault, punishable by up to 15 years in prison, and one count of Class 1 felony aggravated criminal sexual abuse, punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Malawy was also charged with two Class A misdemeanor
ELSAH - Green Tree Inn in Elsah is a one-of-a-kind bed-and-breakfast experience. Located at 15 Mill Street in downtown Elsah, Green Tree Inn is a great spot for locals to enjoy a weekend getaway or visitors to engage with the village along the Mississippi River. Owner Megan Cunningham shared that she didn’t always expect to run a bed-and-breakfast, but she loves the experience and she’s grateful for groups like the RiverBend Growth Association for their support. “Running
GRANITE CITY – A Granite City resident charged with fatally shooting a teen victim after admittedly “playing with a gun” remains in custody while facing trial in Madison County. 18-year-old Syah T. Lee of Granite City faces a Class 3 felony count of involuntary manslaughter and two Class 4 felony counts of reckless discharge of a firearm. Lee was initially charged on June 23, 2026 with a Class 4 felony count of reckless conduct before the charge was amended on June 26 to the
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