SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt backed a property tax relief package that increases property tax exemption thresholds for senior citizens in Illinois. “When this piece of legislation came across my desk, it was a no-brainer,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Many seniors in the Metro East have lived in their homes for decades - let’s ensure they are not priced out of the homes they have invested their lives into.” Senate Bill 642 would deliver critical
WASHINGTON, D.C . – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) in introducing legislation that would place limits on the Trump Administration’s ability to deploy the National Guard into American communities, while also injecting $1 billion in new resources to fight crime in American communities. The No Troops in Our Streets Act gives Congress the ability to
CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) joined the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 2 Chicago Stagehands to celebrate the opening of their new training center, which was supported by a $5 million grant from the State of Illinois. “Illinois is a prime cultural hub and major tourist destination – thanks in no small part to our skilled entertainment workforce,” said Governor
ALTON – Simmons Hanly Conroy, one of the nation’s leading mass-torts and complex litigation firms, is proud to announce that 13 firm attorneys have been recognized in the 2026 edition of the Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists for Illinois. These designations reflect the firm’s ongoing commitment to legal excellence and leadership in the representation of mesothelioma patients and their families and complex litigation on a national scale. The following attorneys have been selecte
EDWARDSVILLE - Roughly 3,000 households can receive free food next week. From 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. or until supplies run out on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, the St. Louis Area Foodbank will distribute groceries to community members at Ralph Korte Stadium on the SIUE campus in Edwardsville. There are no requirements and no questions will be asked. “We want everyone to be able to take advantage of this opportunity,” said Ericka Kinkead with the foodbank. “We’re doing
GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College’s Criminal Justice program welcomed Madison County Assistant State’s Attorney Luke Yager and Victim Advocate Maddison Erwin to the Godfrey Campus, Wednesday, Nov. 12. The pair gave presentations to students in both the Criminal Law and Mental Health and Criminal Justice classes. Among the topics discussed were the insanity defense, resources for the unhoused and mental health issues. For more information on LC’s Crimina
EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's School of Education, Health and Human Behavior will welcome approximately 400 high school students for the fourth annual Future Teacher Conference, a growing regional event designed for students exploring careers in education. Attendance has grown significantly since last year’s conference, which drew 300 participants. The conference introduces future educators to the profession through workshops, presentations, and faculty engagement,
SPRINGFIELD, IL – Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) led every Democratic Member of the Illinois delegation in a letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz expressing support for Illinois’ application for the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) program. The Members of Congress emphasized that the RHT Program is an important opportunity to improve the health of Illinois rural communities and address critical challenges like access to
GRANITE CITY — Granite City Police Department responded to an armed robbery at a Family Dollar store on Nameoki Road. At approximately 7:56 p.m. Friday, the Granite City Police Department confirmed it received a report that a suspect, armed with a handgun, confronted a store employee at Family Dollar located at 2600 Nameoki Road. According to scanner traffic, the suspect displayed the weapon to the worker before fleeing the scene in an unknown direction. The Granite City Police Department
ALTON - Alton Elite Jiu-Jitsu is officially open in Alton, and owner Adam Marburger couldn’t be more excited. “It's a blessing,” he said. “There's been so much work by so many different people. It's taken several months, a couple setbacks, but we came together as a team. It's just nice to be done. I'm very grateful.” On Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, community members gathered at 2716 Corner Court in Alton for a grand opening celebration complete with food, drinks,
Letter To Editor, As a prominent 90-year-old in the community of Alton, you’re probably wondering what I have to say about late-night liquor licenses. Well, I’m glad you asked! As a very active voting resident, I’ve supported many mayors and elected officials in our community. As a retired small business owner and caterer, my heart is deeply connected to the success of small businesses, and I am honored to be perceived as a living legacy here in Alton. However, in reference
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — On Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) convened local immigration nonprofit and advocacy organizations to discuss the recent spike in immigration enforcement activity in Central and Southern Illinois. Groups from across Illinois’ 13th District, from Springfield and Decatur to the Metro East, were present to discuss fears and the chilling effects facing immigrant communities
JERSEY - The JCHS boys' bowling teams and JCMS basketball squads both recorded notable performances on Wednesday and Thursday night in separate contests. At Bowl Haven in Alton, the Jersey Community High School boys varsity and junior varsity bowling teams faced off against the Southwestern Birds, securing decisive victories. The varsity Panthers posted a commanding 2,743 to 1,873 win. Hayden Longley led the team with a high game of 258, followed by Clark Blasa’s 236 and Jacob Hetzel’s
SPRINGFIELD – Starved Rock State Park, including the Starved Rock Lodge and other park amenities, will remain open to visitors during an $18 million trail improvement project that is expected to get underway this winter and continue through 2026. The work will allow the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to reopen several closed trails and expand the hiking and recreational opportunities at Starved Rock, which is Illinois’ most visited state park, attracting more tha
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office issued charges against suspect Christopher Crawford, 27, of the 7400 block of Vermont Avenue in St. Louis, MO. 63111, for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Possession of Weapon, Explosive or Hazardous Material on Bus or in Terminal, and Resisting/Interfering with Arrest for a Felony. Crawford is being held on a $500,000 cash-only, no 10% bond. The probable cause statement reads: "On November
Distinguished English poet Alfred Noyes performed a number of his poems at Monticello Seminary on Saturday, November 14, 1925. A pouring rain did not deter a large audience, and many people drove in from Alton to attend. Monticello Seminary principal Harriet Rice Congdon introduced Noyes, who opened with “The Gray Squirrel,” and also read “The Barrel Organ,” “The Wagon,” The Highwayman,” and other selections of his poetry. Alfred Noyes hated free
ALTON - Community members who smoke are encouraged to stop by the OSF Moeller Cancer Center for a low-dose CT lung cancer screening. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, community members are invited to OSF Moeller Cancer Center in Alton for lung cancer screenings, door prizes, refreshments and more. You must be between ages 50–80 and a current smoker, or you have quit smoking within the last 15 years, to qualify for the screening, which is covered by most insurances.
GLEN CARBON – The third and final phase of the Glen Carbon Road Shared Use Path project is set to be designed next year. Village trustees this week unanimously approved an agreement totaling $118,620 with Volkert Inc. to perform design engineering services for Phase 3 of the Glen Carbon Road Shared Use Path project. This latest section of the path is set to be designed in 2026, with construction expected to follow in 2027. At this week’s Village Board meeting, Public Works
ALTON/GODFREY — For more than three decades, Community Christmas has been a cornerstone holiday initiative, a local effort aimed at supporting families in need during the holiday season. This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the program, as well as the 18th year of the Freer Auto Body Cookies and Cocoa event and the Christmas in July raffle. Margaret Freer, one of the owners of Freer Auto Body, and an organizer of both events, has dedicated countless hours to organizing and contributing
TROY - Local food pantry Ministries Unlimited hopes to build a new building soon, but in the meantime, they’re serving the Troy community with heart and compassion. Ministries Unlimited started in 1978 as a homebound Bible ministry. They quickly realized the families they were serving needed additional help during the holidays, so they created Christmas baskets to share with these community members. As the need grew, the organization became a full-fledged food pantry located in Tro
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