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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul co-led a coalition of 19 attorneys general today in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in Miot, et al. v. Trump, et al. , opposing the Trump administration’s effort to overturn a lower court’s decision to postpone the termination of Haiti’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation while litigation on the termination continues. “As the proud son of Haitian immigrants, this issue is personal. TPS protects th

ALTON - Rondilynn “Roni” Smith has been named Assistant Principal of North Elementary School, effective July 1. Ms. Smith brings more than 12 years of experience in elementary education, including her time as a classroom teacher and her current role as a behavior specialist in O’Fallon District 90, where she has worked closely with teachers and administrators to support the implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. “This opportunity is incredibl

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), a member of the House Agriculture Committee and U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced the Grocery, Farm, and Food Worker Stabilization Grant Program Act, legislation that would create a new, permanent grant program to provide stabilization payments to farm, grocery, and meatpacking workers in the case of a major disaster. “During disasters, workers at grocery stores, farms, and meatpacking plants are

ALTON - The Alton School District has announced a new plan for student transportation beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, the ACUSD Board of Education unanimously approved a five year agreement with Robinson Transport Incorporated, marking a transition from the district’s current transportation provider, Illinois Central. The decision followed a competitive bidding process, in which Robinson Transport Inc. stood out for its strong pricing package

HARDIN – Following are the 2025-2026 3rd quarter honor roll lists for Calhoun High School: Senior High Honors: Reagan Clendenny, Anabel Eilerman, Sadie Kiel, Jack Zipprich Senior Honors: Addison Becker, Marissa Fraley, Jack Goode, Stella Gress, Tyler Grimes, Layla Johnson, Rodney Johnson, Hannah Klaas, Mia Krysl, Blake Nolte, Tamara Osterman, Carly Pohlman, Emma Rose, Mary Squier, Max Toppmeyer, Brody White Junior High Honors: Noah Bailey, Henry Barczewski, Ian Gilman, Gabriella

EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine released his office’s annual report detailing prosecution trends and internal initiatives from calendar year 2025, presenting it on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, to the county board in Edwardsville. The report, covering the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office, outlines work across multiple divisions and is intended to show “the breadth and magnitude of the office’s work,” including areas that

GODFREY – Godfrey officials have chosen an architectural firm to propose plans for a recreation center. At the March 18, 2026 Village Board meeting, trustees unanimously agreed to start negotiations and request a proposal from AAIC Inc., the architectural firm chosen to lead the Godfrey Recreation Center project. The vote came after trustees heard a presentation from Beth Heinz, co-chairperson of the Godfrey Recreation Center Committee, about the village’s “strong need t

EDWARDSVILLE – A section of St. Louis Street in Edwardsville is set to become a pedestrian plaza and outdoor recreation space. City Council members voted 5-1 to pass a $3.95 million contract with S.M. Wilson for the construction of Goshen Commons on March 16, 2026. Alderman William Krause cast the sole vote against the contract, citing concerns about the high cost. The construction of Goshen Commons is set to transform one block of St. Louis Street from North Main Street to North 2nd

CHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is alerting taxpayers that changes announced by the United States Postal Service (USPS) regarding postmarks could impact tax filings in 2026. While the USPS postmark will still show the date of the first automated processing operation, the postmark may no longer reflect the date when the piece of mail was dropped off at a local post office. This change can directly impact time-sensitive documents such as tax returns and payments. IDOR encourages

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Budzinski (IL-13) at a House Oversight Committee hearing called on Postmaster General David Steiner to address flailing USPS delivery rates that have impacted rural communities in her district. Budzinski questioned why the Postmaster has continued to implement the so-called “Delivering for America” plan when the initiative has been proven to worsen on-time mail delivery rates and slow outgoing mail in rural areas. “Communities

EAST ALTON - Community members can support local first responders at the upcoming Guns and Hoses hockey game. On Saturday, March 21, 2026, local police officers and firefighters will compete in a hockey game at East Alton Ice Arena. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. and the game kicks off at 4 p.m. Admission costs $10 and is free for kids 5 and under. Proceeds will go to the Madison County Fallen Officers Memorial Fund. “We all like to get together and play hockey. So if we like to get together

ALTON - Alton Police Department K9 Rico has received a bullet- and stab-protective vest through a charitable donation from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., the department announced on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. “The support we've received from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is truly outstanding, and we cannot thank them enough,” Alton Police Department Chief Jarrett Ford said. “Our K9 officers face the same dangers as our human officers, and this vest ensures that K9 Rico has the

GODFREY - Attention all pet parents! The new and improved Peachy Paws is now up and operating in its new and expanded location! With the company's new facility, services available include grooming, day care and training for those four-legged companions. Peachy Paws is the dream and creation of owner/operator, Amber (Dyer) Pogue. Amber is a life-long lover of animals and caring for them is her passion. She was riding horses by the age of five. She was even a member of Colby Community College

GODFREY – More fun is coming to the College for Kids lineup this summer at Lewis and Clark Community College. In addition to the usual schedule of creative and entertaining learning opportunities offered each summer, K-Pop Demon Hunters: Music, Culture and Confidence; Blazers Bureau of Investigation: Crime Solvers; and Blazers Bureau of Investigation: Junior Detectives have been added. “We look for activities that are educational, fun, creative, and engaging,” Community

CHICAGO - An Illinois Lottery player who bought her ticket online has come forward to claim a $536 million Mega Millions jackpot, the agency announced Tuesday, marking the first Mega Millions jackpot claimed in 2026. The winner, who is remaining anonymous under the nickname “Lucky Lady,” purchased the ticket through the Illinois Lottery’s iLottery platform for the March 10 drawing, the lottery said March 18 in Chicago. The Illinois Lottery described the prize as the second-largest

PONTOON BEACH - The Agency for Community Transit (ACT) Board of Directors recently recognized three employees for achieving significant safe driving milestones while serving the community through public transportation. Employees recognized for their years of safe driving include: · Mike Taylor, Demand Response Driver – 10 Years of Perfect Safety · Dave Forbes, Fixed Route Driver – 10 Years of Perfect Safety · Ken Hill, Fixed Route Driver – 15 Years o

EDWARDSVILLE - Kurt Prenzler, a Republican candidate for Madison County Clerk and Recorder, said he called Linda Andreas “last night” (Tuesday, March 17, 2026) to congratulate her on her victory in a brief statement released after the election. The final tally for the Madison County Clerk and Recorder race was Andreas with 8,418 votes (52.85 percent) to Prenzler's 7,509 votes (47.15 percent). “I called Linda Andreas last night to congratulate her on her victory,” Prenzler

ALTON - Students throughout the Alton community had the opportunity to present their business plans to bankers. Every year, students from Alton High School and surrounding schools participate in the Riverbend CEO program, which teaches them about entrepreneurship. As a culmination of the program, students develop their own business plan, and, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, they presented this plan to bankers to receive funding. “It's not a class. It is an opportunity for entrepreneurs

FERGUSON, MO. - Prosecutors in St. Louis County have filed first-degree murder and other charges against an 18-year-old man in the fatal shooting of a Lyft driver in Ferguson, Missouri, a case investigators say stemmed from an ongoing feud involving the rider passengers. The victim was later identified as Shannon O’Brien, 28, of the 4300 block of De Tonty Street in St. Louis, police said. O'Brien was an Edwardsville High School graduate and was once a member of the Tigers' girls cross

CHICAGO, IL — Following today’s U.S. Senate primary in Illinois, Raja Krishnamoorthi released the following statement: “I called Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and congratulated her on winning this primary. I trust that she will continue the lasting legacy that Senator Durbin leaves behind. “Only in America can an immigrant with twenty-nine letters in his name go from public housing and food stamps to the halls of Congress. I will continue to fight for our