MADISON COUNTY – The Illinois Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting to discuss a study for the proposed improvements on Illinois 203 from Maverick Drive to Eagle Park Road in Madison County. The meeting will be held: Thursday, April 23 4-7 p.m. The Mill Events 1311 20th St., Granite City IDOT, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, has initiated the preliminary engineering and environmental study of Illinois 203. This section of Illinois 20
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Earth Day today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and U.S. Representatives Summer Lee (D-PA-12), Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12)—Co-Chairs of the Senate and House Environmental Justice Caucuses—unveiled a bicameral report card underscoring how the Trump Administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” mantra is yet another broken promise to the American people. The
WOOD RIVER – Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Oiler of the Month” program at EAWR High School. A Senior student is selected each month by members of EAWR faculty. Each student is awarded a certificate and a Subway gift card. The Seniors selected each month will have the opportunity to compete for a $1,000 “Oiler of the Year” scholarship at the end of the school year. February's winner is Julie Pitts. Julie is a Senior at EAWR and is involved
ROXANA – A local woman accused of stealing from a Roxana-based company joins five people charged with stealing gold and silver coins in facing felony theft charges in Madison County. Tiffani R. Jones, 38, of Cottage Hills, was charged on April 16, 2026 with two counts of theft of property over $100,000, both Class 1 felonies. From Dec. 2, 2024 to Feb. 21, 2026, Jones allegedly knowingly committed a series of acts to obtain $598,275.31 from Banner Fire Equipment, Inc. based in Roxana,
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) delivered remarks on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives honoring the life and legacy of former Illinois State Representative Barbara Flynn Currie. A trailblazer in state politics, Currie was the first woman to serve as Illinois House Majority Leader and went on to become the longest-serving woman in the history of the General Assembly. WATCH: Budzinski Honors Life of Illinois Icon Barbara Flynn Currie Budzinski’s
ALTON - During their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education unanimously appointed Claire Gorman to the role of assistant principal at Alton Middle School. “I am a graduate of Alton, so it is definitely an honor to step into this new role,” Gorman said. “The community has definitely shaped me and who I am today.” Gorman thanked the Board of Education for their decision to appoint her. She noted tha
CHICAGO – In celebration of Earth Day, Governor JB Pritzker today announced the launch of the first-in-the-nation incentive to promote environmentally sustainable film and television production. Under the expanded program, productions recognized as a “certified green production” through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO) Illinois Film Office will be eligible for an additional 5% tax credit – making Illinois the first state to incentivize
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter opposing a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) proposed rule that would prohibit mixed-status families from living in public housing and receiving other federal housing assistance, including Housing Choice Vouchers (also known as Section 8) and project-based rental assistance. Mixed-status families are comprised of at least one eligible individual an
CHICAGO — With Earth Day approaching, Attorney General Kwame Raoul today highlighted his office’s work to protect the environment, advance clean energy solutions, and sound the alarm about the Trump administration’s unprecedented attempts to illegally dismantle programs and rescind regulations that protect clean air, clean water, clean energy, the climate, and public health and safety. “Since taking office in January 2025, the Trump administration has attempted
ALTON - The Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education recognized April’s Optimist Students of the Month. During their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the Board of Education honored Alton Middle School student Luca Brundis and Mark Twain School student Ja’cari Stiff for their hard work. Both students show kindness and help build a positive culture at their school buildings. Alton Middle School Principal Dr. Brian Saenz introduced Brundis as “an
CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker issued Executive Order 2026 – 04 to strengthen guardrails across state government, prohibiting state employees from using nonpublic information to participate or assist any person in prediction markets and event-based contracts. Illinois is doubling down on its commitment to a transparent and ethical government by bolstering its current state laws to prevent insider trading amid the rapid growth of online prediction markets and event-based
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and U.S. Representative Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17) today are demanding answers from the Army on workforce assignments at Rock Island Arsenal (RIA) that impact hundreds of jobs and families in the region. In a letter to Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, the Members are asking why the Army decided to execute a workforce shift so quickly
BRIGHTON - Southwestern Community Unit School District #9 and the Illinois State Board of Education recently recognized a local teacher for her work. Tiffany Hanslow, a first-grade teacher at Brighton North Primary School, received the Those Who Excel Award of Special Recognition. This award honors educators across Illinois who go above and beyond to support their students. Hanslow expressed her gratitude for the honor. “The only word I can think of is, I’m just very humbled,”
BETHALTO - Future healthcare workers at Civic Memorial High School were celebrated with a special signing ceremony. On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 16 senior students at Civic Memorial were recognized as they committed to careers in healthcare. Teacher Angie Parish, who oversees the immersive Medical Careers classes at CM, expressed her pride in the students and the growing program. “This is why we put in the work that we do,” Parish said. “It’s why I do the sleepless
ALTON - Alton Middle School was recently named a Capturing Kids’ Hearts Showcase School, which is a major accomplishment for the Alton Community Unit School District #11. Principal Dr. Brian Saenz explained that the middle school has subscribed to the Capturing Kids’ Hearts program for many years. This model encourages staff members to empower and build relationships with their students. To be named a Showcase School demonstrates the school’s commitment to this mission.
The first Earth Day wasn’t started by a big environmental group. It was powered by ordinary people—students, teachers, union members, faith groups, and neighbors—showing up in parks, schools, and city streets because the air and water had become impossible to ignore. Earth Day matters because it turned environmental concern into a public, shared project. It helped move pollution from being “just the way things are” to being a problem that citizens could name, measure,
On April 22, 1970, millions of people in the United States took part in the first Earth Day, turning local worries about smog, polluted rivers, pesticides, and vanishing wildlife into a nationwide public event. It mattered then because it showed, in a very visible way, that environmental problems were not isolated complaints but shared, everyday concerns that crossed political and social lines. It still matters today because it helped shape how modern societies talk about the environment: as
WOOD RIVER — The Wood River Police Department responded early Wednesday morning to the 400 block of Walcott Street for what was reported as a possible hostage situation. According to Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells, four people were inside the home when a male began causing a disturbance involving a possible weapon. “One of the people inside the house was able to escape and call for help,” Wells said. When officers arrived, the suspect and two other people remained
GODFREY – After years of discussion, Godfrey trustees have finally approved an updated ordinance tightening the village’s regulations on liquor licenses and video gaming. Village Board members voted 5-1 to approve an ordinance amending Chapter 6 of the Village Code regarding alcoholic beverages and gaming at their April 21, 2026 meeting. Under the updated ordinance, all businesses seeking a video gaming license must first obtain a Class A liquor license, which carries an annual
GLEN CARBON - Bella Redenius continues to build momentum in the middle- and distance events, most recently winning the 1,600 meters at the East Alton-Wood River Quad Meet, where the Father McGivney Catholic junior ran 6:03.1 to take first place. She has also recorded a personal best well under 6 minutes for the 1,600 early in the track and field season for the Griffins. “I felt good, I was happy with my time, 6:03 for the 1,600 meters at the East Alton-Wood River Quad," she said, as
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