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SPRINGFIELD – National Unclaimed Property Day is this weekend, and Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is encouraging people to visit the ICash missing money website to see if they have money or other unclaimed property waiting for them. “This Sunday, February 1, is National Unclaimed Property Day, and I hope people will celebrate by checking our ICash website to see if they or any loved ones have missing money to claim,” Treasurer Frerichs said. “If you want

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Director James Jennings today announced an extension to the current Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate Program application cycle from January 31, 2026 to May 31, 2026. Illinois EPA will process all applications received through January 31, 2026, including non-low income, given those individuals applied with the expectation that rebates would be processed at the end of the initial application cycle. After January 31, 2026, Illinois

ALTON - Alton High School’s mid-winter commencement exercises were held at the school the evening of Friday, January 29, 1926. Two students received special recognition. Valedictorian Caroline Haberer had attained high honors rank for every semester of her four years at Alton High. She also studied pipe organ and was so skilled that she played the accompaniment for the Sunday School orchestra of the First Presbyterian Church. She also served as class vice-president, sang in the chorus,

ROLLA, Mo. - Missouri University of Science and Technology announces the names of students who made the dean's list for the Fall 2025 semester. The dean's list can also be found online at studenthonors.mst.edu. To be included on the dean's list, students must carry a minimum of 12 hours and have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or above out of a possible 4.0. The area students on the Dean's List are listed below. About Missouri University of Science and Technology Missouri University

EDWARDSVILLE — The Edwardsville Fire Department responded to a warehouse fire in the 100 block of First Avenue Saturday evening, officials said. The call came in just after 6 p.m. on Saturday, reporting a single-story warehouse on fire. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke and flames coming through the roof. A box alarm was requested, bringing additional support from Wood River, Glen Carbon, and Troy fire departments. Madison County Emergency Management also arrived on

GODFREY — The Godfrey Fire Department responded to a structure fire Saturday morning, Jan. 31, 2026, in the 5000 block of Staten Drive that trapped an elderly woman inside the home, officials said. The department received a 911 call at 9:41 a.m. Saturday, reporting the fire and the woman trapped inside. Three other residents inside the house managed to rescue the woman and move her across the street. During the rescue, a man suffered serious burns and was transported to a hospital in St

GODFREY — Firefighters from the Godfrey Fire Protection District and several other departments responded to a serious fire Saturday morning in the 5000 block of Staten in Godfrey. The incident occurred on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, amid challenging weather conditions, with temperatures around 8 degrees. The Godfrey Fire Protection District deployed its ladder truck to assist in firefighting efforts. Godfrey Fire Chief Eric Cranmer said an elderly woman was inside the house at the time o

January isn’t named for snow, cold, or a fresh calendar page. It’s named for a Roman god with two faces. That detail sounds like a myth trivia question, but it explains something most people feel every year: January is a month of looking back and looking forward at the same time. The Romans built that idea into the name itself by linking the month to Janus, the god of beginnings, gates, and transitions. The god behind the name Janus (pronounced JAY-nus) was an important figure

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, released the following statement after the Committee advanced cryptocurrency market structure legislation along party lines. Republicans also voted to reject two amendments that Durbin offered in order to strengthen the bill. Durbin’s amendments attempted to crack down on crypto ATM fraud and ban some crypto intermediaries from receiving a federal bailout. “The 2008 financial

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) announced plans to distribute $3.6 million in fiscal year 2026 at the Everything Local conference in Springfield on Wednesday. The funds, which were appropriated in the FY26 state budget, will be used to support local food processing, aggregation, and distribution. Grants will be available for collaborative projects from $1,000 to $250,000 and for individual projects from $1,000 to $75,000. “Strong agriculture depends on

QUINCY - Quincy University released its Dean's List for the Fall 2025 semester. Honorees must earn a semester grade point average of at least 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) to be included in the biannual Dean's List. In total, 379 students received the honor during the Fall 2025 semester. Carrollton, Glen Carbon, and Jerseyville students were named to the list. The students are listed below. HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME Carrollton, IL Hannah Uhles Glen Carbon, IL Patrick Chism Jerseyville, IL

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is proud to recognize the outstanding academic achievements of the Blugolds who have earned a place on the Dean’s List. Their commitment to excellence exemplifies the highest standards of scholarship at UW-Eau Claire. Congratulations on this remarkable accomplishment. Edwardsville's Sam Wittek was named to the Dean's List at UW-Eau Claire. He is enrolled in the College of Business. To be eligible, a student must: - be in good

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Downtown Airport (KCPS), a premier general aviation airport located just minutes from the Gateway Arch in St. Clair County, Illinois, grew in its role as a regional economic engine in 2025. Throughout the year, KCPS experienced significant tenant investments and improvements in airport infrastructure, while continuing to be an active regional player in workforce development and industry attraction. In 2025, the airport welcomed investments by tenants that augmented

WOOD RIVER - As Wood River prepares for the year ahead, Mayor Tom Stalcup and City Manager Steve Palen promise a few updates regarding Hollywood River Studios. In June 2025, Wood River received a $500,000 bid from Wood River Farm Investments LLC to purchase and develop a 105-acre site, formerly known as the EnviroTech Business Park or the Wood River Business Park, into Hollywood River Studios. The City Council approved a final $1 million offer from Wood River Farm Investments LLC

Chamber Project Saint Louis Presents “DANCE BREAK: Fancy Footwork” EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s presentation of “DANCE BREAK: Fancy Footwork” on Wednesday, Jan. 28, was a collaboration between University Dance Company and Chamber Project Saint Louis. The vibrant stage show celebrated the powerful partnership between live music and dance. Inviting audiences to “shake your tail feathers,” the evening offered a global journey

GLEN CARBON – The Glen Carbon Police Department is getting new vehicles, vests, and an additional dispatcher with the Village Board’s recent approval. Trustees unanimously approved allowing the police department to exceed authorized manning for dispatchers by one position at their Jan. 27, 2026 meeting. Police Chief Todd Link explained that one of the department’s senior telecommunicators will be leaving the agency to move out of state within the next month or two. Given th

EDWARDSVILLE — Several members of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office were honored for their service and bravery at the 33rd annual SILEC/SIPCA Awards Banquet held recently. The event recognized law enforcement personnel for their dedication and professionalism in serving the community. Among the honorees from the Madison County Sheriff's Office were Telecommunicator Katie Ferguson, who received the Telecommunicator Award, and Patrol Deputies Joshua Bogle and Zachary Sellers,

WOOD RIVER/GRANITE CITY – Local authorities have charged two men from Wood River and Granite City in separate felony cases of domestic battery. William K. Kampmann III, 37, of Wood River, was charged on Jan. 23, 2026 with one count each of aggravated domestic battery (a Class 2 felony) and domestic battery (a Class 4 felony). On Jan. 21, 2026, Kampmann allegedly committed an act of domestic battery against a household or family member, knowingly causing the victim bodily harm. Charging

COLLINSVILLE - Renfro Elementary educational assistant Jennifer Cox was recognized today as January 2026 Kahok Educator of the Month. The award was presented by Renfro Principal Dr. Laura Bauer and local Benjamin F. Edwards financial advisor Jason Rehg. In her nomination of Ms. Cox, Dr. Bauer wrote: "Jennifer Cox deserves to be Kahok Educator of the Month because: She is an educational assistant who has the most amazing work ethic. She is a special education assistant who pushes int

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) pressed U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins on his haphazard plans to restructure the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), which comes at a time when the VA is facing a severe staffing shortage as a direct result of the Trump Administration betraying our Veterans and removing 40,000 dedicated civil servants from the agency. During the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC)