EDWARDSVILLE - Linda Andreas said she was very appreciative of the voting support she garnered to defeat challenger Kurt Prentzler as the Republican nominee for the Madison County Clerk position. Andreas was declared the Republican nominee for Madison County Clerk, according to the latest unofficial results from the 2026 primary elections, setting up a Nov. 3, 2026, general election contest against Democrat Rachelle Bauerle. Andreas, the incumbent county clerk, held a lead over challenger Kurt
ILLINOIS - Charles Meier will run unopposed to represent the 109th District in the Illinois House of Representatives on Nov. 3, 2026. During the primary election on March 17, 2026, incumbent Charlie Meier ran against his challenger Zachary Meyer for the Republican nomination. Meier took 62.2% of votes while Meyer received 37.8% of votes. Meier has held this seat since 2013. The 109th District includes Highland, Marine, Troy, and parts of Edwardsville.
EDWARDSVILLE – Edwardsville voters made their positions on video gambling well known during the 2026 primary elections. Voters faced a city-wide referendum on their ballots concerning the topic of video gambling, with the exact wording as follows: Shall the City of Edwardsville allow video gambling subject to regulation in existing establishments with on premises consumption of alcohol/liquor? 66.73% of Edwardsville residents voted against the referendum, while 33.27% voted in favor,
RIVERBEND - Democrat Marsie Geldert-Murphey will compete against Republican Erica Harriss in the race to represent the 56th District in the Illinois Senate. Marsie Geldert-Murphey and Kevin Hall, both Democrats, faced each other during the March 17, 2026, primary, and Geldert-Murphey secured the Democratic nomination. Geldert-Murphey secured 53.5% of votes and Hall received 46.5% of votes. Harriss has represented the 56th District since 2023. The 56th District includes parts of Godfrey,
SPRINGFIELD - With most precincts reporting, state Sen. Darren Bailey held a wide lead Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in the Illinois Republican primary for governor. Bailey had 281,431 votes, or 53.49%, with 92% reporting. Ted Dabrowski followed with 151,101 votes, or 28.72%. James Mendrick had 51,058 votes, or 9.70%, and Rick Heidner had 42,514 votes, or 8.08%. The race was not called. In a statement posted Tuesday night, March 17, 2026, Bailey addressed voters across the field. “To
EDWARDSVILLE – Linda Andreas has been named the Republican nominee for Madison County Clerk, according to the latest unofficial results for the 2026 primary elections. Andreas, the incumbent County Clerk, has unofficially secured her bid against challenger Kurt Prenzler, with Andreas receiving 52.85% of the vote and Prenzler receiving 47.15% of the vote, with 100% of precincts reporting. Andreas is set to face Democrat Rachelle Bauerle in the general elections on Nov. 3, 2026. Two
ILLINOIS - Margaret Croke will run against Bryan Drew for the Illinois comptroller seat. Incumbent Susana Mendoza has decided not to run for reelection. During the March 17, 2026, primary, four Democrats — Margaret Croke, Stephanie Kifowit, Holly Kim and Karina Villa — competed for the Democratic nomination. Croke received 35% of votes, Kifowit had 32.5% of votes, Kim took 24% of votes, and Villa had 8.5% votes. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026. Croke an
SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker used primary election night remarks Tuesday to declare himself the Democratic nominee for governor and to frame the coming general election, while Christian Mitchell said he was “so proud to be your Democratic Nominee for Lieutenant Governor.” Pritzker ran unopposed in the Democratic primary election for governor. Speaking March 17, 2026, Pritzker thanked supporters and praised Mitchell as “the next Lieutenant Governor of Illinois,”
ILLINOIS - Nikki Budzinski will face Jeff Wilson in the race to represent Illinois’s 13th Congressional District during the general election on Nov. 3, 2026. Incumbent Nikki Budzinski has held this office since 2023. Budzinski, a Democrat, was challenged by Democrat Dylan Blaha for the Democratic nomination in the March 17, 2026, primary. Budzinski received 77% of votes while Blaha received 23% of votes. Republicans Joshua Loyd and Jeff Wilson competed for the Republican nomination.
BELLEVILLE – The race for St. Clair County Sheriff marked the only county-level contest in the 2026 primary elections. Incumbent Sheriff Richard “Rick” Watson secured his nomination bid against challenger Edgar Ellis in the Democratic primary race for St. Clair County Sheriff. Watson received 65% of the vote, while Ellis received 34% of the vote, with 100% of precincts partially reporting, according to unofficial results from March 17, 2026 . Watson is set to run unopposed
JERSEYVILLE – Rebecca Strang has been named the Republican nominee for Jersey County Treasurer, according to unofficial primary election results released the night of Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Strang, who serves as the current County Treasurer, secured 71% of the vote against challenger Jonathan Goetten, who received 29% of the vote with 100% of precincts reporting. Strang will run unopposed in the race for Treasurer in the Nov. 3, 2026 general elections, as no Democrat candidate
EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County officials resumed meeting in the Board Room last week after months of renovation to improve the safety, accessibility and functionality of the 34-year-old space. Board members held their first committee meeting on March 11 in the updated room. They will hold their first County Board meeting at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. “These upgrades allow us to better serve the public while ensuring the board room will continue to meet the county’s needs for years
ILLINOIS - As spring storms roll in, an Ameren spokesperson is clarifying how Ameren Illinois prepares and responds to storms, damage, and safety concerns. Brian Bretsch with Ameren Illinois noted that the company’s community liaison works closely with local city and county stakeholders as well as police and fire departments to ensure safety throughout a storm. This person will keep track of local outages and downed power lines so the crews can take care of these safety issues. W
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - Fairview Heights police arrested a St. Louis man in the parking lot of a Lowe’s store after officers said they found him connected to a stolen U-Haul vehicle, authorities reported. Fairview Heights Police said the department was dispatched March 15, 2026, to the Lowe’s parking lot at 6211 North Illinois in Fairview Heights, Illinois, after a report of a stolen U-Haul vehicle possibly in the lot. Fairview Heights Police officers contacted the reporting
ALTON - Alton High’s girls track and field team won the overall title Friday, March 13, 2026, at the Jacksonville Indoor Invitational at Illinois College, highlighted by six-event victories and multiple school records. Alton finished the meet with 99.5 points. Mascoutah was next with 87.5 points and Civic Memorial recorded 39 and Roxana 32.5 points. Jersey was 14th with 12 points and Marquette Catholic tallied 8 points. Head Coach Chelsea Anderson said the Lady Redbirds “placed
WOOD RIVER - The Wood River Main Street organization is “very busy” as spring approaches, but that’s exactly how they like it. Executive Director Kristen Burns noted there are many upcoming events that community members can enjoy. She also shared that downtown Wood River is a flurry of construction as old buildings are rehabilitated. She looks forward to seeing the finished look. “This is progress. This is what progress and revitalization is all about,” she
GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College made history on Feb. 27–28, 2026, hosting the Illinois Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference for the first time —and delivering a standout performance in the process. LC’s eight competing students each placed in at least one event, securing every student a coveted invitation to the FBLA National Leadership Conference (NLC), to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada in early June 2026. Adding t
MASCOUTAH – The home of your dreams may just be a raffle ticket away! Make-A-Wish Illinois is once again partnering with The Home Builders and Remodelers Charitable and Educational Foundation and Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas for the 2026 Wish Home Raffle. Tickets are just $100 each, giving entrants the chance to win their choice of up to $300,000 cash or a beautiful new home in Mascoutah, Illinois, along with several other prizes. To purchase tickets, visit wish.org/illinois . Grand
EDWARDSVILLE – For several days beginning Monday, March 23, access to and from Main Street will be blocked at Vandalia Street as part of the ongoing water main replacement project. The closure is expected to last up to five days, weather permitting. However, while eastbound and westbound access will not be possible, drivers already on Main Street will be able to continue north or south through the intersection while this work is underway. Drivers will be able to bypass the East Vandalia
Health care providers will tell you your body functions as a whole. If you have heart issues, for example, other body parts can be impacted. That’s evident in our mouth, where poor oral health has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. Now, here’s another connection to add to your oral health checklist: issues with your teeth and gums could be a sign of osteoporosis . That’s a condition that weakens the bones and puts them at greater risk of breaking.
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