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TROY - Families will have a chance to “Unearth a Story” during a dinosaur-themed summer reading kickoff hosted by the Tri-Township Public Library District from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Tri-Township Park’s Pavilion No. 10 in Troy, Illinois. The event marks the launch of the library district’s 2026 Summer Reading Challenge and is billed as a morning of “prehistoric proportions” to celebrate “the best season of the year.” Plann

MADISON – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that road repairs on Illinois 203 between Collinsville Road and the Madison County line in St. Clair County will require daily lane closures beginning, weather permitting, Monday, May 11. The closures will affect both northbound and southbound lanes. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during the closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, remain alert for changing conditions,

CARLINVILLE – A new agreement between the Carlinville Community Unit School District 1 and Lewis and Clark Community College will allow the college to directly provide educational opportunities to the students of Carlinville and Macoupin County. Lewis and Clark has a longstanding history of providing direct services to the residents of Macoupin County with a physical presence in Carlinville. In 2003, the college opened the Macoupin County Community Education Center on Shipman Road

Hello and welcome back to my weekly Capitol Update. Both the House and Senate were in session this week as the Illinois General Assembly began the final month of its scheduled spring session. With Illinois tied for the highest property taxes in the nation, House Republicans are proposing solutions to deliver property tax relief to homeowners across the state. Several of my colleagues held a press conference this week to unveil our Property Tax Reform Agenda, which I fully support. How much

EDWARDSVILLE – Charges against a Missouri man accused of soliciting who he believed was a 12-year-old girl were unsealed this week after his arrest following an Edwardsville Police social media sting operation. Brandon R. Nute, 23, of Wentzville, Mo., was charged with one count each of indecent solicitation of a child (a Class 1 felony), solicitation to meet a child (a Class 4 felony), and grooming (both Class 4 felonies). From March 28 to April 21, 2026, Nute allegedly knowingly solicited

ALTON - Over 40 Alton High School seniors received local scholarships during a special awards night. On Thursday, May 7, 2026, Alton Community Unit School District #11 families came together to celebrate the 41 graduating seniors who were awarded scholarships. Dr. Jordan Anderson, who helped organize the night, shared that these scholarships will give a boost to students as they embark on their next chapters. “It’s just really amazing to see our community invest in the future

RIVERBEND - As families prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day and schools across the region honor their graduates, a few local restaurants have special deals for you to enjoy. Penalty Box Bar and Grill With a huge patio and an expansive menu, Penalty Box Bar and Grill in East Alton is the go-to spot this Mother’s Day weekend. They will offer a special breakfast pizza as well as $5 mimosas and Bloody Marys throughout the weekend to celebrate. If you’d rather sleep in,

ALTON - The beloved Alton Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market kicks off this weekend. From 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday from May 9 through Oct. 17, 2026, community members can stop by the market. Located in the parking lot at the corner of Landmarks Boulevard and Henry Street in downtown Alton, the market draws crowds every weekend. People enjoy the fresh produce and locally-sourced honey and meat, while others beeline to the artisans’ tables for jewelry, pottery, pet-themed

ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on Saturday, May 2, 2026, issued charges against Lorenzo Gaines, 23, in a sexual assault case investigators say involves multiple victims. Gaines, of the 10300 block of Oxford Hill Drive, St. Louis, Mo., 63146, was charged with four counts of Rape or Attempted Rape 1st Degree, Sexual Abuse 1st Degree, and Sodomy or Attempted Sodomy 1st Degree. Gaines is being held on $750,000 cash-only, no 10% bond. A summary

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced the winners of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for Illinois’ 13th Congressional District. This year’s overall winner is Charlotte Lin of University Laboratory High School for her piece, “Liminal.” To watch a video of the Congresswoman’s announcement and to view the winning artwork, click HERE . “The artistic talent and creativity of students across Central and Southern Illinoi

GRANITE CITY – Granite City Elks Lodge #1063 recognized Granite City High School seniors Clark Goodman and Kaylee Hobbs as Students of the Month for May. The Elks Student of the Month Program is designed to recognize outstanding young men and women for achievements in school and community life-fine arts, hobbies, athletics, church, school, club and community service, industry and farming. Nominees are judged on multiple achievements including leadership skills, good moral character, community

SPRINGFIELD, IL. - Members of the Illinois National Guard’s Staff Judge Advocate Corps gathered on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the Illinois National Guard’s headquarters on Camp Lincoln in Springfield, where Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, the adjutant general of Illinois and commander of the Illinois National Guard, presented Col. Sarah Smith with the Legion of Merit. Smith is a circuit judge in the Third Judicial Circuit of Illinois, presiding in Madison County, and a colonel in the Illinois

MARYVILLE, IL. - Wade Kamadulski, a student at Maryville Christian School, spent a day patrolling Maryville, Illinois, alongside Officer Sinclair as the Maryville Police Department’s “Student Officer of the Day,” taking part in a series of activities meant to provide a firsthand look at police work and public service. The Maryville Police Department said Kamadulski’s duties included learning about police equipment and squad car operations, touring the Glen

ST. CLAIR COUNTY - The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department held its annual Fallen Officer Memorial Service on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Christ Church in Fairview Heights, honoring officers “who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our community.” The department thanked Christ Church for allowing the use of its facility and for supporting the event. It also recognized the Fairview Heights Police Honor Guard Unit, the St. Louis County Police Department

CHICAGO — If you purchased a Lotto ® ticket in Chicago’s Ashburn neighborhood, you might want to check your numbers — you could be the state’s newest millionaire. The winning ticket was sold at Lucky Mart, located at 2900 W. 87th Street, and matched all six Lotto Million 1 numbers in the Thursday, May 7 drawing: 5-8-13-44-48-50. A fixture in the community for over 40 years, Lucky Mart is a go-to destination for lottery players. Store owner Abed Ayesh believes

ALTON — Prosecutors in Madison County have filed a felony theft charge against a Chicago man after Alton police investigated what they described as a theft by deception that took nearly $64,000 from a local business earlier this year. The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office, led by State’s Attorney Tom Haine, on Thursday, May 7, 2026, charged Anthony J. Arias Tria, a 23-year-old man from Chicago, with theft, a Class 2 felony, for an amount exceeding $10,000 but les

CHICAGO — Two friends from Cook County are celebrating after claiming a $750,000 Lucky Day Lotto ® jackpot. The winners, who are remaining anonymous under the name ‘Pirate Gals,’ purchased the winning ticket at Squire Liquor & Tobacco, located at 1929 Plum Grove Rd. in Palatine. “I was still in the store when I realized we had won—I was so excited,” said the ‘Pirate Gal' who bought the ticket. She immediately called her friend who double-checked

EDWARDSVILLE - The City of Edwardsville, home to the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has again been ranked nationally as one of the safest college towns in America. In an article “50 Safest College Towns in America for 2026,” Research.com ranked Edwardsville as No.14, noting low violent crime rates, community safety and the vibrant atmosphere surrounding SIUE. Edwardsville recorded 0.30 violent crimes and 5.77 property crimes per 1,000 residents. Rankings

GRANITE CITY – A local man accused of firing a weapon in a Granite City neighborhood faces felony charges after allegedly endangering nearby residents. Cleandres T. Dixon, 42, of Granite City, was charged with one count each of reckless discharge of a firearm and aggravated unlawful possession of weapons (both Class 4 felonies) on April 27, 2026. The day prior on April 26, 2026, Dixon allegedly knowingly discharged a firearm in a reckless manner while in the vicinity of another individual,

GODFREY - Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick noted that the village is growing, and he is proud to be a part of this community. McCormick shared that conversations about the recreation center are continuing, and he is eager to see what happens next. He is also proud of how Glazebrook Park has grown and clarified that the roundabout project will start soon. “2026, what am I most excited about?” McCormick reflected. “Just the way our programs are growing and just the thought