CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is proudly recognizing May as Foster Parent Appreciation Month, a time to acknowledge and celebrate the extraordinary foster families and relative and kinship caregivers across the state who have opened their hearts, their homes and their lives to care for the state’s most vulnerable children. “Our incredible foster parents, relative and kinship caregivers are our true partners as we work to transform
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nominations of Michael J. Hendershot, to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio; Arthur Robert Jones, to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas; Jeffrey T. Kuntz, to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida; and John George Edward Marck,
On May 2, 1945, the Battle of Berlin effectively ended when Soviet forces captured the German capital and its defenders stopped organized resistance. The fall of Berlin mattered immediately because it marked the collapse of Nazi Germany’s ability to wage war in Europe, even though the formal surrender would come days later. It also mattered for what followed: the end of the war opened the way to rebuilding shattered societies, holding leaders accountable for wartime crimes, and redrawing
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) pressed U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) officials today to protect access to maternal health care for Veterans. During the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) hearing, Duckworth raised her longstanding concerns about the VA’s failure to provide every Veteran in need of perinatal care with the world-class care and support they deserve—especially Black, rural and disabled Veterans,
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned judicial nominees during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Durbin first questioned Arthur Roberts Jones, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, about his recent involvement with Gun Owners of America. The organization has criticized the National Rifle Association (NRA) for being too moderate, proudly claiming that it
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in March, up +0.1 percentage point from February, and up +0.5 percentage point from the same month, one year ago, based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The revised February unemployment rate was 5.0 percent. Total nonfarm payrolls increased over-the-month in March, up +8,400 (+0.1%) to 6,145,500. The February monthly change in payroll
GODFREY - Craig Lombardi, a Village Trustee in Godfrey, believes everyone in town is firing on all cylinders. Lombardi recently stopped by “Our Daily Show” with CJ Nasello to talk about his work as a trustee and the village’s plans for gaming, the rec center and more. He says Godfrey is moving in a positive direction and he hopes to secure another term as trustee so he can continue to help the community grow. “Godfrey has a lot of good things going on right
GLEN CARBON – The Glen Carbon Police Department is donating extra equipment to other Illinois law enforcement agencies after recent Village Board approval of the donations and two agreements regarding dispatch services and phone systems. Village Board members approved multiple police-related items at their April 28, 2026 meeting, including: The donation of five Paraclete rifle plates to the Alton Police Department The donation of eight Paraclete rifle vest and two Point Blank vests
BELLEVILLE - CASA of Southwestern Illinois is looking for volunteers, and they emphasized that anyone can join their work and be a hero for local kids. CASAs, or Court-Appointed Special Advocates, work with kids who have experienced abuse or neglect, most of whom are in the foster care system. These volunteers spend time with the kids and speak on their behalf in court to help the judge make decisions in the best interest of the child. “A CASA volunteer, in simplest terms, is a professional
HARDIN – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that daytime lane closures on the Joe Page bridge, which carries Illinois 100/16 over the Illinois River between Calhoun and Greene counties will begin Monday, May 4, weather permitting. During the initial phase, two-way traffic will be maintained using flaggers. Continuous daytime lane closures will continue through Friday, May 15. Beginning Monday, May 18, two-way traffic will be maintained by temporary traffic
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on today’s Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais: “With this decision, the Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority has again turned its back on the promise of an equal right to vote, further eroding the landmark Voting Rights Act . “As Justice Kagan wrote for the dissent, the Voting Rights Act was ‘born
GODFREY — Native plants beautify landscapes and help support songbirds and other cherished wildlife. A wide variety of native wildflowers, grasses, sedges, vines, shrubs, trees and other native plant products supplied by four Grow Native! professional members will be available for purchase at a Grow Native! native plant sale held in partnership with The Nature Institute at 2213 S. Levis Ln., Godfrey, IL 62035 on Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Vendors at this event
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - Three people were killed in a three-vehicle crash on Friday night, May 1, 2026, on Lewis and Clark Boulevard in St. Louis, according to a fatality crash report investigated by MCIU #2 MSGT. J. Cox and CPL. A. Smith. The crash was reported at 8:32 p.m. on May 1, 2026, on southbound Lewis and Clark Boulevard north of Haviland Drive in St. Louis County. Investigators said Vehicle 1, a 2013 Cadillac SRX traveling southbound, sideswiped Vehicle 2, a 2020 Lexus RX350 traveling southbound
O'FALLON - On Friday morning, May 1, 2026, Illinois State Police said a man was struck and killed. Illinois State Police said troopers received information around 6:30 a.m. Friday, a pedestrian was walking in and out of westbound traffic near milepost 14 when a semi-truck struck the pedestrian. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene by the St. Clair County Coroner's Office. The St. Clair County Coroner’s Office identified the man as Ethan D. Wood, 35, with a last known address
ALTON – A St. Louis man accused of using a stolen box truck to break into an Alton building after robbing a Phillips 66 employee at gunpoint has been detained on multiple felony charges. Jesse J. Williams, 35, of St. Louis, was charged with the following offenses on April 27, 2026: Armed robbery (a Class X felony) Unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle (a Class 2 felony) Attempted burglary (a Class 3 felony) Aggravated unlawful possession of weapons (a Class 4 felony)
EDWARDSVILLE – A Jerseyville man who allegedly believed he was soliciting a 12-year-old “girl” via Facebook faces felony charges after the fake account was operated by an Edwardsville detective. Kyle Kniffen, 30, of the 400 block of Fairview Avenue in Jerseyville, was charged on April 23, 2026 with one count each of indecent solicitation of a child (a Class 1 felony), solicitation to meet a child, and grooming (both Class 4 felonies). The charges against him were sealed unti
ALTON – Get your kicks on Route 66 in southwest Illinois this summer. Communities and residents all along the Last 100 Miles of Route 66 in Illinois will celebrate with a variety of festivals, events and even newly created Mother Road themed products. The official kick off to the centennial is Thursday, April 30, 2026 and there are plans for a wide range of community events, activities and even newly created Route 66 craft beer and craft beverages. Locals makers in southwest Illinois
ALTON/GODFREY - Alton High School seniors spent their last day of school together at the park. On Friday, May 1, 2026, the Class of 2026 held a field day at Glazebrook Park, where they enjoyed soccer and basketball games, bounce houses, music, a cookout and more. They also did a “walkout” where they visited their old elementary schools. AHS Principal Stacie Franke noted that the day was a fun way to celebrate their hard work before graduation. “It’s just really a
GODFREY - Resurrection Lutheran Church will host their annual spring flea market this weekend. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2026, community members can stop by Resurrection Lutheran Church at 1211 W. Homer Adams Parkway in Godfrey for the market. You can expect tools, antiques, clothing, toys and plenty more items. Dan Garner, one of the organizers, is looking forward to sharing the church’s work with those who stop by. “We try to have something at least quarterly
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) led a group of 24 Senate Democrats in pushing back on President Trump’s executive order attacking vote-by-mail. The March 31 Executive
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