WASHINGTON – After the Trump Administration announced a preliminary deal to end the conflict between the U.S. and Iran, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) highlighted holes in the framework in a speech on the Senate floor, including those that fail to address critical issues related to Iran’s nuclear program and Iran’s support for terrorist proxies. Durbin said, “While I am glad that we might be seeing an end to the hostilities, I am deeply concerned
Children and Family Services Advisory Council Garvin Ambrose will serve as a Member of the Children and Family Services Advisory Council.* Ambrose currently serves as Chief of Staff to Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke. Previously, Ambrose served as Chief of the Bureau of Administrative Services at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. Earlier in his career, Ambrose served as Chief of Staff to the Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez
CHICAGO – The Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission (IWCC) is proud to announce that Deputy General Counsel Cole Garrett has been named a recipient of the 2026 NextGen Award from the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC), a prestigious recognition honoring emerging leaders under the age of 40 who are making significant contributions to the workers' compensation industry. Garrett was selected for his leadership, innovation and dedication
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announces Dutch Reach awareness campaign to help prevent tragic crashes. The Dutch Reach, a technique for safely exiting a vehicle, has been promoted through Illinois driver education programs and the Rules of the Road publication as a simple way to improve awareness of approaching cyclists, pedestrians and other roadway users. The reminder comes after Chicago Department of Transportation employee Riley O’Neil, 35,
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) has awarded new HealthChoice Illinois (HCI) contracts to six Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs). The new contracts will make significant improvements to the way that the Medicaid program operates by holding the MCOs accountable for how they serve customers by promoting whole person care. The new contracts now require MCOs to improve the integration of physical and behavioral healthcare with a focus on
MADISON COUNTY – The Illinois Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting to discuss a study for the proposed improvements on U.S. 40 from Formosa Road to Illinois 162 in Madison County. The meeting will be held: Monday, June 29, 2026 ?4-7 p.m. ?CA Henning School ?520 U.S. 40, Troy, Ill. IDOT, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, has initiated the preliminary engineering and environmental study of U.S. 40. This section of U.S. 40 is in the city o
“Soaking up the sun” sounds physical, as if people can absorb sunlight the way a towel absorbs water. Of course, that is not what happens. Yet the phrase feels so natural that most people use it without thinking. That is what makes it interesting: behind this simple expression is a mix of body language, emotion, culture, and old ideas about what sunshine means. What “soaking up the sun” actually means At its most basic, “soaking up the sun” means spending
Tuesday starts partly sunny and comfortable, with temperatures in the low 60s and just a light southeast breeze. Early risers get a calm start, and it should stay quiet through the first part of the morning before clouds and sun continue to mix overhead. By afternoon, temperatures climb to a high of 78 as a southwest wind picks up to around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. A thunderstorm could pop up later in the day, with rain chances at 55 percent. If you are out through midday or early
On June 16, 1963, Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to travel into space, a milestone that carried meaning far beyond the Soviet space program that launched her. Flying aboard Vostok 6, she orbited Earth 48 times and spent nearly three days in space. At the time, her mission showed how fiercely the Cold War powers were competing for scientific prestige and global influence. It also mattered on a human level: Tereshkova’s flight challenged assumptions about who could take part
EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County is poised to take a major step in relocating operations out of the former Wood River Township Hospital, with the County Board expected to vote Wednesday on the purchase of three downtown Wood River buildings as part of a plan that officials say would cost less than rehabbing the old hospital site. The board is expected to approve the purchase of 34 W. Ferguson Ave., 22 W. Ferguson Ave., and 203 S. Sixth St. for about $750,000. Renovating those buildings is
EAST ALTON - Several proposals, including a police promotion, demolition plans for four properties, and the purchase of new basketball hoops for the Keasler Complex, were discussed Monday night during an East Alton committee meeting and are set to go before the village board for a vote Tuesday. Among the items discussed was the appointment of Officer Wesley Hockaday to sergeant. Hockaday began his career with the East Alton Police Department in April 2021 after coming from the Venice Police
WOOD RIVER – A future park in downtown Wood River is getting closer to construction. City Council members unanimously approved two items related to the proposed City Center Park at their June 15, 2026 meeting. These include approval to seek bids to build the park and the purchase of materials for the planned stage and pavilion. The “total cost” for the city to purchase the stage and pavilion materials was originally listed in the resolution as $16,630. After Councilman
EAST ST. LOUIS - The City of East St. Louis and Ameren Illinois unveiled two new public DC fast-charging electric vehicle stations Monday morning, June 15, 2026, at City Hall. The city and utility officials said the project is aimed at expanding access to cleaner transportation, plus supporting equity in the clean energy transition. The stations, installed on municipal property at 301 River Park Drive, can charge four vehicles at the same time, according to Ameren Illinois. Ameren Illinois said
JERSEYVILLE - The Jersey County Farmers & Artisan Market will continue its season from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at City Center Plaza, 403 N. State St. in Jerseyville, with live music by Carl Mager, grilling nights, and local vendors offering produce, baked goods, crafts, and other items. The market, run by the Jersey County Business Association in partnership with the City of Jerseyville, is scheduled from June 2 through Sept. 1, 2026, on Tuesdays, except July 14, 2026, because
PONTOON BEACH - Madison County Transit (MCT) is once again making it easy for residents to enjoy a night at The Muny in Forest Park without the hassle of driving and parking in St. Louis. The MCT Muny Express will provide evening service to all Saturday night Muny performances during the 2026 season. The MCT Muny Express offers convenient transportation from select Madison County locations to The Muny, with buses arriving approximately 30 minutes before showtime and dropping passengers off
SOUTH ROXANA – A local woman accused of invading a South Roxana apartment and attacking two residents with a baseball bat faces major felony charges. Paige L. Scarborough, 19, of Wood River, was charged on June 9, 2026 with three Class X felony counts of home invasion and two Class 3 felony counts of aggravated battery. Two days prior on June 7, Scarborough allegedly knowingly entered an occupied apartment in South Roxana without authority while armed with a baseball bat and a taser.
GRANITE CITY - Katie Gartner was a junior goalie and an anchor for the girls' soccer team at Granite City High School in 2026. As the regular season ended last week, Granite finished 7-11-2, winning its season finale at Union, Mo., 2-0, as Gartner earned her sixth clean sheet of the season. She spent the lion's share of time in goal, allowing 32 goals for a goals-against average of 1.78. She will be counted on heavily as the postseason starts this week. Gartner is a Stillwater Senior Living
CASEYVILLE - A Caseyville Police officer pursued a dark green Chevrolet Silverado that was speeding on Route 157 on June 12, 2026, and the driver was later charged with multiple offenses after the vehicle crashed near State Street and 71st Street, according to a Caseyville Police Department news release. Caseyville Police said the officer saw the pickup traveling southbound near California Drive “at a high rate of speed” and attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled “at
BETHALTO - Major Michael Hogan was sworn in Monday as the newest member of the Bethalto Police Department as a major and will serve as deputy chief of police, the Bethalto Police Department announced on Monday, June 15, 2026. Village Clerk Sue Lowrance administered the oath of office in Bethalto, where the department is based at 213 N. Prairie St. Hogan is a Civic Memorial High School graduate and began his law enforcement career as a Bethalto Police Explorer. He later served for
ALTON - As Duke Bakery celebrates its 75th year in Alton, the business is introducing a new “Duke on the Go” trailer. Ben Hollis, one of the owners of Duke Bakery, explained that the trailer will travel to farmers’ markets, festivals, parties and other events to sell Duke’s pastries and beverages. The trailer will debut at the 250 on the Mississippi event on July 1, 2026, at Haskell Park . “With this being our 75th anniversary year here in Alton, we were
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