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August 2 and 3 have long been days marked by transformative events that have shaped the world in significant ways. In the 19th century, August 2 marked a critical moment during the Franco-Prussian War. In 1870, the Battle of Mars-la-Tour unfolded, where Prussian forces clashed with the French army. Despite being outnumbered, the Prussian troops managed a strategic victory that played a key role in the eventual unification of Germany. This battle exemplifies the shifting balance of power in Europe during the era and the complex dynamics that led to the continent's political landscape in the 20th century. Another notable event occurred in 1934, when Adolf Hitler was appointed Führer of Germany following President Paul von Hindenburg's death. This consolidation of power marked a dark turning point in world history, leading to the establishment of a totalitarian regime and eventually to the outbreak of World War II. Understanding this moment is crucial to comprehending the causes

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bipartisan legislation introduced by combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC)—and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) that would help expand leave benefits for the devoted health professionals serving in the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Corps passed the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP). Despite being responsible for leading our nation’s emergency response to dangerous public health crises and natural disasters, PHS officers are still the only federal entity—civilian or uniformed—without access to essential leave benefits, including extended parental leave, emergency leave, court appearance leave and rest and recuperation leave. The Senators’ Uniformed Services Leave Parity Act would rectify this issue by ensuring PHS officers have access to the same authorized leave that is available to members of

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – C ombat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in reintroducing legislation to help make it easier for our Veterans who struggle with infertility to build their families . Their Veteran Families Health Services Act of 2025 would expand the fertility treatments and family-building services that are covered under servicemembers’ and Veterans’ health care to include—among other things—in vitro fertilization (IVF) and adoption assistance for servicemembers and Veterans who are unable to conceive without assistance and the option for individuals to freeze their eggs or sperm ahead of deployment to a combat zone. This legislation was previously included as part of Senator Duckworth’s Right to IVF Act , which Senate Republicans blocked not once , but twice last year. “After all the tremendous sacrifices our brave women

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CHICAGO — Today, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Director Heidi Mueller, legislators, DCFS staff, caregivers and students gathered to celebrate this year’s scholarship recipients at the department’s annual scholarship luncheon. This year, 347 current or former youth in care received scholarships provided by the Illinois DCFS Scholarship Program, including up to five consecutive years of tuition and mandatory fee waivers valid at Illinois public universities, community colleges and vocational schools. The program also provides student recipients with financial assistance for books and school supplies, a monthly grant payment to supplement other expenses and an Illinois Medicaid card. “As governor, I am committed to uplifting the next generation of Illinoisans, particularly those young people who have faced great adversity with grace and grit.” said Governor JB Pritzker. “From textbooks to tuition, students must be afforded

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul and the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York co-led a multistate lawsuit today challenging the Trump administration’s efforts to restrict access to medically necessary health care for transgender and nonbinary youth. Raoul and the coalition of 14 other attorneys general and the governor of Pennsylvania, filed the lawsuit targeting recent federal actions aimed at deterring providers from offering medically appropriate care to transgender individuals under age 19, even in states like Illinois where such care is legal and protected. The lawsuit argues the administration has overstepped its authority by using threats of criminal prosecution and federal investigations to pressure health care providers. The coalition is asking the court to block these actions and protect access to care for patients who need it. “Medically necessary health care for transgender youth is lawful, essential and lifesaving

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WOOD RIVER - The Original Quarter Auction is celebrating its 16th anniversary with a Sweet 16 bash. On Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, community members can come by the Wood River Moose for a quarter auction featuring 25 vendors and plenty of fun. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the auction starts at 7 p.m. Organizer Andrea, who invented the quarter auction, can’t wait to celebrate its 16th year. “The more you bid, the more you win,” she said. “It’s been fun.” Sixteen years ago, Andrea attended a Tupperware party where attendees were bidding on items using quarters, but she felt it was “so disorganized.” She spent the next two weeks workshopping a new kind of event that would eventually become the quarter auction. Quarter auctions have since gained popularity across the Midwest. When attendees arrive on Aug. 6, they will purchase a paddle for $1. The live auction will begin at 7 p.m., and Andrea’s daughter, Anna Lynn, will call the 100

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GLEN CARBON - In Illinois, families shouldn’t have to choose between putting food on the table and filling a prescription. Yet every day, that’s exactly the choice too many parents, grandparents, and caregivers are forced to make. Not because they’ve done anything wrong, but because a powerful, hidden middleman known as Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) has made it nearly impossible to keep up. Most people have never heard of PBMs, but they feel their impact every time they stand at the pharmacy counter and wonder why a much-needed medication suddenly costs so much. PBMs are the secretive middlemen between drug manufacturers, insurance companies, and local pharmacies. They negotiate drug prices, decide which drugs your insurance will cover, determine how much your neighborhood pharmacy gets paid, and then benefit from the savings that should be going to you. Illinois families work hard, budget carefully, raise kids, and care for aging parents, yet too often, they

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA), the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and the Illinois State Fair invite veterans and their family members to enjoy a free day at the Illinois State Fair on Sunday, August 10, 2025. This celebration marks the 250th Birthdays of the United States Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. The speaking program will include readings and music relevant to the histories of the branches, and period clothing displays. The all-day veterans resource fair features representatives from veteran service organizations from across the state to provide valuable information and resources to veterans. The annual Veterans Day parade through the fairgrounds will conclude the celebration. A complimentary lunch is offered to veterans and their immediate family. “This is a special year for Veterans and Gold Star Families Day as we celebrate the birthdays of the United States Army, Navy, and Marine Corps,” said IDVA Director Terry Prince.

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SPRINGFIELD — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced that Champaign County will receive $6.4 million in Head Start and Early Head Start funding. The competitive grant will serve 269 children and 111 infants and toddlers across the county. This announcement follows a letter of support that Budzinski, alongside Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), sent in December 2024 to secure this necessary funding. “Head Start programs provide vital educational and developmental support to working families in Central and Southern Illinois,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “I’m pleased to announce that after our advocacy to secure these dollars, Champaign County has been awarded $6.4 million in Head Start and Early Head Start funding. Supporting early childhood education is one of my top priorities, and I’m going to keep fighting to protect programs like these that ensure every child is set up for success.” “Providing

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) announced today that 25 more license types are now available for licensure via the Department’s new online licensing system, CORE (Comprehensive Online Regulatory Environment) . Today’s announcement marks the successful completion of CORE’s Phase 2, during which IDFPR added 88 license types to CORE. The license types added today are: Athletic Trainer Continuing Education Sponsor Optometry Continuing Education Sponsor Barber/Cosmetologist/Esthetician/Nail Technician Continuing Education Sponsor Prescribing Psychologist Clinical Rotations Program Canine Handler Training Course Professional Counselor Continuing Education Sponsor Dental/Dental Hygienist Continuing Education Sponsor Psychologist Continuing Education Sponsor Dietitian/Nutrition Counselor Continuing Education Sponsor Respiratory Care Practitioner Continuing Education Sponsor Environm

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA)—co-chairs of the U.S. Senate Environmental Justice Caucus— issued the following statement after Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced his proposal to rescind the 2009 endangerment finding , a landmark determination that requires the EPA to address greenhouse gas emissions and pollution because of the threat that climate change poses to public health and welfare. By rescinding the endangerment finding, the Trump administration will effectively declaw the EPA, giving big businesses a green light to pollute our air and devastate environmental justice communities. “Once again, the Trump Administration is sacrificing our children’s future to protect polluters in the present. Trump and Zeldin are annihilating the key legal foundation that requires our government to act on climate change because it threatens the

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EAST St. Louis - Three people were shot outside a nightclub in East St. Louis early Saturday morning, according to authorities. East St. Louis police received a report of gunfire with a man down at 2:37 a.m. at Another Level nightclub, located at 600 Martin Luther King Drive. Officers responded along with agents from the Illinois State Police’s Public Safety Enforcement Group. Upon arrival, they found three victims who had been shot, the Illinois State Police said in a news release. All three victims were transported to a local hospital. There was no immediate information available about their conditions or the circumstances that led to the shooting. The Illinois State Police said the case remains under investigation. They are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has information to contact ISP at 847-294-4400 or email ISP.CrimeTips@Illinois.gov.

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EDWARDSVILLE – Young players participated in a clinic and heard from guest speakers Devon Alexander and Kweisi Kenyatte as a part of the annual Diversity Day program, presented by McConnell And Associates, on Wednesday aa a part of the Edwardsville Futures tennis tournament, presented by The EGHM Foundation, with the clinic held at Liberty Middle School, and the program in the auditorium of the Jon Davis Wrestling Center at Edwardsville High School. The annual event is designed to created playing opportunities for underserved communities, and three organizations participated in this year's clinic. The Net Rushers Community Tennis Association from north St. Louis City and County, the East St. Louis Community Tennis Association, and Breakpoint Tennis and Life Skills Academy of St. Louis, who all provide tennis opportunities for children and players in underserved communities and areas of St. Louis. The players were all treated to pizza and soda for lunch during the program,

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GODFREY - Community members and their dogs enjoyed the grand opening of the Godfrey dog park. On Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, Village of Godfrey officials and residents celebrated the new dog park at Glazebrook Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Mayor Mike McCormick thanked Beth Heinz, who helped fund and advocate for the park, and expressed his excitement for the village’s newest amenity. “Once Beth walked into my office, I knew we were going to have a dog park, and I want to thank her for that,” McCormick said. “I think this is a nice addition to the Village of Godfrey.” McCormick thanked Jim Lewis and the Public Works Department for their commitment to building the dog park. He also thanked Liz Campbell, who helped connect Beth to the Village of Godfrey. Beth Heinz worked hard to make the dog park a reality in honor of her late father-in-law, Max Heinz. Max served on the Park Board for many years and always wanted to establish a dog park. Bet

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and 14 of their colleagues in pressing Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin to reinstate employees placed on administrative leave after they signed a “Declaration of Dissent” expressing concern with the agency’s direction under the Trump Administration. In their letter, the Senators stress that employees have the legal right to speak out on matters of public concern in their personal capacities under the First Amendment, as affirmed by the Supreme Court. “We write to you with deep concerns regarding recent reporting that you placed more than 140 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) employees on administrative leave after they signed a ‘Declaration of Dissent’ on June 30, 2025. Federal employees are permitted to speak out on matters of public concern in their personal capacities

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Labor’s (IDOL) Division of Occupational Safety and Health (IL OSHA) has released a new fact sheet highlighting the top 20 safety violations identified during water and sewer department inspections conducted in recent years. IL OSHA inspects municipal water and sewer departments across the state to help ensure employees working in high-risk environments are protected from hazards that can lead to serious injury or death. The fact sheet provides a summary of the most frequently cited standards and offers corrective recommendations that municipal departments can use to improve workplace safety and health. Common violations cited in the latest fact sheet involve working in tight spaces, breathing safely, protection from moving machine parts, and making sure machines that are turned off stay off. “Many of these hazards can be mitigated with proper training, written procedures, and regular maintenance,” said IL OSHA Division

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ALTON - The Alton Police Department has announced preparations for Puddle of Mudd’s concert at the Alton Amphitheater this Saturday evening, Aug. 2, 2025. The rock band is scheduled to perform at 1 Riverfront Drive, Alton, with gates opening at 6 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase, with VIP admission priced at $80.50 and general admission at $42.75. Organizers advise attendees to secure valuables and lock vehicles to prevent theft during the event. The Alton Police Department outlined several venue rules that will be strictly enforced, including prohibitions on weapons, smoking or vaping in seating and lawn areas, outside food and beverages, pets, tailgating, loitering near vehicles, stage diving, crowd surfing, and alcohol consumption on public property outside the venue. Alton Police said officers and private security personnel will be present throughout the concert to maintain safety and order. The department encouraged concertgoers to prepare for an enjoyable

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GLEN CARBON — Several key initiatives led by State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) were officially signed into law today following the 2025 Spring Legislative Session. The measures address critical issues ranging from disability rights and public safety to fiscal responsibility and environmental accountability. “Each of these new laws represents common-sense reforms that put people first,” said Senator Harriss. “Whether it’s protecting vulnerable residents, simplifying government processes, or holding polluters accountable, I’m proud to see these efforts become law.” House Bill 57 updates the Essential Support Persons Act to include Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILAs) under the law’s protections. This change ensures that residents of CILAs have the same rights to receive essential visitors as those living in other state-regulated facilities. “This law guarantees that no resident is left isolated, and that

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SPRINGFIELD - Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed the following bills into law: Bill Number: HB0032 Description: Amends the Township Code. Permits a temporary deputy township supervisor to administer the township’s general assistance program and allows township parks and recreations departments to employ minors for youth sports activities. Action: Signed Effective: Immediately Bill Number: HB1715 Description: Repeals the statutory authority for the Department of Children and Family Services to appoint members of a police and security force. Action: Signed Effective: Immediately Bill Number: HB1754 Description: Creates the Tracking Infectious Cases Knowledgeably (TICK) Act, requiring DPH to provide educational materials and undertake a public awareness campaign on the tick-borne allergy, alpha-gal syndrome. Action: Signed Effective: Immediately Bill Number: B1806 Description: Prohibits licensed mental health professionals from using AI to make independent therapeutic

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today responded to official confirmation that the U.S. Department of Education has released previously withheld education funding to Illinois. Raoul joined a coalition in filing a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s abrupt and unlawful decision to freeze this funding earlier this month. “This announcement is a significant victory for students, families and school districts across Illinois,” Raoul said. “The Trump administration’s attempt to withhold funding already appropriated by Congress was illegal and reckless. The move caused unnecessary chaos for many families who depend on vital programs supported by that funding, as well as school districts that were faced with exploding budget deficits overnight. I will continue to stand with other attorneys general to hold this administration accountable when it threatens the separation of powers and the rule of law.” On June 30, the Trump administration

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