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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Arts Council (IAC) is pleased to announce the release of the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Creative Projects Grant (CPG) guidelines and application. The goal of CPG is to provide up to $12,000 to support art projects for Illinois artists, eligible not- for-profit organizations, municipal entities, or colleges and universities. CPG projects must culminate with a public release or presentation of the work accomplished during the grant period. “Illinois is already known across the globe as a hub of art and creativity, from our world-class museums and galleries to our many renowned artists and artistic organizations,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The Creative Projects Grant is an opportunity to further develop that creative ecosystem, support talented artists of all backgrounds, and enrich communities across the state. I want to encourage all eligible individuals and organizations to apply to make their artistic vision a reality.” “This

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WOOD RIVER - Riverbend Family Ministries acts as a cooling center during these hot months, but their staff works year-round to support community members. Located in Wood River, RFM is a “holistic hub” that brings together eight nonprofits under one roof. The organization primarily works with individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction, poverty or violence. “We always say that our families are so brave to walk through our door,” said founder Tammy Iskarous. “RFM has been busy helping to meet that need. We can't meet it all, but we can meet a big portion of it in this county.” Rachael Craddick, Development Director, noted there are a lot of benefits to having so many resources under one roof. Clients can share their stories with staff members and receive the assistance they need. “There’s a wide variety of resources right there in the building that they can access,” Craddick said. “Sometimes it’s just

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Did you know that nearly 80 million Americans celebrate the 4th of July each year with parties, barbecues, and fireworks? This monumental display of patriotism and festivity often brings families and friends together, but hosting a memorable and smooth 4th of July party requires more than just sparklers and burgers. Whether you’re a seasoned host or planning your first Independence Day gathering, there are key strategies to ensure your celebration is enjoyable, safe, and truly unforgettable. Crafting the Perfect Invitation and Guest List The foundation of any successful party starts with thoughtful planning of who to invite and how to invite them. For a 4th of July event, consider the atmosphere you want to create—whether it’s a casual backyard barbecue or a more formal evening gathering. Tip: Use digital invitations to manage RSVPs efficiently. Platforms like Evite or Paperless Post can add a patriotic theme to your invites, setting the tone from the outset.

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July 2 stands out as a pivotal day in history, marked by momentous events that have shaped nations, cultures, and the course of humanity. 1776 – The Birth of American Independence On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress officially voted to declare the thirteen American colonies independent from British rule. Spearheaded by figures like John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the resolution for independence was passed, signaling the start of a revolutionary era. Although the Declaration of Independence would be publicly announced two days later, July 2 remains the actual date the colonies severed their ties with Britain. This watershed moment in history not only birthed the United States but also sent ripples across the world, inspiring democratic ideals and the pursuit of self-governance. John Adams famously believed that July 2 would be celebrated as a great American holiday, even more so than July 4. 1494 – Treaty of Tordesillas Divides the New World Fast forward

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ALTON - The Alton Municipal Band continues its 135th season of Concerts in the Parks with its annual Star Spangled Spectacular, celebrating Independence Day with music and community. The concerts, featuring vocal soloist David Guebert, will feature patriotic tunes of all kinds, including famous marches by John Philip Sousa, new patriotic songs by Mark Brymer, and the always popular salute to those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Held surrounding the Independence Day holiday, the concerts are the perfect way for families to mark the special weekend. Thursday evening, at Riverview Park, the band plays overlooking the Mississippi River at 7:30 PM. The concert will repeat on Sunday at 7 PM, in front of the historic Lucy Haskell Playhouse. Kona Ice will be present at the Sunday concert, selling spar-spangled snow cones for all in attendance. Alton Municipal Band concerts are free and open to the public. Community members are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs

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GODFREY – The Village of Godfrey has become the first and only Riverbend municipality not to replace the state’s expiring 1% sales tax on groceries. Instead, Mayor Mike McCormick cast a tie-breaking vote to raise the village’s sales tax by 0.75%. An ordinance to raise the sales tax in Godfrey was originally set for a first reading on Tuesday before trustees called for a suspension of the rules, bringing it to an immediate final vote. After significant discussion and debate, Village Board members voted their way into a 3-3 tie, with McCormick casting the tie-breaking vote in favor. Raising the sales tax was first proposed by Village Engineer Rich Beran , who pitched it as an alternative to replacing the state’s 1% sales tax on groceries like many other local municipalities. His proposal aimed to ease grocery costs for residents by effectively lowering the sales tax rate on groceries from the current 1%, while boosting tax revenue from visitors by raising

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BATCHTOWN — Calhoun Sheriff's Office executed a court-authorized search warrant in Batchtown, and it led to arrests. On the morning of March 10, 2025, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the West-Central Illinois Drug Task Force, Pike County Sheriff’s Department, and Illinois Conservation Police, executed a court-authorized search warrant at a residence in the 500 block of Beech Landing Road in Batchtown, Calhoun County. At approximately 9:35 a.m., law enforcement officers seized illegal substances, drug paraphernalia, and firearm ammunition during the search. Following the operation, four individuals were arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine (less than five grams) and possession of drug paraphernalia. The suspects include Stephen H. Marciniak, 55, of Batchtown; Terri D. Marciniak, 53, of Batchtown; Stephen H. Marciniak, 32, of Bloomington; and Dustin A. Seidler, 41, of Batchtown. Note: For clarity's sake, Chief Deputy

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KAMPSVILLE — A Pearl man faces various charges after a traffic stop on Highway 96 in Kampsville. At 11:22 p.m. on March 12, 2025, law enforcement officials with the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop on Illinois State Highway 96 in Kampsville, Calhoun County. During the stop, Christopher A. Bournais, 44, of Pearl, Illinois, was arrested following an investigation. Bournais faces charges of possession of methamphetamine (less than 5 grams), driving while suspended or revoked, and operating an uninsured vehicle. He was taken into custody without incident and subsequently released with a Notice to Appear at a later date at the Calhoun County Courthouse. Authorities emphasized that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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BRUSSELS — A Jerseyville man faces multiple charges following a traffic stop on Illinois River Road near the Brussels Ferry in Calhoun County. At approximately 3:06 a.m. on April 17, 2025, a deputy with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office stopped Darin L. Day, 44, for an unspecified reason. After an investigation, Day was taken into custody on charges of possession of methamphetamine (less than five grams), driving while suspended, and operating an uninsured vehicle. Day was arrested without incident and later released with a Notice to Appear at the Calhoun County Courthouse. Authorities have not provided further details regarding the circumstances leading to the stop. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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ST. LOUIS, MO. – The City of St. Louis has launched new recovery programs to assist residents impacted by the May 16 tornado. These programs address urgent repair needs, provide trusted technical guidance, and protect homeowners from fraud or further damage. Four initiatives are underway: Emergency Stabilization, Electricity Reconnection, Ask an Architect and the Contractor Registry. Emergency Stabilization Program The Emergency Stabilization Program provides immediate weatherization to prevent further damage, including roof tarping, boarding windows and doors, hazardous tree removal, and moving debris to the right-of-way. The program is free to eligible residents in tornado-impacted areas, with priority given to seniors, uninsured households and homes in Zones A-C. Work is completed by licensed and insured contractors. Electricity Reconnection Program Hundreds of homes remain without power due to structural damage. The Electrical Reconnection Program provides free

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College students will soon be home for summer break. They’re embarking on their independent phase, so opening up about mental health to their parents might not top the summer to-do list. It can leave parents wondering: How did the school year go? Did they make friends? Are they doing OK mentally? Rachel Brown, LCPC, a psychotherapist at OSF HealthCare, says there are dos and don’ts to get the most out of a conversation with a young adult. S chool stress Brown says going off to college is a huge transition. The student may miss home. They may have trouble being accountable with no 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. structure they had in high school. Making friends can also be difficult. Brown says college students may be stressed and scared to branch out and meet people. “They might be anxious or get into a rut of depression. They might isolate. They might sleep too much or not sleep at all,” Brown says. Warning signs Brown says parents should watch for drastic changes

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PEORIA — Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined Attorney General Kwame Raoul, healthcare advocates, independent pharmacists, and legislators to sign into law the Prescription Drug Affordability Act (HB 1697) and the Healthcare Protection Expansion Act (HB 3019), which will lower prescription drug costs and expand healthcare access, respectively. These reforms deliver on Gov. Pritzker’s healthcare initiatives outlined earlier this year and build on his commitment to improving affordability and access in Illinois’ healthcare system. “For too long, our healthcare system has been infected by profit-seeking middlemen and predatory actors looking to make an extra dime at the expense of Illinois patients ,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “ Affordability is our watchword in Illinois, and the bills I signed today are another step toward quality and affordable healthcare for all by lowering costs for families and providing transformational relief to those who need

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JERSEYVILLE – The wait is nearly over as a highly anticipated splash pad nears its opening day in Jerseyville’s Wittman Park. The Jerseyville Parks and Recreation Department announced Tuesday afternoon that the Wittman Park Splash Pad will officially open on Monday, July 7, 2025. The new kid-friendly water installation will be open every day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission to the splash pad is free, and concessions will be available for purchase with cash only. While there will be no lifeguard on duty, the department said there will be a front desk with management staff available for customer service needs. The Parks Department is allowing the public to bring their own chairs for the pool deck area amid delayed deliveries of the site’s final pool chairs. However, visitors are asked to keep their chairs off the “Splash Zone,” which is the soft, tiled area colored in multiple shades of blue directly surrounding the water features. If the splash

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Police Department has released the identification of the victim involved in the fatal vehicle-motorcycle collision at the intersection of Troy Road and Goshen Road in Edwardsville on the evening of Monday, June 23, 2025. The Edwardsville Police Department has identified the deceased victim as Matthew A. Marshall, 29, from Glen Carbon. The Edwardsville Police Department responded to the crash scene at approximately 7 p.m. on June 23, 2025. Preliminary investigations revealed that a 2014 silver Ford Focus was turning left from Center Grove Road onto Troy Road when it struck a 2015 black Yamaha YZF-R6 motorcycle traveling westbound through the intersection. Marshall, the sole rider of the motorcycle, was pronounced dead at the scene by staff from the Madison County Coroner’s Office. The Illinois State Police were called in to conduct a technical crash reconstruction, while the Edwardsville Police Department continues the overall investigation. Edwardsville

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TROY, Ill. — The body of a woman found in a field near the intersection of Lebanon and Troy O’Fallon Road on July 20, 1990, has been identified as Wynona Nadine Michel, nearly 35 years after her death. Madison County Sheriff’s Office detectives initially responded to the scene, treating the case as a homicide. Investigators determined the woman had been deceased for about a week before being discovered by a farmer. Hundreds of hours were spent on the investigation and numerous leads pursued, but the case remained unsolved and the victim unidentified for more than three decades. In late 2024, advances in forensic science prompted a renewed examination of evidence. Detectives collaborated with the Illinois State Crime Lab and the forensic company Othram to process the evidence further. Additional interviews were conducted, leading to the identification of Michel, a white female born on Aug. 23, 1959. Michel was 30 years old when she was killed in the summer of 1990.

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RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Mo. — A 44-year-old woman from Alton, died early Tuesday morning, July 1, 2025, after her vehicle went off the road along Interstate 64, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The woman was driving a Honda CR-V westbound on I-64 near Big Bend Boulevard at approximately 12:40 a.m. when her vehicle left the right side of the roadway and struck a guardrail, MSHP reported. She was transported to Barnes-Jewish Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. The crash report indicated that the woman was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the incident. The name has not been released at this time.

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GODFREY - Eight months ago, Chad Ingram decided to break a record. The legally blind Godfrey man figured he’d teach his daughters how to crochet after his wife bought crochet supplies for herself seven years ago. None of his family members ever took to it, but Ingram taught himself through YouTube videos and discovered a new passion for the craft. Now, after countless blankets, hats and pillows that he has donated or gifted, he decided to do something solely for himself and crochet the world’s largest granny square. “I told my wife, I said, I really just want to do something for myself,” he remembered. “It's kind of a joke. I thought it was doable, though, and I’m retired. I looked in the record book. It sounds big. The record was 36 feet by 36 feet. It took the original guy two and a half years. But I thought I could probably do that. And I just set out and crocheted.” Since October 2024, Ingram has averaged about four hours a day

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after Senate Republicans jammed through their One Big Beautiful Bill Act , selling out America’s middle class for billionaires’ tax cuts: “By passing this monstrosity of a bill, Donald Trump and Republicans are proving they are intent on becoming the party of ‘well, we’re all going to die.’ “This Big, Beautiful Betrayal does not make America stronger, better or safer. It lights trillions of taxpayer dollars on fire to explode our debt and line the pockets of Donald Trump, his family and his billionaire friends. More than half a million Illinoisans will lose health coverage and hospitals, health clinics and nursing homes across the country will shut down. Adding insult to injury, the legion of middle-class and working-class Americans who lose their livelihoods will be unable to receive safety net support precisely because of the Republicans who voted

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CHICAGO – As Illinoisans prepare to celebrate Independence Day through local parades and festivities, Attorney General Kwame Raoul today released guidance to state and local law enforcement about their responsibilities under the Drones as First Responders Act. The guidance is available on the Attorney General’s website to help Illinois law enforcement understand their obligations under state law while ensuring public safety. “Drones are a powerful tool for law enforcement, allowing police to effectively monitor and manage large events, such as parades and festivals, that will be happening around the state this week and throughout the summer,” Raoul said. “Illinois law empowers police to use this tool, while also protecting Illinois residents’ privacy and First Amendment rights.” Attorney General Raoul published this guidance to ensure that law enforcement agencies are aware of the permissible and impermissible uses of drones. Generally,

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SPRINGFIELD - With the close of fiscal year 2025 on June 30, Illinois Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza reports another successful year in paying the state’s bills in a timely manner while the state’s Rainy Day Fund balance has again increased to new records. For the fourth consecutive year, the Illinois Office of Comptroller (IOC) released all pending bills to vendors from the state’s General Revenue Fund (GRF), while reporting an end-of-year GRF cash balance of $1.9 billion. This means the IOC is current on all bills received related to Medicaid, the state’s Group Health Insurance program, elementary and high schools, higher education, and other government operations and programs. “Working with Governor Pritzker and the General Assembly, we have positioned the state in the most fiscally stable position we can, given the uncertainties of federal funding in the months to come,” Comptroller Mendoza said. “While we keep a close watch on the latest

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