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SPRINGFIELD – Today, Illinois Central Management Services (CMS) announced that the State of Illinois has achieved historic outcomes in building up its workforce, increasing the total employee count from 50,544 in 2019 to 55,340 in 2025 – the highest number of state employees since 2008, which was 55,237 employees. These gains are driven by hiring at agencies that have historically faced challenges filling positions and that directly provide support to vulnerable Illinoisans. This includes a 44% increase in staffing at the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) and a 15% increase in direct care worker roles at the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Formerly a manual, paper-driven process plagued by outdated grading systems, the State’s hiring has undergone a transformative modernization since 2019, resulting in a more efficient and streamlined process today. "These milestones are a testament to the dedication and commitment of CMS, which has embraced

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) helped U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and U.S. Representative Grace Meng (D-NY-06) introduce a bicameral and bipartisan resolution to mark May 2025 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. The resolution recognizes the significant contributions that Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities have made to this country. “No matter what anyone says, AANHPI stories are the American story—from our struggles to our triumphs, our diversity has always made our nation stronger,” said Duckworth. “Every Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is an opportunity to honor the trailblazers who came before us, uplift diverse stories and celebrate our community as we continue to forge that path toward a better tomorrow where the American Dream remains within reach for

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Summer means outdoor activities and a reminder to watch for suspicious moles, a possible sign of skin cancer. But doctors say skin lesions come in many forms, and you should know when to get an expert opinion. What is and isn’t a skin lesion? Raman Kumar, MD , a colorectal and general surgeon at OSF HealthCare, has your checklist: YES: moles, blisters, bumps, acne, boils, peeling skin from a sunburn, rashes, poison ivy or similar skin reactions, warts, skin tags and bug bites YES, BUT: Dr. Kumar says freckles and birthmarks are lesions, but they are not harmful. In other words: “A skin lesion is any type of abnormal growth. It can happen anywhere on the body. If it doesn’t look like normal skin, it’s considered a growth,” Dr. Kumar says. Causes for each of these lesions vary. We know acne is due to bacteria, and warts are from a virus, for example. Medications, lifestyle choices (like eating certain food that doesn’t agree with you) and medical

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CHICAGO - In mid-May, the Trump Administration, through U.S. Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), terminated the Digital Equity Capacity Program. In Illinois, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO) was in the process of implementing a Digital Equity Capacity Grant under this Program. This grant would have provided more than $23.7 million to Illinois organizations across the state to equip households and residents with the skills, resources, and tools needed to use high-speed internet and fully participate in Illinois’ economy. “The internet is a key to our economy. In Illinois, we need to make sure our many rural areas have the tools they need to access the internet and the doorways it opens for jobs, education, and telemedicine,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “Instead of enabling more people to participate in our economy, Donald Trump is turning his back on rural

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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Earning a spot on Drury University's Dean's List is a significant accomplishment. The recognition means a student earned a grade point average of 3.6 or greater (on a 4-point scale) while carrying a full-time course load of 12 or more semester hours at Drury, a top Midwestern university, according to US News & World Report and The Princeton Review. In the spring semester, the following student(s) made the day school Dean's list: Established in 1873, Drury University stands as the first higher education institution in Springfield, MO. A private, church related institution, Drury exemplifies a strong spirit of community, passionate about student success. HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME, HIGH SCHOOL East Alton, IL Hannah Ritter, Metro East Lutheran HS Edwardsville, IL Connor Bain, Triad High School Max Conrey, Edwardsville Senior HS Tyler Frolik, Edwardsville Senior HS Godfrey, IL Wes Laaker, Alton High School Jerseyville, IL Jeremy Vanost, Jersey

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CARLINVILLE - The first-ever chess tournament at the Carlinville Public Library was a big success, as twenty-three players matched wits in friendly competition on Monday evening, May 12. Tournament coordinator Luke Aikin, a sixth-grade student at Carlinville Middle School, was pleased with the response. “I was very excited on how many people showed up to the event,” said Aikin. “I think everyone had a good time, which I was very grateful for. My main goal was for everyone to enjoy themselves, and to want to keep playing chess.” Winners from the tournament were Howie Wu, Parker Ashby, Mallory Bendorf, and H.P. Summer. Prizes were sponsored by Aikin and his family. The success of the first tournament may lead to more tournaments in the future. “We had participants ask when the next tournament will be,” said Hannah Miller, the director of the Carlinville library. “I think everyone had a great time. Kudos goes to Luke, who did an excellent

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ST. LOUIS, MO. — The American Red Cross has opened shelters for individuals and families affected by the severe storms and tornadoes that hit St. Louis and Sikeston today (Friday). The shelter locations are: St. Louis: · Grace United Methodist Church, 6199 Waterman Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63112 · Friendly Temple Outreach Center, 6356 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, St. Louis, MO 63133 Sikeston: · City of Miner Convention Center, 2610 E Malone Avenue, Sikeston, MO 63801 Identification and/or proof of residency is NOT required to be admitted to a Red Cross shelter. American Red Cross services are free and available to all regardless of race, religious beliefs, nationality, or citizenship status. The role of the Red Cross in any disaster is to focus on addressing the immediate needs of those affected. The Red Cross is coordinating with community, government, and emergency management officials to determine assistance needed. How to help:

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EDWARDSVILLE - Messages of girl power, positive self-esteem, healthy body image, community activism and more were packaged in sparkly, eye-catching motion and decorative costuming during the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts’ (ESLCPA) 2025 Spring Dance Recital. Students took to the stage at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15 in the Multipurpose Room of Building D of the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Center. Social justice was the theme of the dance recital. “Social justice is very important and was part of Miss Katherine Dunham’s philosophy,” said Ta’Shayla Montgomery , ESLCPA Dunham and ballet dance instructor. “At the end of last year, the students were very discouraged, and we talked about what they could do. They decided they wanted to do a dance project about social justice.” Led by ESCLPA alumni and the choreography dynamic, sister-duo of Montgomery and lyrical jazz dance instructor

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EDWARDSVILLE - Marley Fox, a versatile softball player for Edwardsville High School, is enjoying a good season, both in the field and inside the circle, and is the kind of player who can help the Tigers go a long way in the upcoming postseason. For the season, she's hit near .400 and also been impressive on the mound. In a recent postgame interview that followed the win over Collinsville, Fox felt that she threw well and credited (Kylie) Lintker for helping to set the table for her. "I'm really excited with how things are looking," Fox said. "We've been seeing a lot of slower pitching, so seeing that Calhoun girl (Audrey Gilman) really helped us out with getting our timing back." Fox is a Spencer Homes Female Athlete of the Month for the Tigers. The goals and aspirations for the remainder of the campaign for both Fox and the Tigers are pretty much one and the same. "I think that we can really just improve as a team all together," Fox said, "with our team chemistry. We all get

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EDWARDSVILLE - Joe Chiarodo is one of the best players on the Edwardsville High baseball team, perhaps in the Southwestern Conference and the state of Illinois, and in two separate games this past week, he showed why. In the final game of the 17th Tiger Classic on May 10 against Teutopolis, Chiarodo had a hit and RBI in a 5-4 loss to the Wooden Shoes, but two days later, in a key conference game against Belleville East at home, he retired the first 16 batters he faced, finishing up with a two-hit shutout in winning over the Lancers 7-0. Joe is a Spencer Homes Male Athlete of the Month for Edwardsville. For the season, he's hitting .519 with six homers and 39 RBIs, among the team leaders in all three categories, and on the mound, Chiarodo had used a variety of pitches to forge a 4-2 record, starting eight games, and has allowed 16 runs, 13 earned, on 26 hits for an ERA of 2.79. He's also walked six and struck out 36 batters in helping the Tigers to a 19-8 record with seven game

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WOOD RIVER - Von Dell Art Gallery has displayed artwork by local kids in an art therapy program. The Arts in Residential and Therapeutic Settings with Youth (ARTSY) program provides art therapy to kids in St. Louis and the Metro East region. The program’s participants will showcase their work at Von Dell Art Gallery through May 29, 2025. “I think it really creates a unique community,” said Laura with ARTSY. “It really brings the community together, which I think is really cool. It also provides some normalization of, hey, other kids are also doing art therapy in different places.” The public is welcome to check out the art during the gallery’s open hours, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, until May 29. There are 98 artists featured in the gallery through the ARTSY program. ARTSY is sponsored by the Missouri Art Therapy Association. Laura explained that art therapy is a therapeutic technique that encourages participants

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EAST ST. LOUIS — A federal judge sentenced Cierra S. Whitley, 36, of East St. Louis, to 11 years in prison Tuesday for possessing a stolen firearm used to threaten a victim during a double homicide investigation. Whitley pleaded guilty in January to one count of felon in possession of a firearm. Following her prison term, she will serve three years of supervised release. The sentencing stems from an Illinois State Police Public Safety Enforcement Group (PSEG) investigation into a double homicide that occurred in East St. Louis between Aug. 11 and 12, 2023. Authorities seized a 9mm firearm used to kill both victims. During interviews, Whitley admitted to possessing the firearm as a convicted felon and brandishing it to threaten one of the victims. “PSEG’s double homicide investigation led to Cierra Whitley’s conviction for possessing the stolen firearm that was used to murder two people,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Her 11-year

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O'FALLON, IL. - The O’Fallon Police Department is investigating a suspected homicide that occurred Sunday, May 18, 2025, at the Goshen Trailhead parking lot on Kyle Road. A 17-year-old female was fatally shot, and an 18-year-old male is currently in custody in connection with the incident, O'Fallon Police said Monday morning, May 19, 2025. Authorities say the victim and the suspect were known to each other, and police are not searching for any additional suspects. The O’Fallon Police Department described the incident as not random. Detectives are continuing their investigation and plan to present the case to the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s office on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, for possible charges. Out of respect for the family, the O'Fallon Police Department has not released the victim’s name. Police are asking anyone who was in the area of the Goshen Trailhead parking lot between 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Sunday to come forward with information.

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ST. LOUIS — City of St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer said every single building in the city has been checked for loss of life by the St. Louis Fire Department and the assistance of other first responders. "We are so grateful for their tireless work," Spencer added. An EF3 tornado confirmed by the National Weather Service swept through the St. Louis region, damaging more than 5,000 buildings on Friday, May 16, 2025, killing at least five people and injuring 38 others, Mayor Spencer said over the weekend. The tornado, with wind speeds estimated between 136 mph and 165 mph, prompted an extensive emergency response. Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe activated the State Emergency Management Agency and deployed fire search-and-rescue teams, with the Federal Emergency Management Agency standing by to assist. As the City of St. Louis transitions from immediate emergency response to recovery efforts, Spencer emphasized the need for community support. “The city is still building a volunteer

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O'FALLON - O’Fallon Police are investigating a homicide that occurred on Sunday, May 18, 2025, in the 300 block of Kyle Road. Authorities reported that the suspect, who is known to the victim, is currently in custody. The department emphasized that there is no danger to the public at this time. Additional details will be released as the investigation continues.

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ST. LOUIS – A tornado with peak winds reaching 150 mph struck the City of St. Louis on Friday afternoon, May 16, 2025, causing significant damage and casualties, according to a preliminary assessment by the National Weather Service. The NWS said the EF-3 tornado touched down near Clayton, Mo., at approximately 2:41 p.m. on Friday and intensified as it moved through northern St. Louis neighborhoods. The National Weather Service reported that EF-3 tornadoes typically produce wind speeds between 136 and 165 mph, with this storm reaching up to 152 mph in some areas. NWS said after crossing the Mississippi River, the tornado continued northeast into Illinois, passing through Venice, Granite City, and Pontoon Beach before dissipating near the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus. St. Louis city officials confirmed that at least five people have died and 38 others sustained injuries as a result of the storm. Damage assessments estimate that roughly 5,000 homes in St.

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ST. LOUIS – In response to the severe storms and tornadoes affecting the bi-state region, United Way of Greater St. Louis (UWGSL) is reminding residents in need of support to contact 211 Powered by United Way of Greater St. Louis . Individuals and families seeking assistance can visit 211helps.org to complete a disaster relief form or those without internet access, 211 can be reached by simply dialing 211 . 211 is a public information tool designed to connect individuals to available services and resources. Critical information from our trusted partners who provide services, and as new information and resources become available, 211 is here to help connect people to those services 24/7. Our goal is to ensure that individuals can access the available support they need throughout our community. Individuals needing support can call 211 or go to 211helps.org . About United Way of Greater St. Louis United Way of Greater St. Louis unites people, resources, and fundin

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GODFREY - A local outdoors sports store will host their first Bluff City Outdoors Fest. Bluff City Outdoors, an Alton-based shop that specializes in fishing, archery and trapping, invites community members to their festival from May 30 to June 1, 2025, at the Alton-Godfrey Sportsmen’s Club in Godfrey. Attendees can enjoy trapping seminars, a 3D archery shoot, a kids fishing derby, a memorial catfish tournament and more. “It’s our inaugural event,” said organizer Mark McMurray. “We decided to pull the trigger and get it done.” From Friday, May 30 to Sunday, June 1, 2025, attendees can shoot the 3D archery course for $15. On Friday, the course will be open from 1–5 p.m., followed by 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. Most of the fest’s activities will take place on Saturday, May 31, 2025. The kids fishing derby runs from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., with prizes for biggest fish, smallest fish, and other winners.

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ALTON – Alton High School has officially released the full list of graduates from the AHS Class of 2025. This year’s graduating class includes 404 students in total: Emma Alemond Gabriel Allen Molly Allen Audrey Alm Gage Anderson Michael Anderson Ta'Riah Anthony Edgar Anzaldo Meyonna Banks Amiyah Barbee John Barnard Ra'Shakeyla Barnes Antwan Baskin, Jr. Chloe Baze Madelyn Bearley Blake Beck William Beiser, V Jamison Belcher Adeline Bemis Chad Betlach Jayden Bierman Travis Billups, Jr. Elizabeth Blackmon Connor Bockholdt Ava Boley Tionne Bostic Julia Bounds Eli Bowers Elise Boyd Charles Brake Terry Brandon, Jr. Logan Branham Eric Braundmeier Carsen Bristow Silas Brooks Christian Brown Connor Brown Dakota Brown Ryshawn Brown NeVaeh Bryant Julianna Buchanan Tayden Buchanan Kameron Burnett Jesse Burnett, II Nolan Buss Keyser Butler Madison Calame Ayden Calvert Braxton Campbell Jocelyn Carrington Emily Carter Jayda Carter Isa

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COLLINSVILLE – The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) announced the conditional award of more than $50 million in state and federal funding to spur the development of permanent supportive housing throughout Illinois. These critical investments will enable the construction or rehabilitation of seven developments, creating 129 units of affordable housing integrated with comprehensive services to help vulnerable individuals and families attain stable housing. Awardees were selected after a competitive application and review process and approved by IHDA’s Board. “Today, my administration is reaffirming its commitment to housing equity by awarding $50 million to seven permanent supportive housing developments across the state,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Our critical investment will not only help Illinois’ most vulnerable residents achieve long-term housing stability, but it will also inspire hope by allowing people, regardless of illness

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