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CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker laid out the ongoing impact of Trump and Congressional Republicans’ budget bill, which defunds crucial support for working families in favor of tax cuts for Trump’s wealthy friends – including substantial programming cuts that eliminate education opportunities in America. The bill targets program funding, hurts working families with school-age children, and holds back student loan borrowers of all ages. “Since my first day as Governor, I’ve worked to make education across our state more affordable, more accessible, and more equitable—providing Illinois students with the opportunities needed to become the leaders of tomorrow,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This destructive bill is a major setback for students across the nation and will create further barriers to success for students at all levels—from kindergarten to grad school. Here in Illinois, we’ll do everything in our power to protect

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) grilled Donald Trump’s nominee to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Singapore, Dr. Anjani Sinha, at his confirmation hearing today, exposing how deeply unqualified he is for this critically important role. During the Senator’s line of questioning, Dr. Sinha failed to answer several basic, important questions, proving he doesn’t know the first thing about maintaining not only the U.S.-Singapore partnership, but any of our relationships with ASEAN nations. Duckworth’s remarks can be found on the Senator’s YouTube . “Dr. Sinha is deeply unprepared to effectively lead our nation’s mission in Singapore,” said Duckworth. “This is not a role you can pick up on a whim or because you might think it will be glamorous. Singapore is too important to the United States, ASEAN and the entire Indo-Pacific region for someone as unqualified as Dr. Sinha. His lack of understanding and preparedness

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ROXANA – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that intermittent lane closures will take place on Illinois 143 between Illinois 255 and Bender Road in Roxana beginning, weather permitting, Wednesday, July 16, 2025 for resurfacing work. Flaggers will maintain two-way traffic. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. The closures are expected to continue through mid-October. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com .

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WOOD RIVER - The National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern Illinois (NAMI SWI) will open an office in Wood River at Riverbend Family Ministries. Located at 144 E. Ferguson Avenue in Wood River, Riverbend Family Ministries houses several nonprofits. NAMI SWI will be their newest nonprofit, with plans to move into the building on July 21, 2025. “That connection, that community — this is amplifying that,” said Kaleigh Peery with NAMI SWI. “Actually, it’s a huge deal.” NAMI SWI offers resources and support to community members who are experiencing mental health challenges. They host several support groups, give presentations, and offer peer counseling services out of their current location in Granite City. Peery expressed her excitement to move into Riverbend Family Ministries (RFM) and collaborate with the other organizations within the building. She said RFM has donated the space to NAMI SWI, and she looks forward to working with th

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is taking action to prevent the national spread of measles in Illinois. A total of eight measles cases, all linked to one another, were identified in Southern Illinois in April and May. In addition to the eight Southern Illinois cases, two additional, unrelated cases were identified in Cook County around the same time. Those did not constitute an outbreak, and there was no further indication of any additional spread beyond those two individuals. No new Illinois cases have been diagnosed since May 22nd; two full incubation periods (42 days) have elapsed since the last confirmed case, allowing the Department to declare the outbreak over. The Illinois measles cases came as the nation is facing the largest number of cases nationwide since measles was officially eliminated from the U.S. in 2000. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have reported the highest number of annual cases across the nation

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COLLINSVILLE - The Collinsville Police Department hosted a Motorcycle Reconstruction course this week, providing advanced training to law enforcement officers and private sector investigators from Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin. The course, offered by the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, focused on enhancing skills for investigating serious and fatal motorcycle crashes. The training took place at Fairmount Park Casino & Racing, whose facility was used for the sessions. Participants learned advanced concepts and materials aimed at improving the effectiveness of crash investigations, which require specialized knowledge and resources. Collinsville Police Department expressed gratitude to the course instructor, Andrew Thomas, as well as to Sgt. Jerrod Leckrone of the Illinois State Police Motorcycle Division for their support. The Collinsville Police also acknowledged the students who attended, emphasizing the value of such training in benefiting

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EDWARDSVILLE – Last weekend marked an exciting milestone for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville as some of the newest Cougars move onto campus for the 2025 Summer Success Program (SSP) . “The five-week residential initiative is designed to help incoming first-year students make a smooth transition from high school to college,” said SSP Director Kelly Atkins, EdD. “Through academic enrichment, community building, and intentional mentoring, the program is one of SIUE’s key efforts to promote student success and retention.” The program runs July 5-Aug. 8. “The Summer Success Program not only prepares students for the rigors of college coursework, but it also introduces them to the core values that shape the SIUE experience,” added Atkins. “From hands-on workshops in time management and writing skills to service projects in the Metro East community, participants are immersed in the University’s commitment to Civic

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WICHITA, KAN.- More than 1,950 students completed a total of 2,122 degrees and certificates at Wichita State University in spring 2025. Jerseyville's Jessi L Ruyle received a Bachelor of Science, Dental Hygiene-Completion. The breakdown of degrees and certificates granted includes: Undergraduate: 1,430 degrees and certificates for 1,340 undergraduate students Graduate: 692 degrees and certificates for 611 graduate students About Wichita State University Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 23,000 students between its main campus and WSU Tech, including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is taking action to prevent the national spread of measles in Illinois. A total of eight measles cases, all linked to one another, were identified in Southern Illinois in April and May. In addition to the eight Southern Illinois cases, two additional, unrelated cases were identified in Cook County around the same time. Those did not constitute an outbreak, and there was no further indication of any additional spread beyond those two individuals. No new Illinois cases have been diagnosed since May 22nd; two full incubation periods (42 days) have elapsed since the last confirmed case, allowing the Department to declare the outbreak over. The Illinois measles cases came as the nation is facing the largest number of cases nationwide since measles was officially eliminated from the U.S. in 2000. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have reported the highest number of annual cases across the nation

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CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker issued the following statement in response to State Farm’s decision to increase homeowners' insurance rates in Illinois: “I am deeply concerned by State Farm’s unfair and arbitrary insurance rate hike on Illinois homeowners. “These increases are predicated on catastrophe loss numbers that are entirely inconsistent with the Illinois Department of Insurance’s own analysis – indicating that State Farm is shifting out-of-state costs onto the homeowners in our state. Hard-working Illinoisans should not be paying more to protect beach houses in Florida. “In addition to increased premiums, State Farm intends to raise out-of-pocket deductibles and reduce payouts for certain claims. In total, these changes will cost Illinois homeowners hundreds of additional dollars per year without a state-based justification or corresponding increases in protection. “Over the past six years, our state economy has

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ST. LOUIS – The City of St. Louis is inviting residents and community stakeholders to two upcoming open house events and a bike network workshop to celebrate the completion of the Transportation & Mobility Plan draft. These family-friendly open houses offer residents the opportunity to view the main elements of the draft plan while enjoying free shaved ice and lawn games. Community members are encouraged to drop by at any time with their families to participate. “Improving how we design and maintain our transportation infrastructure is crucial for building a better future for St. Louis,” said Mayor Cara Spencer. “I’m excited to see this plan nearing completion, and I look forward to putting it to work. Thank you to everyone involved in this project, and especially to the community members who shared their ideas.” Open House Details: Wednesday, July 16 | 5 to 7 p.m. Piper Palm House, Tower Grove Park 4271 Northeast Drive Saturday, July 19

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CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and next-generation battery technology company Pure Lithium Corporation, today announced the company will relocate its entire operation from Boston to Chicago to support the company’s drive toward commercial production. Pure Lithium’s $46 million investment, bolstered by the Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois (REV Illinois) program, will enable the company to manufacture the first commercially viable lithium metal battery in Illinois, with plans to target the drone and defense, consumer electronics, grid-scale energy storage systems and electric vehicle markets, while supporting the state’s clean energy economy. “I am excited to welcome the team at Pure Lithium to our state, where they'll be an excellent addition to the business landscape and burgeoning clean energy ecosystem,” said Governor JB Pritzker. "Their investment will not only create

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and 10 of their colleagues in introducing legislation requiring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to display clearly visible identification during public-facing enforcement actions. The Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement (VISIBLE) Act of 2025 would strengthen oversight, transparency and accountability for the Trump Administration’s indiscriminate and alarming immigration enforcement tactics that have terrorized communities across the nation. “By sending masked officers without any sort of identification to detain nonviolent migrants, Donald Trump is proving once again that he’s more focused on sowing fear and distrust in our communities than actually making our country safer,” said Duckworth. “This deceptive practice shields federal agents from accountability and hurts public trust

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today led Senators in speeches on the Senate floor against President Trump’s $9.4 billion rescissions request to cut funding already appropriated by Congress—specifically the $1.1 billion cut to federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), including $700 million that provides critical funding for local public media. Should Republicans pass the President’s rescissions package, it would devastate more than 1,500 public radio and TV stations across the country. “Bottom line: do you think we’re better off with less information as Americans or more? Bottom line: do you want a choice to pick your own source of information, do you want that choice to include the Corporation for Public Broadcasting? The President says, ‘no, we’re not going to provide the assistance for that to continue.’ What mean for small towns in downstate Illinois all the way up to Chicago?

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation—voted against Bryan Bedford’s nomination to serve as FAA Administrator. Senate Republicans confirmed Bedford by a vote of 53-43. “At this critical moment for aviation safety, it is deeply disturbing that Senate Republicans just confirmed someone who refused to commit to upholding the 1,500-hour pilot training requirement. With a surge in near-misses, an air traffic controller shortage, aging air traffic control equipment and facilities—and in the wake of the first major deadly commercial crash in more than a decade, now is clearly not the time to weaken flight hour requirements for our nation’s aspiring airline pilots. “Incident after incident, it has been pilots who have made last second decisions to avert disaster. Well-trained pilots are our last line of defense, and I could not vote for a nominee who

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Learning when to say "no" and when to say "yes" is a powerful act of self-awareness. Setting boundaries isn’t about being selfish, it’s about making intentional choices that align with your values, energy, and goals. Saying "no" can protect your time and well-being, while saying "yes" at the right moments can open doors to growth and connection. Mastering this equilibrium is key to living a more balanced life. First, let’s talk burnout. Burnout is the state of emotional, mental, or physical exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. While there are several different factors that can lead to burnout, the lack of setting boundaries can be a primary factor for many people. Saying “no” is a key boundary-setting skill that can take time to develop. People-pleasing tendencies also tend to contribute to burnout. This may look like saying yes to or committing to things when you’re already at capacity in an effort not to disappoint others. Though saying

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EDWARDSVILLE - On Thursday, July 10, 2025, the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) students, faculty, staff and administrators hosted a Dentistry Day for student participants in the BESt Healthcare Institute 2025 Summer Program . The Institute, a four-week summer intensive for area high school students interested in healthcare careers, is a collaboration between Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Express Scripts, Inc. and Washington University in St. Louis. This is SIU SDM’s second year offering an immersive experience in dentistry, by presenting a full day of interactive presentations, panels, hands-on learning, lunch and a campus tour. Thirty high school students began their visit with a welcome from SIU SDM Dean Saulius Drukteinis, DMD, MS, PhD, accompanied by members of faculty, staff and SDM students who volunteered their time. "We were delighted to have the opportunity to expose high school seniors in the BESt Summer Health Care Institute program

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Lane closures on I-64 begin July 14 ST. CLAIR COUNTY - The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that lane closures will be in place on both directions of Interstate 64 between Illinois 159 and one mile east of West Highway 50 in St. Clair County beginning, weather permitting, Monday, July 14. Traffic will be reduced to two lanes in each direction. The closures mark the start of a multi-phase improvement project along the I-64 corridor from Illinois 157 to one mile east of West Highway 50. The $76.87 million project consists of milling and pavement resurfacing and various overhead bridge repairs. Work will be broken down into the following phases: Phase 1: Resurfacing I-64 in both directions between Illinois 159 and one mile east of West Highway 50. This work is expected to be completed in late fall 2025. Phase 2: Repairs to various overhead bridges within the project limits. Work is expected to begin in fall 2025 and be completed by summer 2026. Phase 3: Resurfacing

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ALTON - It’s a “one-stop shop” at the upcoming “Healthy Communities: Community Health and Resource Fair.” From 1–4 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2025, the community can stop by the YWCA in Alton to learn about a variety of resources across Madison County, from legal aid to mental health support to vision screenings. The event is sponsored by Centerstone and Birth to Five Illinois: Region 41. “This community is so amazing and kind of works together as a team,” said Jennifer Schulz with Centerstone. “Even though we’re a mental health and substance use treatment center, we’re also trying to help by bringing all of these resources together and just working together as one big resource for the community.” Schulz noted that it can be “ridiculously difficult” to find the time, transportation and childcare needed to visit the doctor or meet with local resources. She hopes the fair can serve as a “one-stop

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COLLINSVILLE - At this week’s City Council meeting in Collinsville, Abstracts & Titles Inc. presented the City of Collinsville Parks and Recreation with a $12,500 check to sponsor the In-Ground Merry-Go-Round for Glidden Park’s planned All Abilities Playground. The donation supports the development of an inclusive playground designed to accommodate children of all abilities. Lisa Engelke, vice president of Abstracts & Titles Inc., which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for the project at the council meeting. “We talked about it a lot, and I think everybody can kind of remember those days running down to the park, and jumping on the merry-go-round, spinning as fast as you can...that is not an experience that should have boundaries or limitations,” Engelke said during the presentation. She added that the company hopes to encourage others to support inclusive community initiatives. “We just hope to inspir

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