CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a $500,000 settlement with Rushmore Energy that resolves allegations the alternative retail electric supplier (ARES) engaged in fraudulent, unfair and deceptive business practices to mislead Illinois consumers into paying more for electricity than consumers who stayed with their default public utility. Once approved by the court, the consent order will require Rushmore Energy to pay restitution to eligible Illinois customers who received
COLLINSVILLE - The Collinsville Police Department is urging residents in Collinsville, Illinois, to take steps to protect their property as warmer weather increases property crimes and vehicle break-ins across the community. The same principles explained by the Collinsville Police Department apply everywhere throughout the area. In a community safety reminder, the Collinsville department said it is seeing an “uptick in property crimes and vehicle break-ins” and said
EDWARDSVILLE – A domestic battery convict accused of an unprovoked vehicular invasion and attack on two people in the Edwardsville Dairy Queen parking lot faces his latest felony charges in Madison County. Curtis Johnson Jr., 34, of Collinsville, was charged on June 2, 2026 with a Class 1 felony count of vehicular invasion, two Class 3 felony counts of aggravated battery, and a Class 4 felony count of domestic battery, his second or subsequent offense. Johnson allegedly knowingly entered
ALTON – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that lane closures on Illinois 255 between Seminary Road and the Illinois 255/U.S. 67 split north of Godfrey in Madison County will begin Monday, June 8, weather permitting. One lane will remain open in each direction. The closures are necessary for pavement resurfacing. The project is expected to be completed by the end of October. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, obey all construction signage, and refrain from
EDWARDSVILLE – The City of Edwardsville is jump-starting its Route 66 centennial celebration this month with a week’s worth of fun activities for all ages, including concerts, a movie under the stars, a pickleball tournament, a 10K race, a visit by Lightning McQueen of “Cars” fame and, of course, the extravaganza that is the Edwardsville Route 66 Festival on Saturday, June 13. And it’s just the beginning, with additional concerts, a movie premiere and speakers planne
SPRINGFIELD - The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced today the recipients of the 2026 Small Equipment Grant Program. A total of $6 million was awarded to 260 fire departments/districts and EMS providers across the state. The program was established to provide grants of up to $26,000 each for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment. “It is essential that our first responders have the funding and equipment they need to serve their communities,”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – After U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) last week called for immediate Inspector General (IG) oversight of Donald Trump’s costly, illegal war against Iran, the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DoD OIG) announced that it will serve as lead IG for Operation Epic Fury, following designation by the Chair of the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE). In her letter to CIGIE Chair Cheryl Mason last week Friday, Duckworth
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) is reminding employers and workers that the Family Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Act ( PA 104-259 v) took effect June 1, 2026. The law provides eligible employees with unpaid, job-protected leave when their child is admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Under the law: Employers with 16 to 50 employees must provide up to 10 days of unpaid leave. Employers with 51 or more employees must provide up to 20 days of unpaid
ALTON - Alton High School students and the Hayner Public Library District have collaborated to publish a new book. “Get Outside! A Survey of Alton Area Parks Past and Present” was researched and written by Reneé B. Johnson with Hayner’s Genealogy and Local History Library. Lexa Browning-Needham, the project supervisor and graphic communications teacher at Alton High School, worked with her Graphic Design Club students to compile photography, complete the layout, an
Some of the oldest monuments on Earth work like giant calendars. That fact changes how many ancient sites look once you know what to watch for. A ring of stones, a temple doorway, a carved pillar, or a bonfire ritual was often more than a religious symbol. It could also be a way to mark the longest day of the year and the turning point that came with it. For ancient cultures, this moment mattered deeply. It shaped farming, worship, trade, and daily routines. It also inspired stories and customs
On June 4, the most widely remembered global event is the 1989 military crackdown on protests centered around Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. In the spring of that year, large crowds of students, workers, and residents had gathered to call for political reform, greater openness, and action against corruption. The Chinese government declared martial law and sent troops into the capital, leading to many deaths and injuries, though the exact number has never been fully confirmed. At the time,
ALTON — Rosetta Brown and Tammy Perry Are Continuing Their Highly Anticipated Youth Summer Road-Trip Program With A Night Out To See “Michael” On June 9th At The Alton Cinema. The Annual Program, Designed To Provide Safe, Engaging, and Memorable Summer Experiences For Local Youth, Chose This Exciting Event. Attendees Will Get To Experience The World Of “Michael” At The Alton Cinema Located At The Alton Square Mall. "We Are Thrilled To Continue Our Summer Programming
2025-2026 School Year – 2nd Semester Senior High Honors: Anabel Eilerman, Marissa Fraley, Stella Gress, Hannah Klaas, Carly Pohlman, Emma Rose, Jack Zipprich Senior Honors: Addison Becker, Reagan Clendenny, Jack Goode, Tyler Grimes, Sadie Kiel, Mia Krysl, Tamara Osterman, Mary Squier Junior High Honors: Noah Bailey, Ian Gilman, Jordan Hillen, Gabriella Hurley, Grace Hurley, Madison Mayerck Junior Honors: Caroline Adams, Lucy Baalman, Peyton Baalman, Henry Barczewski, Jacob
GRANITE CITY – A sex offender from Granite City faces his latest felony charge in a series of registration failures in St. Clair and Madison Counties. Wayne H. Schone, 40, of the 2900 block of West 20th Street in Granite City, was charged on May 28, 2026 with a Class 2 felony count of unlawful failure to register as a sex offender, his second or subsequent such offense. On May 27, 2026, Schone allegedly failed to register his address with the Granite City Police Department as a sex offender,
SPRINGFIELD, IL. - Illinois lawmakers are moving to impose new statewide rules on electric bikes, scooters, and other micromobility devices, advancing legislation backed by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias that supporters say is needed to address growing safety concerns as the devices become more common on bike paths, sidewalks, and roads. The Illinois Senate passed the bill, Senate Bill 3336, on June 1, 2026, by a 55-2 vote after it had also passed the House. The measure now awaits Gov. J
JERSEY - The Jersey County Sheriff’s Office has recognized Taylor Woodring as a recipient of the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association Scholarship, honoring a Jersey Community High School graduate who plans to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville this fall to study dietetics and nutrition. Woodring has also been an active girls' cross-country and indoor and outdoor track-and-field athlete at the school. The Jersey Sheriff’s office said Woodring said she earne
EAST ALTON-WOOD RIVER — The Riverbend East Rotary Club recently presented a $1,700 check to East Alton-Wood River High School Special Education Supervisor Emily Zipprich to support several special education programs at the high school. The donation came from proceeds raised through the club’s Jambalaya Dinner. Zipprich, identified as second from left, received the check from Joe Silkwood, Kendra Green and club President Mark Smith.
BELLEVILLE — St. Clair County is inviting residents to donate comfort items and care package essentials for deployed Airmen from Scott Air Force Base during a donation drive Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the St. Clair County Courthouse in Belleville. The event, organized in partnership with local military supporters, is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the courthouse’s Circle Drive, 10 Public Square. The county said the effort is intended to boost morale for service members statione
GODFREY - Vitality Women’s Clinic aims to raise thousands of dollars for their Baby Bottle Campaign. The faith-based, pro-life pregnancy center offers resources to expectant and new parents, but does not provide or refer for abortions. Their Baby Bottle Campaign encourages people to donate to the clinic by filling empty baby bottles with spare change or loose dollars. Executive Director Jackie Duty and Board Secretary Cindy Parish hope many people make the decision to donate. “Every
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