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ALTON - Volunteers from United Way, Salvation Army, the Alton Police Department and more joined forces to sort donations for Community Christmas. On Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, volunteers gathered at the Alton Salvation Army to unpack 116 boxes that have been collecting donations throughout the Riverbend region. These donations will be given to families in the Greater St. Louis area as part of the United Way Community Christmas initiative. “It’s just been amazing to be a part of because it’s just one of those experiences that gets you right here,” said Karen Lintz, Director of the Illinois Region for the United Way of Greater St. Louis. “You think about everybody that is going to receive these donations this Christmas and the smiles it’s going to make with all the kids and the families.” The sorting day is one of the biggest days for the Community Christmas program, but fundraising and donating started early in the year with events like Christma

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ALTON - Confluence Wealth Management welcomed 200 clients and friends to their second annual Christmas party to mingle, celebrate and express appreciation. On Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, clients gathered at Old Bakery Beer Company in Alton and enjoyed a meal with each other and Confluence Wealth Management owners Robert Diaz and Jack Hoelscher. Attendees could also donate to the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. Hoelscher explained that the party was a fun way to give back to the company’s clients and the community. “It’s really just our way to thank our clients for their business and just get everybody together at a fun time of the year,” he said. “Our intention and our hope is that, whether it’s through this event or other efforts, that this is going to grow in scale as our business grows. We’ll be able to increase the impact of those relationships and of our charitable giving in relation to that. We really hope to do more and more

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today filed a federal antitrust lawsuit challenging the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) transfer eligibility rule as an illegal restraint on college athletes’ ability to market their labor and control their education. The NCAA rule requires college athletes who transfer among Division I schools to wait one year before competing in games, unless the NCAA waives the rule for a particular athlete. The NCAA began automatically exempting first-time transfers from the regulation in 2021 but has continued to enforce the rule for subsequent transfers and deny waivers for no legitimate reason. Raoul and a bipartisan coalition of six attorneys general filed their lawsuit today in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to keep the NCAA from enforcing the rule. “The Transfer Eligibility Rule unfairly restricts collegiate athletes

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with Illinois community members and gun violence prevention advocates and survivors to discuss their shared efforts to save American lives through comprehensive gun safety reform, including a federal assault weapons ban. The meeting included Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering, representatives from Highland Park, Moms Demand Action in Illinois, Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence, Chicago Survivors, Illinois Gun Violence Prevention Coalition, Everytown Survivor Network and Martyr for Justice Project. Photos from today’s meeting are available on the Senator’s website . “The needless and preventable gun violence Illinoisans and Americans across this country experience is heartbreaking and not reflective of the kind of future our young people deserve,” said Duckworth. “And yet, these leaders and community advocates continue to show their courage and dedication every day as they

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced today his office reached a settlement with plasma collection company CSL Plasma Inc. (CSL) and its parent company, CSL Behring LLC, which resolves a lawsuit alleging the company’s policies discriminate against people with disabilities. Attorney General Raoul filed the lawsuit in June of 2020 in response to complaints from Illinois residents who were prevented from donating plasma because of their disabilities. Raoul alleged CSL’s policies violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Illinois Human Rights Act. “Individuals with disabilities should not face discrimination from a business simply for requesting the reasonable accommodation to which they are entitled,” Raoul said. “I will continue to enforce the Human Rights Act to ensure every Illinoisan with a disability has equal access to their communities and is protected against discrimination.” Under the settlement agreement, CS

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CHICAGO - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $52,860,638 in federal funding to the Illinois Department of Transportation to help the City of Bloomington improve multimodal transportation along approximately 6 miles of the Route 9 corridor. The improvements will include surface, curb and gutter replacements, sidewalk and ADA improvements, bike lane and pedestrian path additions, traffic signal upgrades, drainage improvements and bicycle facilities upgrades. This substantial funding comes through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)’s Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant (MPDG) program and will improve infrastructure, as well as help create local jobs for Illinoisans. “Improving our transportation infrastructure is crucial to helping reduce congestion, lower costs and improve logistics, and Route 9 serves as a key route for it throughout Central Illinois and the entire state,” said Duckworth. “I’m proud

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, with Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb, co-led a collation of 22 state attorneys general in calling for an end to Mississippi’s regime of large-scale, permanent felon voter disenfranchisement. Raoul and the attorneys general filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit. A panel of 5th Circuit judges previously ruled that Mississippi’s system constitutes cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and entered an order instructing the district court to issue an injunction stopping Mississippi from enforcing the provision. However, the 5th Circuit vacated that ruling and decided to have the full court hear the case. “The vast majority of states have come to recognize that restoring voting rights helps convicted people fully reintegrate into their communities after they have served their debt to society,”

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WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Ambassador Motaz Zahran to discuss avenues to reopen key Gaza hospitals under the supervision of a credible, neutral third party in order to help innocent civilians caught in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. They also discussed ways to govern and rebuild Gaza. Last week, Durbin spoke by phone with United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres to discuss his proposal to reopen Gaza hospitals. Durbin was also joined by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). “Egypt is a critical voice in the Middle East and is to be commended for its role in getting humanitarian aid into Gaza,” Durbin said. “During today’s meeting, we discussed the enormous ongoing humanitarian, security, and post-conflict governance challenges involving Gaza, as well as the importance of a long term two state solution. We also discussed options for helping reopen secured

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EDWARDSVILLE - Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. of Edwardsville, announced it has initiated a voluntary recall on specific batches of private label Holiday Nog purchased in United Dairy Farmers stores between Dec. 4 through Dec. 6, 2023, that may contain an undeclared egg allergen: Product Product#/ Lot# Product Size Code Date Sold Between Holiday Nog 7631005049 I 21-65 1/2 Gallon 12/19/2023 12/4- 12/6 Holiday Nog is produced and manufactured by Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. of Edwardsville, and sold at United Dairy Farmers stores. This specific batch may have been mislabeled related to egg allergens. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs may run the risk of serious allergic reactions if they consume these products. "As part of our commitment to food safety, potentially impacted products have been removed from all United Dairy Farmers store shelves," Prairie Farms said in a statement. "To date, there have been no reported cases of illness reported t

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ROXANA - Trenton Hollaway may be just a sophomore, but he’s already making his mark wearing Roxana colors. Hollaway has already become an important piece for the Shells, on both the soccer field and basketball court. On the hardwood, Holloway has grown into a role as a starting point guard, scoring and facilitating his Roxana teammates. “I feel like it’s very important to get my teammates open,” said Trenton Holloway following a recent 53-48 Shells basketball win over Southwestern in Roxana. “Getting (teammates) opportunities to get buckets and get points on the board.” Not just a facilitator, Trenton has shown his knack for scoring, and really shooting. His 14 points in the win over Southwestern gave him a share of the team lead with fellow sophomore Sean Maberry. His role as a point guard is similar to the role he plays on the soccer field, a facilitator and willing passer if need be, but more than confident in front of the goal. But Trenton

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PIASA - Southwestern senior Rocky Darr has been creating big plays on the football field and the basketball court in his time in Piasa Bird Green and Gold. On the football field, Rocky’s presence is felt on both sides of the ball. A weapon on offense, both as a wideout and a running back, with 599 total yards. On defense, Darr is a vital cog in the Southwestern linebacker corps, often breaking through offensive lines for big tackles. On the hardwood, Rocky Darr turns more into a facilitator, the Piasa Birds offense relies on Darr from the point to run their offense. Darr is one of four seniors on the Southwestern basketball team, and his experience comes through when talking to him. Following a recent defeat on the road to the Roxana Shells, Rocky sounded almost coach-like in his analysis of his team’s performance. “Too many turnovers, but we stuck to our game plan.” “You have to see the base of the game, if it’s a physical game, be physical

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ST. LOUIS - Ameren co-workers love their libraries. The company has awarded $200,000 in grants to 100 public libraries throughout its Missouri and Illinois service territory as part of Ameren's Love Your Library program. The libraries awarded were chosen based on nominations from Ameren co-workers. Ameren co-workers noted how their own local library shaped their love for reading, and the joy their children have experienced there as they built early literacy skills. Beyond books, these libraries are also providing free summer programming, internet access, job resources, polling stations and other services that directly impact the community. "Part of our Ameren Cares mission is to advance institutions such as public libraries that create thriving communities," said Gwen Mizell , senior vice president, chief sustainability, diversity & philanthropy officer at Ameren. "From educational workshops to internet access to toddler story times to a cool place to gather on the hottest days,

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Human Services’ (IDHS) State-Operated Developmental Centers (SODCs) are amplifying COVID-19 testing and infection-prevention policies as a response to increased cases among residents and staff. SODCs provide residential programs to people with intellectual/developmental disabilities who have severe medical and/or behavioral needs. IDHS operates seven developmental centers in the state. Across the state, COVID-19 laboratory confirmed cases and COVID-19 related hospitalizations have increased by nearly 50% since early November, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. As of December 6, there were 58 residents, out of approximately 1,650 total, and 35 staff, out of approximately 3,500 total, who have tested positive for COVID-19 since November 20, with nearly all presenting mild symptoms. SODC staff have provided positive residents and patients with treatment, including antiviral medication as appropriate. Only

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) has granted nearly $9.2 million to 44 organizations, including 21 community colleges, throughout Illinois to help address education and unemployment gaps. Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey was part of the grants, and will receive $88,000 for the objective of wrap-around support services. The funding will be used to help minority and low-income students as well as individuals with disabilities remove barriers to completing their education and career goals through the Innovative Bridge and Transition Grant program (IBT). “Closing the equity gap in higher education is a critical priority of the Illinois Community College Board, and this grant funding helps community colleges and other organizations throughout Illinois do that. These financial resources help provide effective equitable education and career opportunities for thousands of Illinoisans who may otherwise not have the opportunity to better

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ALTON - Jules Fair’s multimedia artwork could be described as “meditative,” to say the least. Fair hasn’t always had an easy journey, but those struggles have allowed the Milton Schoolhouse Artist of the Month to help other people navigate life through meditation, self-care and guided art practices. Meanwhile, her own art has grown over the years and made Fair one of the most prominent artists in the Riverbend. “During the lockdown for COVID, I had already been going through some tough times before, and I needed a way to feel better. So I decided to sit with myself and learn as much as I could about meditation and how we can rewire our mind,” Fair remembered. “I take the concepts that I sit with in meditation or through an active meditation like dance, I take those ideas and those concepts and I transmute them into a 2D or 3D piece of art.” As Fair’s meditation practice expanded, so did her art. She soon found herself drawing,

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Gaming Board (the "IGB" or "Board") held its final regular meeting of the year today as it works to close out a historic and productive 2023 that included the opening of four newly authorized casinos and two sportsbooks, licensing of more than 200 new video gaming establishments, issuing numerous other licenses and regulatory approvals, adopting significant new rules, and taking impactful enforcement and disciplinary actions. “We have achieved a lot this year to further strengthen and advance Illinois gaming, ensure a high level of integrity and ethics, safeguard public trust, and generate critical revenue for communities across our State,” said IGB Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter. “I am thankful for and proud of our outstanding Board members and staff who deserve much credit for their work, dedication and accomplishments.” During the meeting, the Board approved four rules to assist in the implementation of the recently enacted Publi

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PALOS HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS - Three students from Roxana High School were selected to participate in the Illinois All-State Choirs. Troy Rah-Bass 1, All-State Honors Chorus. Joseph Whetzel-Bass 2, All-State Chorus. Gianna Visser-Soprano 1, All-State Chorus. During the fall of 2023, over 10,000 students from elementary, junior high and high schools around Illinois participated in a virtual audition process and of those auditions, more than 7,000 students were selected to participate in district festivals celebrating student musicians in bands, orchestras, choruses and jazz ensembles. Roxana High School Choir Director Erin E. Falloon said the selection of three students for All-State was a "huge accomplishment for our student musicians." "I am super proud of them," she said. "The process for the auditions is pretty involved and it takes a lot of time and diligence to get things together for all-state. It is like being selected for an all-state team in sports. Those selected get to sing

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GRANITE CITY – Granite City Community Unit School District #9 partnered with All God's Children Shall Have Shoes for its annual event Friday at Famous Footwear in Alton Square Mall. All God's Children Shall Have Shoes is an annual free socks and shoes program for local schools in the metro area. Over 130 students from Frohardt, Grigsby, Lake Maryville, Mitchell, Prather and Wilson Schools participated in the event. "We had an amazing day giving out so many pairs of shoes and socks," said Sue Wooden , All God's Children Shall Have Shoes Administrator. "We do this so the kids can have something new for themselves. This event really touches our heart." Volunteers met the students to size and assist them in picking out a pair of shoes and a package of socks to take home. Students also received a cookie from The Cookie Factory. Buses were donated from First Student, Inc. to transport the students to and from Famous Footwear, while each school provided social workers and

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ALTON - Valcour Development announced late Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, that it is pleased to announce three new tenants to the Alton Circle Center Development at 1721 Homer M. Adams Parkway in Alton - Marshalls, Ulta Beauty and Five Below. Valcour said the three businesses have signed leases and will soon join the existing Big Lots, Goodwill, AT&T Store, and the brand-new Starbucks at Alton Circle Center. Valcour said Friday the new stores will fill the space left vacant after the closure of Schnucks in 2020. Work has begun on the total redevelopment of Alton Circle Center and is expected to continue through late 2024. In addition to the new stores, the project includes a refresh of the entire center, including new facades and storefronts, new parking lot paving and lighting, a new roof, improved vehicular access from Buckmaster Lane, and improved stormwater drainage. Valcour Development principal Mark Breihan, made this statement: “We are thrilled to bring new life to the property,

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ALTON - Alton Little Theater’s Extra Extra Entertainment Series is kicking off with the sold-out Best of the Best Christmas Concert, the Actor’s Studio Series, a $1,000 grand prize audition competition for their upcoming “Best of the Best Country Love” show, and much more. ALT Executive Director Lee Cox shared more details about the theater’s upcoming events on the most recent “ Theater Thursday ” segment on Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com . One of them, the Actors Studio Series, gives young performers a chance to be noticed by talent scouts. “If you provide a showcase and even support for young performers, they can get to a decent school, they can be scouted by a talent scout,” Cox said. “I also like to showcase playwrights that don’t get that mainstream attention.” One of the upcoming shows in the Actor’s Studio Series is “Two Rooms,” which follows the story of a young newlywe

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