SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate was 5.0 percent in February, up +0.1 percentage point from January, and up +0.3 percentage point from the same month, one year ago, based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The revised January unemployment rate was 4.9 percent. Total nonfarm payrolls decreased over-the-month in February, down -17,800 (-0.3%) to 6,137,200. The January monthly change
Mrs. Irene Elder Meyer, Wood River resident and a star of the Camerata Chorus in Alton, sang on St. Louis radio station KMOX as part of a special program on April 14, 1926. KMOX broadcast from the Mayfair Hotel (now known as the Magnolia Hotel St. Louis), located at North Eighth and St. Charles Streets. “The seventh program of the Song Cycle, to be broadcast from Station KMOX, the Voice of St. Louis, will take listeners to the Vermont Mountains, a section brought into close association
On April 19, 1775, fighting broke out at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts, marking the start of the American Revolutionary War. What began as a tense attempt by British troops to seize colonial weapons quickly turned into open conflict between local militia and one of the world’s most powerful empires. It mattered at the time because it ended any realistic hope that the dispute could be solved without violence. It still matters today because the war that followed helped shape ideas
SPRINGFIELD - State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt)'s legislation to honor Illinois veterans and service members passed the House unanimously. House Bill 4385 now advances to the Senate for further consideration. Schmidt filed HB4385 to expand access to military license plates as a small but meaningful way to recognize those who have served our country. "This bill allows veterans and service members who already have military plates to obtain an identical set for a second vehicle
CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined leaders from IBM and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to announce the renewal and the expansion of the IBM–Illinois Discovery Accelerator Institute, a forward step for Illinois’ fast-growing quantum and AI ecosystem which highlights the state’s continued commitment to strengthening our workforce to develop the next-generation of computing. “I’m pleased to see the IBM-Illinois Discovery Accelerator
ALTON – Residents of East Alton and Wood River face felonies in two connected cases for their alleged involvement in shots fired towards an occupied vehicle. Peyton A. Maddox, 18, of Wood River, and Jeremiah E. Thornton, 18, of East Alton, were both charged on April 16, 2026 with one count each of aggravated discharge of a firearm (both Class 1 felonies) and aggravated unlawful possession of weapons (both Class 4 felonies). Maddox also faces a Class 4 felony count of obstructing justice.
EDWARDSVILLE — From new playgrounds to trail expansions and major park upgrades, communities across Madison County are set to see visible improvements following the approval of $3.3 million in Parks Enhancement Program (PEP) grants on April 16. The County Board approved funding for the program during its meeting Wednesday night. The grants will support projects in municipalities, townships and park districts, with awards ranging from $49,700 to $310,000. The program allows local governments
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt advanced a measure that would ban the use of AI tools in teacher evaluations. “This measure protects teachers by ensuring their evaluations are written by people, not AI,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This will keep the process fair, transparent and more focused on real classroom performance.” Senate Bill 2909 would prevent school administrators from using AI to write teacher evaluations. A teacher evaluation is a formal
SPRINGFIELD/HIGHLAND – On Saturday, April 11, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) honored a group of creative fifth and sixth-grade students selected for their artistic and writing skills used to express environmental awareness, as part of our Annual Poster, Poetry, and Prose Contest. The students selected from throughout Illinois were recognized at a ceremony at the Illinois State Library. Each year, fifth and sixth-grade students in Illinois take part in the Poster,
ALTON - Alton High School and local businesses have partnered to offer internships to local students. The Alton Educational Foundation worked with local businesses and the high school to start an internship program for students last fall. Kristie Baumgartner, executive director of the Alton Educational Foundation, noted that the program has been positive for all involved. Students receive valuable job experience while local employers find hard-working interns. “As much as teachers
SPRINGFIELD, IL. – Legislation sponsored by State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) to help rural ambulance services meet staffing requirements has been passed by the Illinois House. House Bill 5446 extends eligibility for an alternative staffing model to vehicle service providers that serve rural or semi-rural communities and are made up of volunteers, paid-on-call, or part-time employees. Currently, the use of part-time employees is not an option. Representative
JERSEYVILLE – In conjunction with Jerseyville Banking Center, J.C.H.S. has selected their “Students of the Month”. The recipients for the month of March are Adalyn Hutchins (10) left & Meryre Maynard (11) right. The selection of a “Student of the Month” is based upon the number of F.O.C.U.S. nominations, which a student receives for a given month. F.O.C.U.S. (Finding One Clearly Unique Student) is a program, which acknowledges a student each week for academic or
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias released a new study today detailing how auto insurance companies use non-driving factors to significantly increase costs for Illinois drivers. The release of the study reinforces the need for legislative reforms advanced through the office’s Driving Change campaign and was compiled from nearly 2,000 responses from Illinois residents. The Illinois Secretary of State’s office commissioned an independent study fro
GRANITE CITY – The Rotary Club of Granite City recognized juniors Olivia Heck and Elizabeth Weaver as Students of the Month for April. Students were nominated by teachers, and were chosen on the basis of academics, as well as scholastic, extracurricular and civic honors and awards, and organization membership and leadership. Each honoree received a framed certificate and a gift card, and was recognized at the Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast on March 24, 2026. OLIVIA HECK High
GLEN CARBON – Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSofSI) would like to congratulate the Top Cookie Sellers from the annual Girl Scout Cookie Program for 2026. Girl Scouts made door-to-door sales, hosted cookie booths, and even made online sales to friends and family near and far. GS of SI would like to recognize the girls who sold the most packages for their Service Unit. Let’s give a shout out to the following girls for being Top Cookie Sellers for their respective areas: Kennedy
On April 18, 1906, a powerful earthquake struck San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area, triggering fires that burned for days and turning large parts of the city into ruins. The quake and its aftermath killed thousands of people, displaced a huge share of the population, and caused damage that reshaped the region’s economy and daily life. It mattered immediately because it tested how a modern city could respond to sudden disaster—when water lines broke, streets split, and communication
ALTON - The Alton Fire Department responded Friday afternoon to a structure fire at Skyline Towers, a senior independent living apartment complex, where firefighters encountered smoke on the third floor and extinguished the fire with water cans. Firefighters were dispatched at 4:16 p.m. to Skyline Towers at 3113 Washington Ave. in Alton. Upon arrival, crews were notified of smoke on the third floor, and as they reached that level, they encountered smoke in the hallway, officials said. As firefighters
EDWARDSVILLE — A two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Buchanan and Park in Edwardsville blocked the road for a period of time Friday morning, April 17, 2026, according to Cathy Hensley, a spokesperson for the City of Edwardsville. “At least one person was reportedly injured in the crash,” Hensley said Friday afternoon. No other details were yet known about the accident.
Key takeaways: Excessive drinking can cause many problems, including brain, liver, skin, stomach and pregnancy issues. If alcohol is part of your outdoor fun, take it slow, and take breaks. Call 9-1-1 if someone needs quick medical attention. Your primary care provider can link you with resources to help quit drinking. Warm weather means more outdoor activities involving alcohol. The dangers How quickly can binge drinking turn problematic? “Very easily,”
WOOD RIVER - Von Dell Gallery and Studios in Wood River, Illinois, will mark its 10th anniversary with a public celebration Saturday, April 18, 2026, featuring artist demonstrations and refreshments, owner Gary Von Dell Conrad said. The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the gallery, 102 E. Ferguson Ave., at the corner of First and Ferguson in Wood River. “It is a milestone to be in business for 10 years, I am pleased,” Conrad said. “I love what I do.” Conrad
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