WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) announced she will vote against the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 (NDAA) unless her amendment to end President Donald Trump’s illegal war against Iran is included. Specifically, Duckworth’s amendment would halt additional funding for offensive operations against Iran—while still allowing for self-defense, defense of allies and intelligence gathering—until the American people
WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) recognized U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham’s (R-SC) lifetime of public service following his sudden passing this weekend. “Last week, I joined several of my colleagues from the Senate and the House at the NATO Summit in Ankara, Türkiye… Last Wednesday, we had a dinner hosted by the U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye, Tom Barrack. There must have been 50 or 60 people there,
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today introduced the Gateway Arch National Park Boundary Revision Act , bicameral legislation that would add nearly 50 acres to the Gateway Arch National Park into Illinois. Expanding the site into Illinois, including Malcolm Martin Park and East St. Louis, will promote economic development in Illinois by attracting more visitors to the Illinois side of the river. Expanding the site
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA OHS), in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and local municipalities, is promoting multiple Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs) to assist residents and businesses impacted by the severe storms on June 10, 11 and 17, 2026. These disaster declarations cover the primary counties of Cook and LaSalle for the June 10, 11 storms and Coles and Effingham for the June
ALTON - Lydia Schrumpf has been named The Eardley Agency, LLC, Female Athlete of the Month for the Alton Redbirds, following a junior tennis season in which she posted a 23-16 overall record and earned Southwestern Conference All-Conference and Academic All-Conference honors in 2025. She is expected to be the Redbirds' top singles player in 2026. Schrumpf recorded notable wins last season over Belleville East and O’Fallon. Alton High girls tennis coach Jesse Macias said Schrumpf is expected
WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, reflected on his recent trip to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Ankara, Türkiye. During the summit, they discussed congressional support for the transatlantic relationship, the war in Iran, as well as continued Russian aggression and interference in western democracies. During his remarks, Durbin reflected on the life
Standard Oil Company broke ground for the Wood River Refinery in 1907, and it was operational the following year. Wood River “startled the nation” with a 1,000 percent increase in population from 1910 to 1920, almost entirely due to the establishment of the Refinery. By the mid-1920s, there was a large enough population that Standard Oil decided to fund an impressive pool for Wood River, which opened July 3, 1926. The Wood River Pool was open to all, and there were no residency
ALTON - Community members and visitors are encouraged to come out for a meet-and-greet street party to kick off the Alton Powerboat Nationals. On Friday, July 17, 2026, a street party at Catdaddy’s Tavern in Alton will spill into 3rd Street, featuring live music and the chance to chat with the racers and their crews. This party is free to attend and sponsored by the City of Alton, Alton’s Parks and Recreation Department, and Catdaddy’s. The band Leadfoot takes the stage
A festival can turn strangers standing shoulder to shoulder into a crowd that feels like a community. That change happens fast. One moment, people are checking their phones, hurrying past each other, or keeping to their own group. Then the music starts, a parade rolls by, lanterns rise, drums echo, or food is passed around, and the mood shifts. People smile at someone they have never met. Families point things out together. Neighbors who barely speak during the week stop to chat. Festivals d
On July 14, the single event most widely associated with the date is the storming of the Bastille in Paris in 1789. A crowd of Parisians seized the fortress-prison during the early French Revolution, searching for gunpowder and striking at a symbol of royal power. At the time, it showed that the French monarchy was losing control and that ordinary people could shape events directly. It still matters today because it became a lasting symbol of political change, citizenship, and the idea that government
BETHALTO — The Bethalto Village Board on Monday recognized two local figures during its meeting, as new Deputy Police Chief Michael Hogan had his badge pinned on and recent Civic Memorial graduate Max Weber was honored for his state track championship. Hogan, who was sworn in on June 15, was formally recognized during the Monday, July 13, board meeting when his wife pinned on his badge before a packed room. He will take over for Scott Hale, who has been on administrative leave for severa
ALTON – ImpactLife is partnering with local blood donors and drive hosts on community blood drives during the week of Aug. 3, 2026. We appreciate the support of local volunteers who step forward as volunteer donors and blood drive coordinators. OSF HealthCare Platelet Drive Monday, August 03, 2026 09:00 am - 04:00 pm 200 Alton Square H1 Alton, IL 62002 https://login.bloodcenter.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/144897 Foster Township Community Monday, August 03, 2026 03:30
CHICAGO – The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the state’s college access and financial aid agency, announces the 16th annual College Changes Everything® (CCE) Conference on Thursday, July 16, 2026 from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Tinley Park Convention Center. Illinois’ preeminent postsecondary access and success event brings together stakeholders committed to increasing the proportion of adults in the state with high-quality degrees and credentials.
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today announced $195,000 in Charitable Trust grants to 10 nonprofit organizations across the state that provide food and housing to people in need. “Through these grants, we are lending a hand to people who are struggling to meet basic needs like food and shelter,” Treasurer Frerichs said at a news conference in Chicago. “We recognize that people are faced with higher housing costs and grocery prices while the federal government is
MITCHELL - Illinois State Police said one person was injured in a two-vehicle crash Friday evening on northbound Illinois 255 near Gateway Commerce in Mitchell, prompting a temporary lane closure during the investigation. The crash happened at about 7:55 p.m. July 10, 2026, in Madison County, according to a preliminary investigation by ISP Troop 8. Police said the crash involved an SUV and a passenger car in the median. One person was taken to a local hospital with injuries, state police said.
JERSEYVILLE – Preparations are set for the 2026 Jersey County Fair Parade , which is expected to draw county-wide residents of all ages to downtown Jerseyville. The parade kicks off at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, starting at the intersection of State Street (U.S. Highway 67) and Carpenter Street (Illinois Route 16) before proceeding down State Street. Attendees can expect to see patriotic parade floats and color schemes at this year’s parade, which carries the Fair Week’s
SOUTH COUNTY ST. LOUIS - Officers from the South County Precinct responded at 7:17 a.m. Monday, July 13, 2026, to a call for service for a motor vehicle crash, according to the St. Louis County Police Department. When officers arrived, they found that an SUV and a motorcycle had been involved in the crash. Preliminary investigation indicates the motorcyclist was traveling northbound on Lemay Ferry Road when he was struck by a vehicle traveling south that was making a left turn into the parkin
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt led a bipartisan effort to provide formerly incarcerated individuals with a second chance to maintain a publicly clean licensing record. The new law allows these individuals to continue serving the people of Illinois as licensed professionals while still providing the state with the flexibility to decide when to issue a license for protection of the public. “This law will help people who, despite their past, want to get out there and
STEELVILLE, MO. - Around 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026, staff at Huzzah Valley Resort in Steelville, Mo., evacuated more than 150 campground guests after a flash flood warning and record flooding that damaged parts of the property, including the resort store, according to updates posted by team lead Chase Cottrell and the resort. Cottrell said the flooding was unlike anything the resort had previously experienced. “We are seeing record flooding that we have never
EDWARDSVILLE — Local entrepreneur and creative professional Tyler Duty is inviting clients, friends, family, fellow business owners, and community members to celebrate the first anniversary of his business during a special networking and appreciation event on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at EXO Nail Bar in Edwardsville. Over the past year, Duty has built his business through a passion for creativity, innovation, and helping organizations and businesses elevat
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