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SPRINGFIELD - At the Illinois Gaming Board’s (the “IGB” or “Board”) first meeting of the year, it reported that the State and local governments earned more than $1.5 billion in tax revenue from Illinois’ 15 licensed casinos, more than 46,000 video gaming terminals and 13 sports wagering operators statewide in 2023. Total revenue from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023: State taxes - $1,307,113,715 Local taxes - $243,253,726 Total taxes - $1,550,367,441 “None of the tax revenue and other economic benefits from legal casino gambling, video gaming and sports wagering would have been possible without the IGB’s tireless work to protect the integrity and public confidence in Illinois gaming,” said IGB Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter. “The IGB looks forward to continued cooperation and partnership with our licensees and stakeholders to ensure continued success, revenue generation, accountability, compliance, and the

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COLLINSVILLE - A man from Collinsville has been banned from all Walmart locations after allegedly stealing multiple bottles of Fireball whiskey from the Glen Carbon Walmart, his second or subsequent offense of retail theft. James J. Willie, 40, of Collinsville, was charged on Jan. 28, 2024, with retail theft under $300, his second or subsequent offense, after stealing said Fireball from the Walmart at 400 Junction Dr. in Glen Carbon. According to Madison County court documents, the value of the stolen merchandise was less than $300 in total. Willie had previously been convicted of retail theft under $300 on Nov. 16, 2023 in Madison County. Willie faces a Class 4 felony in this latest case, which was presented by the Glen Carbon Police Department. Court documents indicate he was remanded to jail to be held until his initial appearance in court, but a Release Order was later filed with additional conditions listed for his release. As part of his release conditions, Willie

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Three, two, one. Jack Sandford is 14, and his world is about to turn upside down as the gate flings open on his first bull ride. “I’m an adrenaline junkie. I like to push stuff to the limit,” Sandford says with a smile. Fast forward to June of 2023, and Sandford’s world is about to change again. Three, two, one. The door at OSF Moeller Cancer Center in Alton, Illinois, opens, and Dr. Manpreet Sandhu walks in. She tells Sanford he has cancer in his upper intestine, liver and lymph nodes. It’s in an advanced state and not curable. Devastating news for anyone. But cancer wasn’t about to slow down the 67-year-old from Brighton, Illinois. He’s still bull riding on a senior tour during chemotherapy, making him a prime example of why staying active during cancer can help in the fight. Jack’s journey A Virginia native and Army veteran, Sandford came to southern Illinois around a decade ago to take a manufacturing job. He rode bulls

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EDWARDSVILLE - Four individuals face a range of felony and misdemeanor charges filed in Madison County, including aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer, resisting a peace officer, and more, according to county court documents. Jody C. Wesley, 64, of Wood River, was charged with aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer and unlawful possession of methamphetamine on Jan .28, 2024. According to court documents, Wesley disobeyed two or more traffic control devices and “knowingly failed to obey” a visual or audible signal given to him by a Madison County Sheriff’s Deputy to stop his vehicle. A petition to deny Wesley’s pretrial release states that his “dangerous flight shows both his danger to the community and risk of flight.” “Defendant led police on a high speed chase, disregarding multiple traffic control devices on Fosterburg Road and McCoy Road,” the petition states. “Defendant eventually

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GLEN CARBON - Six-foot-3 sophomore Chase Jansen has had a big impact this season on the Father McGivney Catholic varsity team. Chase moved to starting varsity at mid-season and has averaged 7.6 points a game and about 3.0 rebounds per game for the Griffins. Chase is a Byron, Carlson, Petri and Kalb Male Athlete of the Month for the Griffins. Chase poured in 14 points in his first-ever start against Maryville Christian. His biggest game point-wise was a 27-point outburst against Ramsey in December. "He just keeps making strides," McGivney head boys coach Cory Clouser said. "He has a bright future for Father McGivney." Again, congrats to Chase Jansen on his recognition as Byron, Carlson, Petri and Kalb Male Athlete of the Month.

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RIVERBEND - The Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau hosted its annual Tourism Summit on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau President Corey Jobe spoke about new projects that will be completed throughout the year. These initiatives aim to increase tourism in the Riverbend region and bring more people to Alton, Grafton and surrounding areas. “We must continue to invest in destination marketing, sales and promotion,” Jobe said during the Tourism Summit. “We need more public sector investment to be competitive in the tourism landscape…We need to address and raise our own situational awareness of how important our public lands, natural assets and outdoor recreation facilities are and the expanded economic contribution they could drive. We need to ensure we effectively steward these assets to their full potential.” Among other projects, there will be ten self-service “Kayak Kiosks” located along the Mississippi

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EDWARDSVILLE - Three individuals have been charged with weapon-related felonies and other charges in recent months, according to Madison County court documents. Lateef S. Hobbs, 52, of Alton, was charged with unlawful possession of weapons by a felon and driving on a license that had been suspended on Jan. 27, 2024. In a case presented by the Alton Police Department, Hobbs allegedly possessed a stun gun after previously being convicted of aggravated battery in Madison County in 1997, according to court documents. He also reportedly drove a vehicle on State Street in Alton at a time when his license had been revoked. Hobbs faces a Class 3 felony for unlawful possession of weapons by a felon and a Class A misdemeanor for driving on a suspended license. Court documents indicate he was released upon his signature of a Conditions of Pretrial Release Order. Rashod L. Wesley, 20, of Belleville, was charged with aggravated unlawful use of weapons on Dec. 29, 2023. Court documents

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) released the following statement calling on Congressional leaders to take action before the Affordable Connectivity Program runs out of funding. This week, the program stopped accepting new applicants ahead of the looming funding deadline in April. “Access to high-speed internet isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “For nearly three years, the Affordable Connectivity Program’s $30 monthly credit has helped connect nearly 23 million low-income households to internet access. This includes 50,000 in Illinois’ 13th Congressional District. But despite its success, House leadership has failed to bring forward legislation to keep this transformative program funded. Today, I’m urging Speaker Johnson to let us vote on additional funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program before families in Central and Southern Illinois lose this critical support

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GRANITE CITY – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that repairs on eastbound Interstate 270 between Illinois 3 and Riverview Drive in Missouri will require lane closures starting, weather permitting, at 9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 9. One lane will always remain open. All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 12. 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. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Wednesday, February 7, 2024, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on suspect William Hampton, 44 years of age, of the 6800 block of Waterleigh Drive in St. Louis, Missouri 63134, with Attempted Assault First Degree on a Special Victim, Armed Criminal Action, Resisting Arrest by Fleeing, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Resisting Arrest for a Felony. A booking photo of Hampton is attached. Hampton is being held on a $200,000 cash only, no 10%, bond. The probable cause statement reads: On February 6, 2024, at 3:15 PM, police observed a 2016 Nissan Maxima in the 10600 block of Lewis and Clark Boulevard, traveling at a high rate of speed and violating a steady red electric signal. Detective Sergeant #1 activated his emergency lights and siren in an attempt to stop the vehicle. The vehicle, being operated by the defendant, fled the attempted stop and continued at a high rate of speed, weaving in and out of traffic and driving

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ALTON - A male subject is in custody after a domestic incident in the River Reach Apartment Complex in Alton that was reported at 6:07 a.m. on Feb. 8, 2024. A female involved in the situation sustained serious injuries during the domestic violence incident. She was transported to a local hospital and then moved to a St. Louis area hospital for further treatment. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said the female is currently in "critical condition." "A male subject at the apartment was taken into custody as a result of his involvement in the incident," Chief Ford said. "The male and female are family members. There is no threat to the public." The investigation is ongoing. The case will be presented to the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office for criminal charges.

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner has announced she is standing alongside families impacted by the Carlinville funeral home’s insufficient handling of human remains , with a plan to reestablish integrity and trust in the death care industry. Senate Bill 2643 would require the death care industry in the state as well as state regulators to implement a mandatory unique identification tagging system for all human remains. It also would establish a chain of custody system that tracks the human remains of a deceased individual whose death occurred in the state from death to final disposition, if the final disposition is in Illinois. “The status quo isn’t working,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “These are people who deserve dignity and respect. This legislation will ensure that no family will have to worry that the death of their loved ones aren’t handled with dignity and respect.” Turner’s measure would put procedures and protocols

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GODFREY/WOOD RIVER - Hope Animal Rescues will host their second annual pasta dinner fundraiser to prevent dogs from being euthanized. From 4–7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024, community members can enjoy pasta from Bella Milano at the Wood River Moose Lodge. All proceeds go back to Hope Animal Rescues, which rescues dogs from animal control facilities on the day they are to be euthanized. “That’s how we get all our dogs. Our rescue stays full, obviously,” said co-founder Jackie Spiker. “If we have an empty room, we let somebody die. So as soon as a dog is adopted, we go pull another dog out of animal control.” The rescue has operated in Godfrey since 2005. Spiker explained that it costs approximately $250,000 a year to run the shelter, and every donation goes to the dogs’ care. If a dog is healthy, it costs $300 for the preventative veterinary care that every dog receives. But throughout the years, the rescue has spent up to $10,000

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GRANITE CITY - Two individuals from Granite City have been charged with selling methamphetamine out of their apartment after police staged multiple meth purchases at their residence. After executing a search warrant, officers reportedly seized “multiple baggies of suspected methamphetamine in an amount indicative of narcotic sales” in addition to live firearm ammunition found at their apartment on Jan. 25, 2024. Andrea P. Statham, 34, and Stevie J. Piper, 41, both of Granite City, were each charged with unlawful use or possession of weapons by a felon and possession with the intent to deliver methamphetamine. Madison County court documents state they were both in possession of more than 15 but less than 100 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to deliver, as well as Remington .22 caliber ammunition. Petitions to deny both Statham and Piper’s pretrial release describe the case as follows: “Law enforcement received information that Defendant and Co-Defendant

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CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO. - The man charged in the recent Granite City Police officer shooting - Donald J. Friese - was reported killed in a gunfire exchange with officers in Southern Illinois on Wednesday night, Feb. 7, 2024. Cape Girardeau Police obtained an alert about a car driven by a suspect involved in the Granite City shooting and located the vehicle and suspect around 8:35 p.m. Wednesday. The officers attempted a stop, but the suspect continued and a pursuit occurred. Police had used stop sticks at the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge to stop the suspect, but he drove into oncoming traffic to avoid them, police reported. Agencies involved in the Southern Illinois and Cape Girardeau confrontation with the suspect included Illinois State Police, the United Marshal Service, Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Office and Cape Girardeau Police Department. The suspect drove across the bridge into Illinois, where he was stuck while trying to drive through a field, then the shootout occurred. H

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SPRINGFIELD – State historic sites in Springfield will present a variety of engaging history hikes, walking tours and lunchtime programs to commemorate Black History Month. Individuals and groups are encouraged to sign up in advance on Eventbrite for educational experiences that will explore important historic events and pathbreaking individuals. Participants who register on Eventbrite and attend a program will receive a limited-production Black History Month “Everyone Belongs in History” vinyl sticker. A limited quantity of the stickers will also be available during February while supplies last at the Lincoln Tomb, Dana-Thomas House, Vachel Lindsay Home, Springfield Visitor Center, Lincoln Home National Historic Site, and the Illinois State Museum. “The Department of Natural Resources is excited celebrate the achievements of Black Americans through these programs,” said IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie. “We appreciate Visit Springfield, the

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today released the following statement after enough Republicans voted against a procedural motion on the bipartisan national security supplemental and border security deal: “I’m profoundly disappointed. We have a problem facing our nation at the border. Republicans challenged us to address it and Democrats worked in good faith to find a bipartisan solution. I was prepared to consider it. But at the last minute, Republicans cowered to the demands of Donald Trump, rejecting the bipartisan deal outright.”

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SPRINGFIELD – You are cordially invited to join the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum for a free day of fun Feb. 10 as we mark Lincoln’s birthday, honor his love of reading and celebrate the ALPLM earning national accreditation. Admission will be free all day, starting at 9 a.m., and then the museum will host a Literacy Jam from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We’ll collect donations of children’s books, welcome special guests to read stories, and offer music and activities for kids. Finally, after a ceremony to mark the ALPLM’s accreditation, we’ll close with cake for all and an explosion of streamers. The ALPLM offers free admission in honor of Lincoln’s birthday because everyone, regardless of income, should get the opportunity to learn about Lincoln and his impact on America. This year, there will actually be two free days – Saturday, Feb. 10, and then on Monday, Feb. 12, his actual birth date. The Lincoln Presidential Library i

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-IN) today introduced their Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act, legislation that extends funding for public health efforts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to improve childhood survival rates, prevent premature death and disability, and increase quality of life for the two-and-a-half million Americans living with congenital heart disease (CHD). Heart defects are the deadliest and most common form of birth defects—every 15 minutes a child is born with a heart defect. Today’s bipartisan legislation builds upon the law Durbin and Young passed in 2018 to expand CDC’s research and awareness efforts for CHD. “Heart defects are the most common birth defect, and if you ever get the devastating news that your precious little one has a serious medical condition, you hope there’s a treatment or care option for them,” said Durbin.

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JERSEYVILLE - In conjunction with Jerseyville Banking Center, J.C.H.S. has selected their “Students of the Month”. The recipients for the month of January are Matthew Weitzel (10) (left) & Talan Finkes (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 kindness. Each week teachers may recognize students who have performed well in their classes by selecting them as F.O.C.U.S. students for that particular week. During January, Matthew & Talan received the most F.O.C.U.S. nominations. Because they received the most nominations, they were named “Students of the Month” at JCHS. They are being congratulated by Makayla Daley of Jerseyville Banking Center. In conjunction with CNB Bank & Trust, J.C.H.S. has selected their “Students

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