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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today launched its annual Black History Month campaign, designed to honor and uplift the contributions of Black Illinoisans, business owners and leaders. As part of the month-long celebration, DCEO launched a webpage featuring events and resources, including resources to support Black-owned businesses, a social media toolkit, proclamation and more. The 2024 theme, Knowing the Past Opens Doors for the Future , pays homage to Illinois’ rich Black history and celebrates the economic contributions of Black Illinoisans. “Black-owned businesses are vital to Illinois' economy and building generational wealth,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “When you support Black businesses and entrepreneurs, you help local communities thrive.” “Black-owned businesses are the backbone of so many Illinois communities, contributing both economically and culturally to

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ALTON - The Alton Police Department responded to multiple reports that a person had been shot while at a residence in the 900 block of Highland Avenue in Alton on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. The initial reports came in to Alton Police at 2:55 p.m. on Saturday. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said officers immediately responded to the scene and located a 13-year-old female who had been shot. "Life-saving measures were performed and the Alton Fire Department subsequently transported the victim to a local hospital," Chief Ford said. "The victim was later flown to a St. Louis area hospital. She remains in critical condition." Alton Police Officers were assisted in securing the scene and other areas by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police, and other area police agencies. Detectives with the Alton Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division are investigating and following up on all available leads. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked

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EDWARDSVILLE – An initiative from the City’s Tourism Advisory Committee aims to make it easier than ever to find your fun in Edwardsville - whether you’re online planning an outing or already on the go. “Destination Edwardsville” highlights 17 existing local attractions, sharing information about those via a QR code that you scan with your cellphone. The project is being rolled out now; Destination Edwardsville yard signs are in place at various locations in the City. A QR code on each sign directs you to a Destination Edwardsville page on the Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau website. All 17 attractions are featured there, offering a helping hand in planning outings in Edwardsville. “Our QR code project consolidates in one location many of the terrific tourist destinations in Edwardsville,” said Rich Walker, a member of the City’s Tourism Advisory Committee. “This is a fun way to make sure you know about all of the places

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GLEN CARBON - Glen Carbon’s Olive Garden is set to open on Feb. 26, 2024. Located at 6651 Governors Parkway, Olive Garden is a family-friendly Italian restaurant. A representative from the Village of Glen Carbon said the restaurant plans to train staff in the coming weeks. Community members have been excited for the new business to open. The restaurant has been under construction for several months. In June 2023, the company announced that the restaurant would open in October 2023. But a storm in late June knocked over a main exterior wall, which pushed back the construction timeline as workers rebuilt the structure. Glen Carbon Mayor Bob Marcus said there has been "a tremendous response" from the community about Olive Garden coming to Orchard Town Center. "Olive Garden will officially open Feb. 26," he confirmed. "Olive Garden will make a wonderful addition to the restaurant choices in Glen Carbon." Olive Garden will join several other businesses in the new Orchard

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ALTON - A 19-year-old man from Alton has recently been charged with two felonies including vehicular invasion and robbery, according to recently filed Madison County Court documents. Ashton M. Britt-Dwyer, 19, of Alton, was charged with vehicular invasion and robbery on Jan. 27, 2024. According to court documents, Britt-Dwyer allegedly entered into the interior of a Ford Fusion “by force” while the vehicle was occupied, “with the intent to commit a theft or felony.” He was additionally charged with robbery after taking a wallet and work bag from the same victim by use of force. A petition to deny his pretrial release describes a physical altercation between Britt-Dwyer and the victim, who he allegedly attempted to pull out of their car before stealing their property and later admitting the crime to his mother. “Defendant was identified as the suspect who approached the victim in her motor vehicle and reached through the window, attempting to grab

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GRANITE CITY - A man from Granite City was recently charged with committing armed robbery at the Lam's Garden restaurant in Granite City, as well as illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, according to recently filed Madison County court documents. Cordarell D. Rogers, 32, of Granite City, was charged with one count of armed robbery and one count of unlawful possession of weapons by a felon. Court documents state that on Jan. 27, 2024, Rogers allegedly stole an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency from a victim “by threatening the imminent use of force, while he carried on or about his person or was otherwise armed with a firearm.” A petition to deny Rogers’ pretrial release describes the armed robbery as follows: “Defendant was identified as the suspect who entered the Lam's Garden restaurant and robbed the clerk of U.S. currency at gunpoint. The defendant was identified by surveillance video of him fleeing in a nearby vehicle. He was arrested

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SPRINGFIELD — The Commission on Equity and Inclusion (CEI) is proud to introduce its new online training academy, now available to State personnel with Illinois.gov email credentials. This overarching resource will offer an array of courses designed to enhance knowledge and promote equity and inclusion within the State's procurement landscape. The inaugural training, titled "CEI's Role in Procurement: A Comprehensive Review," will be hosted on OneNet and is anticipated to revolutionize how State employees engage with essential procurement concepts. By accessing the training here , participants can embark on a journey through the critical facets of CEI's mission, core guiding principles, and responsibilities. This immersive course delves into relevant statutes, provides historical context, and explores CEI's pivotal role in the state's procurement evolution. The training doesn't stop there – it clarifies the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) and Veterans Business Program

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HARDIN - A Hardin man has been arrested on a variety of charges after an ongoing methamphetamine and theft investigation. At 7 p.m. on Jan. 29, 2024, law enforcement officials from the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Pike County Sheriff's Department and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police executed a court-authorized search warrant at a residence on the 500 block of French St., Hardin, Calhoun County. Calhoun County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Zach Hardin said after the execution of said search warrant; stolen property, firearms, ammunition, methamphetamine and methamphetamine-related drug paraphernalia were located and seized. Jason W. Williams, age 37, of Hardin, was arrested on the following charges: Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine (15-100 Grams), Unlawful Possession of Firearm By Felon (Two Counts), Unlawful Possession of Firearm Ammunition By Felon, Unlawful Possession of Dangerous Weapon By Felon (Two Counts) Unlawful Possession of Dru

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CHICAGO – An Illinois Lottery player hit the jackpot and has become a multi-millionaire overnight. The lucky player won $10.4 million in last night’s Lotto drawing. The winning ticket was purchased at a Shell gas station, located at 2301 West Touhy Ave. in Park Ridge for the February 1, 2024 drawing. “I am so excited for the winner!” exclaimed Mohammed Menoor, owner of the Shell in Park Ridge. “This morning, I told each customer, ‘Someone won big, check your tickets.’ Sure enough, someone came forward, and you should have seen their face – they were clearly shocked.” The lucky player purchased the winning ticket matching all six numbers in Thursday’s Lotto drawing to score the $10.4 million jackpot prize. The winning numbers were: 12-23-36-39-41-48. For selling the winning ticket, the Shell gas station in Park Ridge will receive a bonus of $104,000, which is one percent of the prize amount. When asked what he plans t

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ALTON - It was a hairy Friday at Marquette Catholic High School as students, faculty and staff shaved their heads for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. On Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, the MCHS student body gathered in the gym to watch as students and staff had their heads shaved by Anderson’s Classic Barber Shop. Participants raised money for St. Baldrick’s, an organization that funds childhood cancer research. They then shaved their heads in support of childhood cancer survivors. “The trophy or whatever you call it isn’t important. The important thing is to help the kids. That’s the important thing,” said MCHS teacher Suzanne Phelps. “It’s worth it. Hair grows back. It’s insignificant.” Phelps was applauded for raising the most money, bringing in a little over $2,600. Other participants raised anywhere from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars. Everyone had different reasons for participating, but their goal —

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ALTON - Alton Little Theater is preparing for the final installment of their Extra Extra Entertainment Series with the “ Best Of The Best Country Love ” performance being held on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. in the Dorothy Colonius Foyer at ALT. Shortly following is their first regular-season show, "The Four Poster," running from mid-to-late February. The Best of the Best Country Love will feature “a wonderful collaboration from a dozen of the best voices in the area and some wonderful storytelling behind the favorite country hits,” according to ALT. Tickets are still available for $25 each and can be purchased from the ALT website . ALT Executive Director Lee Cox said on the latest Theater Thursday segment on Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com that the event will see performers compete for a $500 grand prize, with the winner decided by the audience. “They’re all very different, and they al

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is celebrating National Wear Red Day on February 2 and Heart Health Month throughout February by encouraging Illinoisans to get educated about cardiovascular disease and to take action to start living a heart-healthy lifestyle. IDPH is Going Red in February and urging all Illinoisans to take advantage of programs that focus on cardiac health, including the Department’s Illinois WISEWOMAN (Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation) Program. National Wear Red Day was conceived in 2004 by the American Heart Association to raise awareness that cardiovascular disease was killing far too many women and yet not getting the attention it deserved. The annual observance was added at the beginning of Heart Health Month to empower women to take charge of their cardiovascular health. “With heart disease remaining the number one killer both nationally and in Illinois, Heart Health

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ALTON - Alton City Hall will host a Black History Exhibit starting Feb. 5 and running through Feb. 29, 2024. First Lady Sheila Goins organized the exhibit with the help of local historians. She said she hopes the display will educate people about the prominence of Black history in Alton. “The importance in displaying this is really to help the community to understand that it was Black history that was very instrumental in the vibrance of this city,” Goins said. “And there may not have been a lot of Blacks that receive credit for it, but just the very infrastructure of this community was Black people. It’s just a beautiful thing.” Goins said the display’s history begins in the early 1900s and stretches to the present day. Visitors will learn about some of the Black leaders and community members who helped build Alton. Charlotte Johnson, a well-known historian and genealogist, worked closely with Goins to put together the exhibit. She used

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ALTON - Mark Taylor is known around the Riverbend as a kindhearted, giving person who goes above and beyond to help other people. Now, the community has a chance to help him. From 5–11 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, you can support Taylor at a benefit in his honor at the Alton Owl’s Club. Located at 227 Blair Avenue in Alton, the Owl’s Club will host the event to raise money for Taylor after a bad car accident in November. Attendees can enjoy unlimited draft beers, a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction and music by The Stubblefield Band and The Outlaw Opry. All proceeds go to Taylor. “We want to be able to help him, of course, and we want people to show up for him,” said DeAnna Nasello, Taylor’s sister. “We want him to see how many people care, how many people love him, how many people are there supporting him through this incredibly long, terrible journey that he’s had.” Taylor was in a car accident in November that broke

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JERSEY - A school bus collided head-on with a tree on Illinois Route 16 between Cherry Lane and Rangeline in Jersey County on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. The bus was not occupied by any students. The driver was airlifted out as a precautionary measure with an apparent broken ankle. Jersey County Sheriff Nicholas Manns said the female driver was conscious and alert when she was flown out and there were no kids on the school bus. Manns said the road was blocked in that area for about 45 minutes while the woman was transported from that scene. “The bus is likely totaled,” Manns said. “The entire front end of the bus was destroyed. Thankfully no one was on it at the time.” Sheriff Manns thanked the Jerseyville Fire Department, the Jersey Community Hospital Ambulance, the Survival Flight and Jersey Community School District 100 for assisting the Jersey County Sheriff's Office in the crash response.

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HAMBURG - Two Hamburg residents in Calhoun County have been arrested after a methamphetamine investigation. At 9:30 p.m. on January 27, 2024, law enforcement officials from the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Pike County Sheriff's Department and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police executed a court-authorized search warrant at a residence on the 400 block of Porcupine Lane, Hamburg, Calhoun County, Illinois; in reference to an ongoing methamphetamine investigation. Subsequent to the execution of said search warrant, methamphetamine and methamphetamine related drug paraphernalia were located and seized. William J. Parkinson, age 36, of Hamburg, was arrested on the following charges: Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Causing Child to be Endangered (Two Counts). Ariel J. Parkinson, age 27, of Hamburg, was arrested on the following charges: Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, Unlawful

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Citizens of Jersey County, I write to discuss an upcoming ballot measure proposed by the Jersey County Board (JCB) which proposes a half cent (0.5%) increase in our public safety tax, which is currently 0.75%. That increase would amount to fifty cents per $100 spent in the county on items other than fuel, qualifying food, medicine, medical appliances, and farm equipment used by farmers. Because it is a sales tax, visitors to our county would be helping us with it. I know how difficult it can be as a citizen of Illinois to consider any additional tax, which is why I am setting forth the following information for your thoughtful consideration as you go to the polls on March 19: First, when I took office as your Sheriff a year ago, I knew I would oversee the sheriff’s office, jail, and court security. Still, I must admit I was a little surprised to find that according to Illinois statute, I was also responsible for the maintenance of our beloved courthouse which was built

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) announces record-high final enrollment numbers for the 2024 Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment Period. According to federal CMS data, 398,814 Illinoisans enrolled in ACA Marketplace plans during Open Enrollment from November 1st through January 16th. Nationally, the total number of people who signed up for ACA Marketplace coverage topped 21.3 million. * "Here in Illinois, we’ve seen a record-high 16% jump in ACA Marketplace enrollment over last year, revealing that Illinoisans are taking advantage of the opportunity to enroll in comprehensive health coverage provided by the Affordable Care Act,” said IDOI Director Dana Popish Severinghaus. “We remain committed to helping Illinoisans without health insurance get high-quality coverage that fits their needs and budget.” Popish Severinghaus said now that Open Enrollment is over, the Get Covered Illinois team will

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) — a member of both the U.S. Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees—delivered an impassioned speech on the Senate floor about the recent Iran-backed attack on a U.S. base in Jordan that killed three American servicemembers. In her remarks, Duckworth warned her Republican colleagues who have made reckless, irresponsible comments that risk escalating tensions and putting more of our troops in harm’s way to remember the true cost of war—not just in dollars and cents, but in the sacrifices and blood of our troops. A full video of Duckworth’s remarks on the Senate floor can be found using the link here. Key quotes: “Since Sunday, I don’t think I’ve gone a waking hour without thinking about the brave servicemembers who lost their lives. Their names were Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, Sgt. Kennedy Ladon Sanders and Sgt. Breonna Alexsondria

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Public Safety Enforcement Group announced on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, that it has arrested 33-year-old Brandon M. Lee of Belleville, for First Degree Murder (Class M Felony) in a fatal shooting at an East St. Louis barbershop. ISP agents were requested by the East St. Louis Police Department to assist with a homicide investigation that occurred at a barbershop in the 7400 block of State Street in East St. Louis. On Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, Lee turned himself in at the East St. Louis Police Department. The victim, 36-year-old Jabril I. Ross of East St. Louis, had been shot at the barbershop and later pronounced deceased. ISP said after a thorough investigation, with assistance from the East St. Louis Police Department, the case was presented to the St. Clair County State’s Attorney James Gomric. The above mentioned charge was filed against Lee on January 29, 2024. No further information

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