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A total of $17 million will go toward building capacity outside of Chicago, Illinois Welcoming Centers, and the Immigrant Family Resource Program Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) announced $17 million in additional funding for municipalities to support asylum seekers. This is in response to the more than 38,000 new arrivals sent to Illinois by Texas since 2022. These funds will be utilized to build capacity in municipalities outside of Chicago that are welcoming asylum seekers. The State is continuing to support the City of Chicago with direct funding as well as funding to support the overall asylum seeker response and is launching this latest round of funding to advance our shared goal of increasing capacity outside of the City. The funds will come from the previously announced $160 million in additional State investment to support the asylum seeker response. Funds will make it possible for municipalities to provide direct services to

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COLUMBIA, Mo. - Columbia College recently announced its dean's list for the Fall 2023 Semester (August-December 2023). To be named to the dean's list, a student must have completed 12 credit hours in 16 weeks and achieved a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0-point scale. An Alton student Cierra Johnson, St. Louis, MO., campus, and a Jerseyville student Samantha Malley, Day Campus, Columbia, Mo., Founded in 1851 in Columbia, Missouri, Columbia College has been helping students advance their lives through higher education for more than 170 years. As a private, nonprofit institution, the college takes pride in its small classes, experienced faculty and quality educational programs. With 25 locations across the country, about half of which are on military installations, students may enroll in Day, Evening or Online classes. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Columbia College has more than 97,000 alumni worldwide. For more information, visit ccis.edu.

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CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker announced that Illinois secured 14.9M in competitive federal grant funding from the US Department of Transportation’s FY22-FY23 Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program. The Illinois Finance Authority (IFA), in its role as the Illinois Climate Bank, was chosen to receive the $14.9M to support the expansion of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in Illinois. “As Illinois moves toward a clean energy future, it is imperative that no communities are left behind,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This investment from our partners at the federal level will ensure Illinois has the resources to make electric vehicles accessible to all our residents. With the incredible work from the Illinois Finance Authority, regional partners, and local leadership, I have no doubt the Community Charging Program will make a positive impact statewide.” The proposed project, “The State of Illinoi

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CARROLLTON – Members and friends of the Greene County Historical and Genealogical Society will meet on Sunday, January 21, 2024, and bring various County historical and family artifacts for the annual Show & Tell program. Artifacts will be selected and defined by the presenter, and the items will be at least 50 years old. Display and discussion about the artifacts will begin after a short business meeting, which will commence at 2 p.m. on Sunday. This is always a popular program, the first one to be held in 2024. Everyone is welcome to attend and there is no charge. The Society is located at the northwest corner of the Carrollton Public Square in the historic Lee-Baker-Hodges building.

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GLEN CARBON – On January 20, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois will kick off the 2024 Girl Scout Cookie season! Girl Scouts throughout the area will hold cookie booths, visit customers door-to-door, and sell to friends and family online as they unbox their futures as young female entrepreneurs through the world’s largest entrepreneurial program for girls. During this highly anticipated time of the year, girls flex their entrepreneurial muscles and acquire five important life skills – goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics. All proceeds from cookie sales stay local to power Girl Scouts’ amazing experiences year-round. This year’s Girl Scout Cookie Program theme, Unbox the Future, aims to remove social barriers that often keep girls boxed in. When bold, goal-getting Girl Scouts sell a package of cookies, they’re doing much more than what’s seen at face value. Every box of cookies sold provides invaluable

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is reporting five crashes involving ISP squad cars occurred over the extended holiday weekend, January 12-15, 2024, three of which were Move Over Law, otherwise known as “Scott’s Law,” related. On January 12, 2024 at approximately 8:16 p.m., a trooper from ISP Troop 3 was handling a crash on Interstate 90 westbound at milepost 41.5 in Kane County. The squad car was stationary on the left shoulder with the emergency lights activated. The trooper was outside of the vehicle when it was struck in the rear by a Honda CRV. The trooper and his K9 partner were uninjured. The driver of the Honda, 36-year-old Luis A. Acosta Garcia of Belvidere, IL was also uninjured. Garcia was charged with the Move Over Law – Failure to Yield to Stationary Emergency Vehicle and Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident. On January 14, 2024 at approximately 4:35 a.m., a trooper from ISP Troop 3 was on the left shoulder,

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GODFREY - Four have been charged with knowingly taking possession of merchandise offered for sale in the Walmart at 6660 Godfrey Road without paying the retail value of the merchandise. Each has been charged with one count of Retail Theft Over $300. Madison County State’s Attorney Thomas Haine signed the charges recently for the four suspects. The Madison County State's Attorney's Office released the following charges information. Facing charges are: Rmond D. Hickman, DOB 10/11/1997 Hickman faces a Retail Theft Over $300 charge for allegedly taking multiple bottles of liquor and electronics, having a total value in excess of $300.00, with intention of permanently depriving the merchant of the possession of such merchandise without paying the retail value of the merchandise. Malcolm J. Beal, DOB 08/29/1999 Beal faces the charge of Retail Theft Over $300 for allegedly removing multiple bottles of liquor and electronics having a value in excess of $300.00 and with the intention

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LINN, MO. – State Technical College of Missouri would like to congratulate those students who achieved the Dean’s List during the 2023 fall semester. East Alton's Troy Holbrook made the Dean's List this past fall at State Technical College of Missouri. To be placed on the Dean’s List, a full-time student must earn a semester grade point average between 3.5 and 4.0 on a 4-point scale.

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WOOD RIVER - The year ended on a great note for the City of Wood River. After a very busy summer we moved to the fall months and holiday times with enthusiasm and expectation of an exciting new year and to carry the momentum of growth and improvements throughout our community. Below is a rundown on some of the great events from the past Fall & Winter. We would like to thank all of the volunteers that make these events a success. On October 7, the Annual Food Truck Festival was held at Central Park. Thank you to the Enrichment Network for all their work on a great event that was enjoyed by all. October 18, The Child Advocacy Center, (located in the old WR Hospital Building) celebrated 20 years of service to child victims of abuse and their families. City officials attended the anniversary ribbon cutting. October 19, a Job Fair was held at the Roundhouse for the new Rec Center. Park and Rec. Director Jason Woody said the turnout was great and he wanted to thank all who participated

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CHICAGO — Attorney General Kwame Raoul today co-led a coalition of 21 attorneys general, along with California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and New York Attorney General Letitia James, in submitting a letter urging the Biden administration to complete its review and swiftly implement proposed regulations prohibiting the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. Raoul and the attorneys general argue that the proposed FDA Rules , which are supported by ample evidence, are years overdue. In their letter to the White House Office of Management and Budget, Raoul and the attorneys general highlight calls for action from civil rights and public health groups to remove menthol tobacco products from the marketplace to protect public health and address the systemic and disproportionate impact of these products on minority communities and other vulnerable populations, including young people. “I am asking the FDA to ban menthol cigarette

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SPRINGFIELD - Due to inclement weather conditions, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is encouraging those seeking Secretary of State services at Driver and Motor Vehicle facilities to call (800) 252-8980 or visit www.ilsos.gov to ensure availability. “In times of inclement weather, like the current cold snap the state is experiencing this week, Illinoisans should check ahead to ensure that they have access to the services they require before heading out to the DMV,” Giannoulias said. “We’ve also made more services available online at www.ilsos.gov so people no longer need to visit a DMV.” In addition to more services now available online at ilsos.gov as a part of Giannoulias’ “Do-it-Online, Skip-the-Line” approach, the office has made design changes to its website to make all available online services more accessible and expanded eligibility for online driver’s license and state ID renewals.

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CHICAGO – Even with the below-freezing temperatures, one Illinois iLottery player is feeling flushed, or at least flush with cash, after winning a Fast Play Twenty 20s jackpot of $721,388 over the weekend. There were over 5,600 winning tickets sold on Sunday, January 14 for the Fast Play Twenty 20s game, netting Illinois Lottery players more than $950,000 in prizes. Twenty 20s is an Illinois Lottery progressive jackpot Fast Play game. The jackpot begins at $50,000 and grows with each ticket sold statewide - in-store and online - until the jackpot is won. You could be next! Fast Play is a quick and easy draw game that can be played at any time. There are no numbers to pick, no play slip to complete, no scratching, and no waiting for winning numbers. There are currently over 25 Fast Play games offered at various price points and play styles.

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GODFREY - A man from Godfrey has been charged with meth possession, his latest in a series of felonies committed in recent months - including battery, unlawful restraint, and more - according to Jersey County court filings. Joseph L. Miller, 27, of Godfrey, was most recently charged with possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine on or about Jan. 11, 2024, according to court documents. Miller was charged with a Class 3 felony in this case, and his arraignment hearing is set for Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 at 9 a.m. at the Jersey County Courthouse. Miller had previously been charged with aggravated domestic battery and unlawful restraint on or about Nov. 29, 2023. Court documents for that case allege Miller strangled and “knowingly and without legal authority detained” the victim. He received a Class 2 felony for aggravated domestic battery and a Class 4 felony for unlawful restraint. Three months earlier , on Aug. 14, 2023, Miller had been charged wit

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Letter to the Editor: This past Friday I received a phone call from Congresswoman Mary Miller, who just made her second trip to the southern border to see the situation with her own eyes. She told me, “There are 10 million illegal migrants already in Texas and Arizona. It’s an invasion. It’s estimated that 70 percent are men of military age. In some areas, cartels control both sides of the border.” For more information, I would refer readers to her Twitter/X account: @RepMaryMiller . She recommended that local government officials make clear public statements that they don’t have money in their budgets, can’t provide services, and therefore it’s irresponsible to send buses full of migrants to their communities. In 1985, Chicago declared itself a “sanctuary city” for illegal aliens, which means that all city officials are prohibited from helping federal immigration agents. The State of Illinois adopted similar policies

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EAST ST. LOUIS - East St. Louis School District 189 Superintendent Arthur R. Culver issued information on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, about the E-Learning Day today. "Due to the forecasted extreme cold temperatures, School District 189 was closed on Tuesday, January 16, 2024. This will be a full E-Learning Day; instruction will be provided for students virtually using district-issued Chromebooks. Tuesday's Parent Teacher Conferences and athletic games will be rescheduled. "Students will use their district-issued devices and should log on for school from 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Login instructions will be provided by each school. Teachers will take attendance on e-learning days and will announce when breaks and lunch can be taken. Students are expected to engage throughout the entire class period and school day. "Attendance will be based on a student’s consistent engagement and participation. Please ensure your child fully participates in class activities by signing into their

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GODFREY - A local Paralympian is gearing up for the Paris 2024 Games with a new wheelchair. Eric Newby, who lives in Godfrey, plays wheelchair rugby and is co-captain of Team USA. He recently received a new titanium chair via a grant from the Kelly Brush Foundation (KBF), an organization that helps fund adaptive sports equipment for people who are living with spinal cord injuries, and the Disabled Athletes Sports Association (DASA), which offers adaptive sports training. As he prepares for the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Newby is ready for another active year on the rugby court with the help of his new equipment. “It’s the best tool I’ve ever had to do my job, which is very exciting,” he said. “I’ve never been the most talented rugby player or anything, but I’ve definitely worked the hardest and I’ve had a lot of luck that’s led me through my career, so it’s been very special.” Newby started playing rugby in 2006 afte

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) again urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to use its authority to protect children from the dangers of vaping as the agency continues to miss and delay critical deadlines in a letter to FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf. Durbin has repeatedly criticized FDA for its long-overdue review of pre-market tobacco product applications (PMTAs) from e-cigarette manufacturers, which had a federal court deadline of September 9, 2021. FDA has missed that court-ordered deadline by 28 months as unauthorized e-cigarettes flood the market and addict America’s children. “This repeated failure to meet FDA’s own stated projections tells us FDA is not meeting its obligations under the court order. Given these delays, and with no end in sight, there is absolutely no reason why FDA continues to permit unauthorized e-cigarettes to remain on store shelves. FDA has the tools and the authority to clear the market

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5th Grade Honor Roll COLLIN ABBOTT, MAYCEE CARRAWAY, HAILEY DARR, LUKAS DARR, AIDEN DAUGHERTY, CLAYTON DAUGHERTY, HANNAH GILLESPIE, NEHEMIAH HARGIS, LIAM HAZELWOOD, JOSEPH HEITZMAN, HUNTER HORTON, AIDEN KRAUSHAAR, ELLISON NEWTON, LAYTON OSELAND, LIAM REISCH, KINDELL REPPENHAGEN, ABEL SHORT, SAMSON TAYLOR, TATE VALSTAD, JERI WAHL, REMINGTON WEDDING 5th Grade High Honor Roll LOGAN ALLGOOD, LIAM ANDERSON, CATHERINE BALCER, JESSA BARO, MADELYNN BAZE, AUBREY BEHL, BRYNNA BICK, ABILENE BRAY, KARLEEN BRITTAIN, ANNORA BURKMAN, MAKAILYNN BYRD, MOLLY CAMPION, RICHARD COOLEY, OLIVIA DALTON, LANDEN DEVERGER, HAYLIE DEWITT, PEYTON EICH, ARTHUR FALLIN, CHIARA FALTER, HAYLEIGH FERGUSON, PIPER FRY, VIOLET GAJEWSKI, SAWYER GREATHOUSE, CLEIGHTON GREEN, MYA GREEN, ROBERT GRESHAM, KNOX HAMILTON, CARSON HAYES, EVA HERRING, CARTER JOHNSON, GAGE JORDAN, JAXEN KLUNK, KADE LAKIN, ANNABELLE LAMBERT, WILLIAM LAUBSCHER, LUCY LILLEY, BRYLEE MADSON,

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ALTON - Ethan Bazzell of Emergency Medical Services is Alton Memorial Hospital’s January Employee of the Month, receiving the award Jan. 15 from Dave Braasch and EMS manager Jason Bowman. Bowman said that “Ethan is a true professional in his field, both with patient care and when it comes to his teamwork with his fellow co-workers. You can always find a smile on Ethan’s face and he leads by example.” Squad leader Mike Mulrean says that “Ethan is always willing to help out in any department and looks for solutions to new ideas in the department.” Ethan is also working tirelessly to complete his Paramedic degree with working full time.

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EDWARDSVILLE - More than 20 years ago, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumnus Khari M. Garvin worked in the SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start program to help educate, strengthen and advance preschoolers, families and communities. Today, he is still a leader in Head Start – but on a national scale. Garvin , who earned a master’s in education in 2005 from SIUE, is director of the Office of Head Start (OHS) at the Administration for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The OHS administers grant funding and oversight to the 1,600 agencies that provide Head Start services in communities across the country. OHS also provides federal policy direction and a training and technical assistance system to help grant recipients in providing comprehensive services to eligible young children and their families. “I genuinely believe in Head Start’s mission (to end poverty) and the thoughtful, research-based, two-generation

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