Riverbender 🕸

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) joined Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth in sending a letter urging the Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to conduct a public health assessment on the impact of decades of flooding in Cahokia Heights, Illinois. “We write to request that the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) conduct a public health assessment on the impact of decades of flooding in Cahokia Heights, Illinois,” wrote the lawmakers. “For years, residents in Cahokia Heights have struggled with flash flooding, raw sewage in yards and homes, and potentially dangerous drinking water—the result of large-scale infrastructure problems that have failed to protect residents’ homes. As you are aware, prolonged exposure to floodwater and sewage can pose a significant public health threat from exposure to mold and other bacteria linked

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ALTON/GODFREY - Kolton Corby is a few days shy of turning 12, and instead of birthday presents, he wants to help animals in need. Corby and his family invited community members to help them fill a bus with donations on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at Farm and Home in Alton. All donations went to Hope Animal Rescues , a no-kill dog shelter in Godfrey that pulls dogs from animal control facilities before they are euthanized. Corby explained that dogs are his favorite animal, which is why he chose to donate to Hope Animal Rescues. “There’s just a lot of dogs in need, and they pick up a lot of dogs too,” he added. This is Corby’s fourth year of collecting donations instead of birthday presents. He started on his 8th birthday because he was concerned about “just being nice to animals and people.” Corby himself has five dogs, two goats, two cats “and a whole bunch of chickens,” so he knows firsthand how important it is to be kind and take

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), co-founder of the Senate Environmental Justice Caucus, and U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) today sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) urging the agency to conduct a public health assessment on the impact of decades of flooding in Cahokia Heights, Illinois. “We write to request that the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) conduct a public health assessment on the impact of decades of flooding in Cahokia Heights, Illinois,” the lawmakers began their letter. “For years, residents in Cahokia Heights have struggled with flash flooding, raw sewage in yards and homes, and potentially dangerous drinking water—the result of large-scale infrastructure problems that have failed to protect residents’ homes. As you are aware, prolonged exposure

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ALTON - Centerstone, a national leader in behavioral health care, will co-host, along with Illinois First Judicial Circuit, Heritage Behavioral Health and Kane County System of Care, the no-cost “The Belonging Need” training series in early 2024 featuring advocate, speaker and former NFL player Gaelin Elmore. CEUs will be available. “The Belonging Need” series stresses that belonging is a vital component of human flourishing. However, those who have experienced traumatic and adverse situations often lack a sense of belonging, which can hinder their relationships, development, and their future. The series includes: “The Belonging Need: Part 1” – January 24 from 9-11 a.m. CT via Zoom “The Belonging Need: Part 2” – February 21 from 9-11 a.m. CT via Zoom In-person “A Trauma-Informed Courts and Community Symposium: Creating a Culture of Belonging” – March 21 from 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Marion Cultural

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BETHALTO - The Bethalto Floor Store hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony last Friday to commemorate its grand re-opening under new owner Kaylee Weber, who now owns the business in the same community where she's raising her family with a husband and two children. The Bethalto Chamber of Commerce organized the ribbon cutting to signify the new ownership. Weber is a Bethalto area native who was not only born and raised there, but whose family has another well-established local business, RCS Construction. “I am the new owner as of August, and I’m excited to stay here in town with a local business,” Weber said of the Bethalto Floor Store. She said the Bethalto Floor Store sells “any kind of flooring,” including carpet, tile, vinyl plank, laminate, hardwood and more, adding: “any surface you can walk on, we’ll have it and we’ll install it as well.” “I think it’s a fantastic town, it’s a great place to raise a family

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ALTON - Volunteers from United Way, Salvation Army, the Alton Police Department and more joined forces to sort donations for Community Christmas. On Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, volunteers gathered at the Alton Salvation Army to unpack 116 boxes that have been collecting donations throughout the Riverbend region. These donations will be given to families in the Greater St. Louis area as part of the United Way Community Christmas initiative. “It’s just been amazing to be a part of because it’s just one of those experiences that gets you right here,” said Karen Lintz, Director of the Illinois Region for the United Way of Greater St. Louis. “You think about everybody that is going to receive these donations this Christmas and the smiles it’s going to make with all the kids and the families.” The sorting day is one of the biggest days for the Community Christmas program, but fundraising and donating started early in the year with events like Christma

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ALTON - Confluence Wealth Management welcomed 200 clients and friends to their second annual Christmas party to mingle, celebrate and express appreciation. On Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, clients gathered at Old Bakery Beer Company in Alton and enjoyed a meal with each other and Confluence Wealth Management owners Robert Diaz and Jack Hoelscher. Attendees could also donate to the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. Hoelscher explained that the party was a fun way to give back to the company’s clients and the community. “It’s really just our way to thank our clients for their business and just get everybody together at a fun time of the year,” he said. “Our intention and our hope is that, whether it’s through this event or other efforts, that this is going to grow in scale as our business grows. We’ll be able to increase the impact of those relationships and of our charitable giving in relation to that. We really hope to do more and more

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today filed a federal antitrust lawsuit challenging the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) transfer eligibility rule as an illegal restraint on college athletes’ ability to market their labor and control their education. The NCAA rule requires college athletes who transfer among Division I schools to wait one year before competing in games, unless the NCAA waives the rule for a particular athlete. The NCAA began automatically exempting first-time transfers from the regulation in 2021 but has continued to enforce the rule for subsequent transfers and deny waivers for no legitimate reason. Raoul and a bipartisan coalition of six attorneys general filed their lawsuit today in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to keep the NCAA from enforcing the rule. “The Transfer Eligibility Rule unfairly restricts collegiate athletes

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with Illinois community members and gun violence prevention advocates and survivors to discuss their shared efforts to save American lives through comprehensive gun safety reform, including a federal assault weapons ban. The meeting included Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering, representatives from Highland Park, Moms Demand Action in Illinois, Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence, Chicago Survivors, Illinois Gun Violence Prevention Coalition, Everytown Survivor Network and Martyr for Justice Project. Photos from today’s meeting are available on the Senator’s website . “The needless and preventable gun violence Illinoisans and Americans across this country experience is heartbreaking and not reflective of the kind of future our young people deserve,” said Duckworth. “And yet, these leaders and community advocates continue to show their courage and dedication every day as they

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced today his office reached a settlement with plasma collection company CSL Plasma Inc. (CSL) and its parent company, CSL Behring LLC, which resolves a lawsuit alleging the company’s policies discriminate against people with disabilities. Attorney General Raoul filed the lawsuit in June of 2020 in response to complaints from Illinois residents who were prevented from donating plasma because of their disabilities. Raoul alleged CSL’s policies violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Illinois Human Rights Act. “Individuals with disabilities should not face discrimination from a business simply for requesting the reasonable accommodation to which they are entitled,” Raoul said. “I will continue to enforce the Human Rights Act to ensure every Illinoisan with a disability has equal access to their communities and is protected against discrimination.” Under the settlement agreement, CS

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CHICAGO - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $52,860,638 in federal funding to the Illinois Department of Transportation to help the City of Bloomington improve multimodal transportation along approximately 6 miles of the Route 9 corridor. The improvements will include surface, curb and gutter replacements, sidewalk and ADA improvements, bike lane and pedestrian path additions, traffic signal upgrades, drainage improvements and bicycle facilities upgrades. This substantial funding comes through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)’s Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant (MPDG) program and will improve infrastructure, as well as help create local jobs for Illinoisans. “Improving our transportation infrastructure is crucial to helping reduce congestion, lower costs and improve logistics, and Route 9 serves as a key route for it throughout Central Illinois and the entire state,” said Duckworth. “I’m proud

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, with Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb, co-led a collation of 22 state attorneys general in calling for an end to Mississippi’s regime of large-scale, permanent felon voter disenfranchisement. Raoul and the attorneys general filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit. A panel of 5th Circuit judges previously ruled that Mississippi’s system constitutes cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and entered an order instructing the district court to issue an injunction stopping Mississippi from enforcing the provision. However, the 5th Circuit vacated that ruling and decided to have the full court hear the case. “The vast majority of states have come to recognize that restoring voting rights helps convicted people fully reintegrate into their communities after they have served their debt to society,”

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WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Ambassador Motaz Zahran to discuss avenues to reopen key Gaza hospitals under the supervision of a credible, neutral third party in order to help innocent civilians caught in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. They also discussed ways to govern and rebuild Gaza. Last week, Durbin spoke by phone with United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres to discuss his proposal to reopen Gaza hospitals. Durbin was also joined by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). “Egypt is a critical voice in the Middle East and is to be commended for its role in getting humanitarian aid into Gaza,” Durbin said. “During today’s meeting, we discussed the enormous ongoing humanitarian, security, and post-conflict governance challenges involving Gaza, as well as the importance of a long term two state solution. We also discussed options for helping reopen secured

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EDWARDSVILLE - Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. of Edwardsville, announced it has initiated a voluntary recall on specific batches of private label Holiday Nog purchased in United Dairy Farmers stores between Dec. 4 through Dec. 6, 2023, that may contain an undeclared egg allergen: Product Product#/ Lot# Product Size Code Date Sold Between Holiday Nog 7631005049 I 21-65 1/2 Gallon 12/19/2023 12/4- 12/6 Holiday Nog is produced and manufactured by Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. of Edwardsville, and sold at United Dairy Farmers stores. This specific batch may have been mislabeled related to egg allergens. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs may run the risk of serious allergic reactions if they consume these products. "As part of our commitment to food safety, potentially impacted products have been removed from all United Dairy Farmers store shelves," Prairie Farms said in a statement. "To date, there have been no reported cases of illness reported t

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ROXANA - Trenton Hollaway may be just a sophomore, but he’s already making his mark wearing Roxana colors. Hollaway has already become an important piece for the Shells, on both the soccer field and basketball court. On the hardwood, Holloway has grown into a role as a starting point guard, scoring and facilitating his Roxana teammates. “I feel like it’s very important to get my teammates open,” said Trenton Holloway following a recent 53-48 Shells basketball win over Southwestern in Roxana. “Getting (teammates) opportunities to get buckets and get points on the board.” Not just a facilitator, Trenton has shown his knack for scoring, and really shooting. His 14 points in the win over Southwestern gave him a share of the team lead with fellow sophomore Sean Maberry. His role as a point guard is similar to the role he plays on the soccer field, a facilitator and willing passer if need be, but more than confident in front of the goal. But Trenton

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PIASA - Southwestern senior Rocky Darr has been creating big plays on the football field and the basketball court in his time in Piasa Bird Green and Gold. On the football field, Rocky’s presence is felt on both sides of the ball. A weapon on offense, both as a wideout and a running back, with 599 total yards. On defense, Darr is a vital cog in the Southwestern linebacker corps, often breaking through offensive lines for big tackles. On the hardwood, Rocky Darr turns more into a facilitator, the Piasa Birds offense relies on Darr from the point to run their offense. Darr is one of four seniors on the Southwestern basketball team, and his experience comes through when talking to him. Following a recent defeat on the road to the Roxana Shells, Rocky sounded almost coach-like in his analysis of his team’s performance. “Too many turnovers, but we stuck to our game plan.” “You have to see the base of the game, if it’s a physical game, be physical

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ST. LOUIS - Ameren co-workers love their libraries. The company has awarded $200,000 in grants to 100 public libraries throughout its Missouri and Illinois service territory as part of Ameren's Love Your Library program. The libraries awarded were chosen based on nominations from Ameren co-workers. Ameren co-workers noted how their own local library shaped their love for reading, and the joy their children have experienced there as they built early literacy skills. Beyond books, these libraries are also providing free summer programming, internet access, job resources, polling stations and other services that directly impact the community. "Part of our Ameren Cares mission is to advance institutions such as public libraries that create thriving communities," said Gwen Mizell , senior vice president, chief sustainability, diversity & philanthropy officer at Ameren. "From educational workshops to internet access to toddler story times to a cool place to gather on the hottest days,

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Human Services’ (IDHS) State-Operated Developmental Centers (SODCs) are amplifying COVID-19 testing and infection-prevention policies as a response to increased cases among residents and staff. SODCs provide residential programs to people with intellectual/developmental disabilities who have severe medical and/or behavioral needs. IDHS operates seven developmental centers in the state. Across the state, COVID-19 laboratory confirmed cases and COVID-19 related hospitalizations have increased by nearly 50% since early November, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. As of December 6, there were 58 residents, out of approximately 1,650 total, and 35 staff, out of approximately 3,500 total, who have tested positive for COVID-19 since November 20, with nearly all presenting mild symptoms. SODC staff have provided positive residents and patients with treatment, including antiviral medication as appropriate. Only

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) has granted nearly $9.2 million to 44 organizations, including 21 community colleges, throughout Illinois to help address education and unemployment gaps. Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey was part of the grants, and will receive $88,000 for the objective of wrap-around support services. The funding will be used to help minority and low-income students as well as individuals with disabilities remove barriers to completing their education and career goals through the Innovative Bridge and Transition Grant program (IBT). “Closing the equity gap in higher education is a critical priority of the Illinois Community College Board, and this grant funding helps community colleges and other organizations throughout Illinois do that. These financial resources help provide effective equitable education and career opportunities for thousands of Illinoisans who may otherwise not have the opportunity to better

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ALTON - Jules Fair’s multimedia artwork could be described as “meditative,” to say the least. Fair hasn’t always had an easy journey, but those struggles have allowed the Milton Schoolhouse Artist of the Month to help other people navigate life through meditation, self-care and guided art practices. Meanwhile, her own art has grown over the years and made Fair one of the most prominent artists in the Riverbend. “During the lockdown for COVID, I had already been going through some tough times before, and I needed a way to feel better. So I decided to sit with myself and learn as much as I could about meditation and how we can rewire our mind,” Fair remembered. “I take the concepts that I sit with in meditation or through an active meditation like dance, I take those ideas and those concepts and I transmute them into a 2D or 3D piece of art.” As Fair’s meditation practice expanded, so did her art. She soon found herself drawing,

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