Leaving for college or the workforce is one of the most momentous times in a young person’s life. But it’s stressful for parents too. Imagine dropping your only child off three states away, becoming an empty nester in the process. You’d probably shed a tear too. Sara Bennett, a psychotherapist at OSF HealthCare, reminds you: these feelings are normal, and you’re not alone. “Anytime we have an adjustment period, it’s hard. We have a lot of mixed emotions,”
ALTON - The Alton Police Department announced on Thursday, July 9, 2026, that it is joining the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Police and more than 200 local law enforcement agencies in a statewide enforcement effort to reduce speeding and improve traffic safety. Throughout the month, motorists can expect increased patrols focused on speeding and other traffic violations, according to the department. The effort will include intensified enforcement of posted speed
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is launching Licensed Certified Professional Midwife (LCPM) services for Illinois Medicaid customers. The new provider type will allow midwives to serve Medicaid customers by attending births that take place outside of hospitals via home and birth center settings. Professional Midwives are licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). “I am fully committed to making Illinois the best
ROLLA, Mo. - The Concrete Canoe Design Team at Missouri University of Science and Technology placed second at their first trip to the American Society of Civil Engineers Civil Engineering Student Championship, held June 25-27 in Fairmont, West Virginia. The team competed against 25 other teams from across the U.S., as well as teams from Canada, China, and India. Students who traveled to the competition include: * Drew Angle, a junior in civil engineering from Glen Carbon, Illinois * Kellen
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and nine of their Senate colleagues in submitting public comment to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought to demand OMB rescind a proposed rule, broadly titled “Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance” , that could alter how nearly all federal agencies administer grants and financial agreements. The proposed change would give more
ST. LOUIS — The Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center, in collaboration with MCORE Foundation, will host a free cardiac screening event July 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Center for youth ages 12–22. This initiative aims to raise awareness about Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) and provide potentially life-saving preventive screenings to identify undetected heart conditions. Participants will receive non-invasive electrocardiograms (ECGs) and limited echocardiograms performed by registered sonographer
CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) announced disaster tax relief for individuals and businesses in 11 counties affected by severe storms, tornadoes, heavy rainfall, straight-line winds, and flooding between March 10, 2026, and June 21, 2026. “In the wake of these devastating storms, my administration is ensuring that impacted residents and businesses have the support they need to recover,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “By
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced nighttime ramp closures at the Interstate 64 and Illinois 159 interchange in St. Clair County. Beginning at 8 p.m. Thursday, July 9, 2026, the northbound Illinois 159 ramp to westbound I-64 will close. The ramp is expected to reopen by 6 a.m. Friday, July 10, weather permitting. The ramp will close again beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, July 10, and is expected to reopen by 6 a.m. Monday, July 13, weather permitting.
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation and Capital Development Board were joined today by local officials and industry leaders to celebrate the completion of the new $63 million Materials Testing and Research Center. The cutting-edge facility, on the grounds of IDOT’s headquarters next to the Harry R. Hanley Building, will continue to propel the state in the field of highway construction materials and keep Illinois at the forefront of industry research, while
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced a bipartisan $45 million multistate settlement with Block Inc., the company behind the popular peer-to-peer payments app Cash App. The settlement resolves allegations that Block misled consumers about the safety of Cash App, failed to protect users from fraud on the platform, and didn't provide fraud protection and resolution required by law. “Block told Cash App users their money was safe and falsely implied that the app
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that applications are being accepted for new partners to administer the popular Cycle Rider Safety Training Program. Recent changes in state law have expanded the pool of eligible providers that can offer the training supported through Illinois motorcycle registration license endorsement fees. The official Notice of Funding Opportunity, with rules, frequently asked questions and contact information, is available by
SPRINGFIELD – The vacant property in downtown Springfield known as the “Y Block” would be transformed into a public park and venue space featuring native landscapes, a natural limestone amphitheater, shade and a play area for children under a joint initiative of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the City of Springfield. Transfer of the property from the City of Springfield to IDNR appeared on first reading before the Springfield City Council on Tuesday,
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, in partnership with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a coalition of five attorneys general, today announced a settlement in their antitrust lawsuit against Deere and Company (Deere), resolving allegations the farm equipment manufacturer used unlawful practices to limit the ability of farmers and independent repair providers to perform repairs on Deere farm equipment. “For years, Deere refused to give farmers the right to repair
ST. CLAIR COUNTY - Investigators with the Desloge, Mo., Police Department discovered remains believed to be those of a small child while executing a search warrant July 8, 2026, in Stookey Township, Ill., authorities said, in a case that began with a parental kidnapping report filed last month. The remains were found in St. Clair County, Ill. Stookey Township is an unincorporated part of Belleville just west of downtown Belleville. The St. Clair County Coroner’s Office has not yet positively
CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) announced today that Illinois has surpassed 1,000 certified peer professionals, with 1,010 individuals now credentialed as Certified Recovery Support Specialists (CRSS) and/or Certified Peer Recovery Specialists (CPRS). The milestone reflects the State’s continued investment in peer recovery support services and behavioral health workforce development and represents a 335% increase in the certified peer workforce since 2022.
GRANITE CITY – Granite City Community Unit School District No. 9 is partnering with the Madison County Health Department to host a pair of Back to School Physical and Immunization Clinics on Thursday, July 30 and Thursday, August 6 from 1-4:30 p.m. at the Granite City High School Annex Gym. This event will be held to help protect students and others by meeting school and sports physical requirements. All incoming kindergarteners, 6th graders and high school freshmen are required to hav
ALTON - The Alton Woman’s Home Association (AWHA) has been helping women and children in Madison County since the organization was founded in 1897. Their commitment to the community remains ardent; in 2025, more than $213,000 was distributed to 20 area agencies. AWHA was founded to provide women in need with a home where they could live out their final years. The first residence was the former Dolbee Mansion, located on the bluffs where Riverview Park stands today. In 1909, residents move
EDWARDSVILLE — State Senator Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) has earned a 100% voting record from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), Illinois' leading small business advocacy organization, for his consistent support of policies that help small businesses grow and succeed. “Small businesses don’t need more red tape, higher costs, and mandates from Springfield. They need government to get out of the way so they can create jobs and keep our local economies
EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, announced the addition of Deputy Jadden Smith, who was sworn in Tuesday, July 7, 2026, and will begin field training immediately. The sheriff’s office said Smith is its newest deputy and comes to the agency with experience from the Madison Police Department. “The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is excited to welcome our newest member, Deputy Jadden Smith, to the team,” Madison
ALTON – Alton officials have been asked to schedule a public forum before entering a trash hauling contract with Republic Services. Alton is already in the process of negotiating a new city-wide trash hauling contract with Republic Services. But before any final agreement is reached or approved, Denise Sparks of Sparks Junk Removal & Hauling asked city leaders to schedule a public hearing, much like Jerseyville did months ago . “This decision will affect every household in
stLouIST