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WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement Senate after negotiators reached a bipartisan deal to expand the Child Tax Credit and support millions of working families: “When Democrats expanded the Child Tax Credit in the American Rescue Plan, we lifted millions of children out of poverty with the stroke of a pen. We know this critical lifeline works for millions of families and, with this bipartisan deal, we have a new chance to bring it back while ensuring more working families can benefit from this tax credit, too.” “Not only would expanding the Child Tax Credit show working families that we are putting them first, but this bipartisan agreement would also support businesses, incentivize domestic research and innovation, provide relief to communities impacted by disasters, expand funding for affordable housing and more. I’m thankful for Chair Wyden and Chair Smith’s leadership in negotiating this bipartisan

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BELLEVILLE - Shannon Stelling with the Home Builders & Remodelers Metro-East Association recently emphasized the importance of the trades, highlighted this month’s Trade Student of the Month, and discussed the upcoming 2024 Home Expo as it gets closer from March 8-10, 2024 at the Belle Clair Fairgrounds in Belleville. In addition to thousands of dollars worth of giveaway prizes - including an $18,000 hot tub - the event will feature about 130 vendors, pet adoptions through the Belleville Area Humane Society, hourly performances from local school groups, bands, choirs, dance teams and more, as well as several local celebrities and radio personalities on the following dates and times: Tim Ezell and the Studio STL Crew: Friday, March 8, 2024, 12-1 p.m. Favazz, KSHE 95: Friday, March 8, 2024, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Courtney Landrum, 106.5 The Arch: Saturday, March 9, 2024, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Billy Greenwood: Sunday March 10, 2024, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees who

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SOUTH ROXANA - South Roxana Mayor TJ Callahan and the South Roxana Police Department have shown a heartwarming display of community solidarity in a fundraising campaign for Wyatt Owens, an 18-year-old area resident battling Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The South Roxana Police Department has committed to making a donation, setting a precedent for others. Wyatt is a beloved high school senior, who has been sidelined from his favorite sport - hockey - because of his chemotherapy and physical challenges, and the treatments have been a huge financial burden for his family. Mayor Callahan said this is more than just a donation, “It’s a statement of our community’s compassion. The support from the Village of South Roxana is a beacon of hope, inspiring others to contribute to this noble cause.” The DAWG Nation Hockey Foundation is at the forefront of the fundraising and has a 3-to-1 match for donations up to $2,500. Mayor Callahan encourages community members to join

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville residents at Tuesday’s City Council meeting shared a range of perspectives for and against the Overnight Warming Location (OWL) operating out of the First Baptist Church at 534 St. Louis Street in Edwardsville, following an announcement from Mayor Art Risavy. Risavy announced at the meeting that he has asked his staff to suspend a citation that was issued against the church for operating as a warming location without a special use permit. He said the city never planned to shut the center down and no fines were ever imposed or collected. “I’ve been working with urgency to try to resolve our issues with the Overnight Warming Location at First Baptist Church,” Mayor Risavy said. “It was never our intent to prevent it from operating, particularly at a time of such dangerous weather conditions - and please know, there were no fines ever imposed or collected.” Risavy’s account of events varies greatly from

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JERSEYVILLE - Junior starting guard Jaxon Brunaugh recently joined his head coach Matt Murphy in a prestigious Jersey Community High School club of 1,000-point career scorers. Jaxon and his head coach couldn't be more proud of the accomplishment. Murphy scored 1,488 points in his career at Jersey and is the school's all-time leading scorer. Brunaugh also has had a phenomenal career in his Panthers uniform. He is a Sparklight Internet Male Athlete of the Month for the Panthers. Brunaugh topped the 1,000-point mark in a recent 48-44 win over rival Southwestern. He had 23 points on that night against the Piasa Birds. "Basketball is a team sport and getting the win the night he broke 1,000 points was important, but those personal accolades are nice as well," Coach Murphy said. "Especially for someone who is such a great kid as Jaxon. He works hard and puts in a ton of work. I couldn't be happier for him and he deserves the recognition." Coach Murphy said in his first year of coaching i

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EDWARDSVILLE – Mayor Art Risavy announced on Tuesday, January 16, that he has directed City staff to suspend a citation issued to First Baptist Church, 534 St. Louis Street, as part of a zoning matter related to an overnight warming location for the unhoused. As part of the action, an upcoming municipal court appearance also is being canceled. “It was never our intent to prevent it from operating, particularly at a time of such dangerous weather conditions. The city’s concern was only that the facility was safe for the people staying there and volunteering there,” Mayor Risavy said. “Our hope now is to continue a conversation with First Baptist Church so we can be part of the solution for those who are unhoused or in dire circumstances.” The City had been asking First Baptist Church to apply for a special use permit that City officials said would be necessary for the operation of the overnight warming center at 534 St. Louis Street, which is within

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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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