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BELLEVILLE – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) today announced the addition of 5,886 new preschool seats in preschool deserts—areas of the state with too few publicly funded preschool seats to serve 80% of low-income 3- and 4-year-olds in the area. As part of Governor JB Pritzker’s broader Smart Start initiative, ISBE originally aimed to add 5,000 new seats and exceeded the goal by 18%, expanding access to early childhood education to more than 5,800 additional children in preschool deserts statewide. ISBE also expanded services to families with babies and toddlers from birth to age 3, serving 1,130 additional children. View the list of Preschool for All grantees , Preschool for All – Expansion grantees , and Prevention Initiative grantees. “At its core, Smart Start is about making sure parents have the support they need to raise a family and children have the resources they need to succeed—no matter their

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) today introduced new bipartisan legislation, the Promoting Dental Health Act , to reauthorize funding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Oral Health program for the next five years. The Oral Health program receives $20.5 million in annual funding for a range of public health activities to promote oral health. This funding is allocated to 20 states to prevent cavities, gum disease, and other painful and serious conditions, including by supporting dental education, data collection, school-based sealant care for low-income children, state fluoridation efforts, workforce development, and research into gaps in patient care. Currently, Illinois does not receive any of the $20.5 million in direct grants, due to the fact that the Oral Health program is not adequately funded to serve every state. However, 2.8 million Illinoisans live in communities with

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The announcement on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, at Wieland that the company will be making a $500 million capital investment to re-equip, expand and modernize its facility in East Alton was applauded by area officials who helped make the decision possible with their support. Wieland is a leading global supplier of copper and copper alloy solutions and this provides a certainty that Wieland will be in East Alton for many years to come, offering good-paying jobs and economic growth. East Alton Mayor Darren Carlton beamed with pride at the podium as part of the large ceremony on Wednesday in his city. He said he wanted to thank the multitude of partnerships that helped make this come to fruition. "By everyone working together, it provides another opportunity for Weiland to continue what it has done for last 100-plus years helping provide economic growth for the region and opportunities for many to obtain a good job in the workforce," he said. "We now loo

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EAST ALTON – Governor JB Pritzker made a special visit on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, to join members from Wieland Rolled Products North America and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) with other local leaders and partners to announce a new Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois (REV Illinois) agreement. Wieland announced at the event that it will invest $500 million in modernizing its East Alton facility – one of six across Illinois. The investment, which retains 800 jobs across the state, will enable the company to increase production of critical copper and copper alloy components that are used in electric vehicles (EVs), EV charging infrastructure and renewable energy production while supporting the state’s clean energy economy. The company investments reinforce its long-term commitment to its facilities and the future of advanced manufacturing in Illinois and, most important to this region, the East Alton operation. The

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SPRINGFIELD – Eight Illinois communities will share nearly $2.4 million in grants to expand access to outdoor recreation, Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced today. The grants come from the National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and will be administered by IDNR. The LWCF program can provide up to one-half of a project’s funds, and when combined with the investment of local matching funds will support more than $5.4 million in local park land acquisitions statewide. “IDNR is excited to play a small role in helping these exciting outdoors projects become reality,” said IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie. “Conserving and protecting our land, water, and recreational opportunities is critical ensuring future generations have access to nature and the outdoors.” The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 was enacted to help preserve, develop, and ensure access to outdoor

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07) released the following statement on the Department of Justice’s decision to seek the execution of Payton Gendron, who committed the heinous racially-motivated mass shooting at a Buffalo supermarket in 2022: “Make no mistake: the acts committed by this individual are morally reprehensible. Ten families continue to mourn their loved ones who were murdered on that horrific day in a hate-fueled act of domestic terrorism. In memory of those who lost their lives, we must advance true accountability and healing, and continue to fight against the surge of white supremacy in our country and its stain on our history. However, state-sanctioned killing is not justice. “President Biden made a promise to the American people to stop this barbaric practice. The Justice Department should follow the President’s lead and

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ALTON - People who have cardiac arrests may benefit from CPR, yet many people who witness cardiac arrest do not perform CPR. That’s why OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center (1 St. Anthony’s Way, Alton) is hosting an upcoming first aid and CPR training class so Riverbend area residents are prepared to take action if necessary. The first aid and CPR training class will be held on Wednesday, February 7, 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in the hospital’s Perpetual Help Center and led by a certified instructor. Space is limited and the deadline to register is Monday, February 5. The cost is $65.00/person. Registration can be completed by calling (618) 920-6816 or by email at susiesweetman22@gmail.com . “Knowing CPR and first aid can help save lives,” says Dennis E. Sands, MD, Chief Medical Officer, OSF Saint Anthony’s. “If your child or loved one isn't breathing, knowing how to do CPR could mean the difference between life and death. Emergencies

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ALTON - During their regular meeting on Jan. 16, 2024, the Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education recognized the Optimist Students of the Month for December and January. Alton Middle School (AMS) students Dean Kirkland and Malak Seddati were named the December and January Middle School Optimist Students of the Month, respectively. AMS Principal Dr. Cindy Inman introduced both students and shared a few remarks from their teachers. Dean Kirkland is a seventh grade student at AMS. He plays football and participates in honors and jazz band in addition to the regular AMS band program as a trumpet player. Throughout the fall semester, he received straight As and quickly made a name for himself as a helpful, kind student. “He has shown to his teachers and peers what it means to be a team player both in the classroom and on the field,” Inman said. “Alton Middle School is grateful to have Dean as an example of excellence in our learning community.”

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JERSEYVILLE - Jersey Community High School announced yesterday that Thomas Leslie has been appointed by the Jersey 100 Board of Education as the school’s new principal, effective July 1, 2024. Leslie enters the role after years of rising through the school system ranks from Dean of Students to Assistant Principal and eventually Principal at Jersey Community Middle School. Leslie succeeds former JCHS Principal Dr. Jason Brunaugh, who will now serve as Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Human Resources. Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100 announced the appointment on their Facebook page, sharing more about Leslie and his background in education within District 100: “Mr. Leslie's notable professional journey within the Jersey School District began in 2019 when he served as the Dean of Students at Jersey Community Middle School,” they said. “After completing his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and obtaining a Principal's Endorsemen

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GODFREY - For residents and staff at Asbury Village, the senior living community is all about connection. Located at 5201 Asbury Lane in Godfrey, the Village offers a variety of healthcare services and enrichment opportunities for residents. Anita Martinez, director of Asbury Village, noted that they work in conjunction with local groups like Absolute Health Care Services, Alton Physical Therapy and the North Alton-Godfrey Business Council to provide services for their community members. She said the “Villagers” of Asbury Village make it a great place to live. “In a really beautiful way, if someone needs a helping hand, the residents are there. And if they need something special, our employees are there. And even we have families that look out for one another as well,” she said. “So that’s the beauty of the Village. We’re Villagers.” The Village has a strong community, with frequent activities and events for residents t

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ALTON/GODFREY - Absolute Health Care Services and Asbury Village have teamed up via the North Alton-Godfrey Business Council (NAGBC) to provide healthcare to people across the Riverbend community. Now in its 20th year of business, Absolute Health Care Services helps families navigate Medicare and benefits in addition to providing health services for seniors. The company offers different levels of at-home care, from companionship to housekeeping to complete personal care. “I just had an opening yesterday and the family was amazed that we could run errands or go to the grocery store for them or feed the cat or the dog,” said Debra Ross, owner of Absolute Health Care. “I’m like, ‘Look, we’ll take the load off you guys. You visit your mom and enjoy quality time with her. We’ll run to the grocery store. We’ll prepare the meals. We’ll do meal planning. We can do all that.’ They’re not being a caregiver. They’re

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Overnight Warming Location (OWL) has responded to an announcement by Mayor Art Risavy at the Edwardsville City Council meeting on Jan. 16, 2024. The OWL, located at First Baptist Church in Edwardsville, had been in conflict with the City after Edwardsville issued a citation against the church requiring a Special Use Permit. The citation would fine the church $750 for every night it remained open as a warming location. During the meeting , Risavy announced the city had suspended the citation and clarified that no fines were ever imposed or collected. The OWL responded on their Facebook page. “We gratefully welcome the change in posture from the City of Edwardsville,” the OWL said in their post. “And we remain hopeful that a strong partnership is ahead of us, one that respects the legitimacy of First Baptist Church’s 55-year-old Special Use Permit to use its facility to fulfill the church’s mission. We believe the City

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WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, issued the following statement regarding tonight’s vote to table Senator Sanders’ motion to discharge Senate Resolution 504, requesting information on Israel’s human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961: “These past 100 days have brought painful, unimaginable suffering in Gaza and Israel. I have condemned the brutal terror attacks that Hamas conducted against Israel on October 7 th which shattered the fragile ceasefire that was in place. I have also been vocal with my concerns about the viability of the Netanyahu government’s military strategy in Gaza and the unacceptable humanitarian crisis that innocent civilians in Gaza, including thousands of precious children, have endured. “After careful deliberation, I voted to table the motion to discharge Senate Resolution

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WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, condemned political violence as the United States continues to see a surge in violent threats against public officials and government workers, particularly as we approach the 2024 presidential election. The political violence ranges from death threats to bomb threats at places of work, and some violent threats have escalated into violent acts. During his speech, Durbin noted that the recent spike is due to one source: the grievances of former President Trump. Durbin said, “Just over three years after then-President Trump called his supporters to Washington, D.C., and directed them to this Senate Chamber and Capitol building, where they staged a violent insurrection, his calls for retribution against his perceived enemies continue on an almost daily basis. Recent victims have included the Secretary of State in the state of Maine,

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CHICAGO - 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 new arrivals who have fled their homes to escape violence, political instability, and other threats. The funds will be used for emergency needs

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ALTON - The Rotary Club of the Riverbend Alton/Godfrey recently donated over $2,000 to Riverbend Head Start & Family Services as part of grant funding from Rotary International to support sleep safety for newborns. Through the Early Head Start Home-Based Program, expecting moms receive education about the importance of the proper sleep position for newborns, which is: alone on their backs in a crib. Cribettes, developed by Cribs for Kids®, are distributed to eligible expecting moms in Madison County. “We are pleased to partner with the Rotary Club of the Riverbend Alton/Godfrey club to provide Cribs for Kids® safe sleep kits which provide cribettes and education about the dangers of unsafe sleep environments to expecting moms,” said Gene Howell, President & CEO of Riverbend Head Start & Family Services. “The donation from Riverbend Rotary helps to support 10 sleep kits with English education and 10 sleep kits with education in Spanish. We are certainly appreciativ

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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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