CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker’s education initiatives have led Illinois to a record-high completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. The state now ranks #2 nationally for FAFSA completion. In 2019, Gov. Pritzker signed into law a statewide FAFSA mandate , which requires Illinois public high school students to complete a financial aid application or submit a waiver. In 2025, Gov. Pritzker enacted legislation requiring public high schools to have a
GODFREY - Jessica Eardley is proud to be a new American Family Insurance agent in the Riverbend area. Eardley took over Gerard Fischer’s Godfrey office in February after Fischer’s retirement. She noted that it’s been “a whirlwind,” but a lot of fun to get to know the community and develop relationships with her clients. “I’m meeting a lot of new people, which is great, and reconnecting with the community, with those I’ve known in the past,
ALTON – Tonight marks a special meeting of the Alton City Council to discuss possible litigation between the city and Mayor David Goins. A special meeting has been scheduled for 6 p.m. on Aug. 5, 2026 in the City Council chambers at Alton City Hall. The meeting was requested by Aldermen Michael Velloff, Patty Ford, and Martha Pfister. Follow the discussion and possible action on these agenda items live on Riverbender.com/video/live , and stay tuned to Riverbender.com for the latest
EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Sheriff’s Office said it issued 26 speeding citations during a July 2026 traffic safety campaign in Madison County, Illinois, part of a broader speed enforcement effort aimed at reducing highway fatalities. The campaign was conducted throughout July by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and other state and local law enforcement agencies across Illinois, according to the sheriff’s office. The agency said the effort was intended to
Founders Week, Rock the Hops Lead Weekend Events Around the Riverbend From community celebrations and live music to markets, movies, crafts and family activities, the Riverbend area has a busy weekend ahead. For the complete calendar of upcoming happenings, visit RiverBender.com Events . Jersey County Founders Week continues Friday, Aug. 7, at Jerseyville City Center Plaza as the Jersey County Business Association, in conjunction with the City of Jerseyville, celebrates 187 years of Jersey
MILLSTADT - Millstadt Ambulance Service said a motor vehicle crash with injuries and reported entrapment near Illinois Route 15 and South 11th Street in Millstadt injured nine people Sunday evening, Aug. 2, 2026, prompting a mass casualty response that sent multiple agencies to the scene. The ambulance service said the crash occurred around 8 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, near the intersection of Route 15 and South 11th Street. It reported that the incident involved at least two vehicles
ST. LOUIS - Accident Reconstruction investigators are examining a fatal two-vehicle crash in St. Louis’ Kingsway East neighborhood that killed one person and injured four others Tuesday evening, Aug. 4, 2026, according to a preliminary investigation. Police said the crash happened at about 7:20 p.m. Aug. 4, 2026, at the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King Drive and North Euclid Avenue. Investigators said a BMW 330i traveling westbound on Dr. Martin Luther King Drive violated a stop
WOOD RIVER - OSF Medical Group has opened a new primary care facility in Wood River, and Dr. Isha McConkey and Lisa Reid, APRN, can’t wait to provide care for you and your family. Located at 1853 Vaughn Road in Wood River, the new primary care facility will see all patients over age 2. While not technically a prompt care clinic, the facility offers same-day appointments as well as family medicine services, including well visits and sports physicals. McConkey and Reid agreed that the
SPRINGFIELD – Community members can learn about volunteer opportunities at the Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site in Springfield during a volunteer open house from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20. The open house will introduce prospective volunteers to a variety of opportunities at one of the largest and oldest homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the United States. Volunteers are needed to serve as docents, assist with site beautification projects, and help with special events throughout
CHICAGO – On the first day Illinois voters can apply to vote by mail in the November general election, Attorney General Kwame Raoul launched an election resource hub on his office’s website to help educate voters on their rights and options for voting. It has been the longstanding practice of the Attorney General’s office to monitor elections in Illinois to ensure that voters’ rights are protected and polling places are accessible. “Free and fair elections are th
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today questioned witnesses at Senator Mazie Hirono’s (D-HI) spotlight forum entitled “Breaking the Promise: How Relocating the IDEA Will Be Detrimental to Students and Families.” During the forum, Durbin sounded the alarm on the Trump Administration’s plans to shuffle the Department of Education’s (ED) Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) to the Department of Health and Human
EDWARDSVILLE — State Senator Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) sponsored legislation recently signed into law to strengthen transparency and accountability in Department of Children & Family Service (DCFS) investigations involving allegations of child abuse or neglect. “DCFS has repeatedly failed Illinois children and families, and a lack of transparency only makes those failures worse,” said Senator Plummer. “When the state makes a determination in a child abuse or neglect
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dave McCormick (R-PA) introduced the Transit for Urban Renewal and Business Opportunities Act ( TURBO Act ), legislation that would expand and modernize a key federal financing tool used by state and local governments to deliver critical transportation infrastructure through public-private partnerships. “Far too often, roads that need repaving and transportation facilities that need revamping are left unfixed because states
On August 5, 1963, the United States, the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom signed the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in Moscow, a major step in easing Cold War tensions. The agreement banned nuclear weapon tests in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater, though it still allowed underground testing. At the time, the treaty mattered because people around the world feared radioactive fallout and the growing risk of nuclear war. It still matters today because it showed that even rival superpower
GODFREY – Godfrey trustees took action this week to stop any data centers from being proposed in the village until at least 2027 . Village Board members unanimously approved a resolution which extends the village’s previous moratorium on data center applications by another 180 days, or six months. The newly approved pause will last until Jan. 31, 2027. Trustee Rick Lauschke said village officials should use this extended time to talk about the issue in depth, learn the facts
EAST ST. LOUIS - A 15-year-old was taken into custody in connection with a homicide investigation after a body was found in the roadway late Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in East St. Louis, according to Illinois State Police. At about 10:02 p.m. Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, the East St. Louis Police Department responded to the area of 76th Street and State Street after a report of a body in the roadway, state police said. Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 6 Public Safety Enforcement
ALTON/GODFREY - Teachers in the Alton Community Unit School District #11 held a special shopping trip to prepare for the upcoming school year. On Monday, Aug. 3, and Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, certified teachers received $150 each to buy school supplies at Walmart in Godfrey. Superintendent Elaine Kane explained that the goal was to give teachers the support they need to be successful and build comfortable classrooms for students. “We know that our teachers spend a lot of money out of
Letter To The Editor: The strength of any legislative body is measured not only by the decisions it makes, but by the fairness of the process that leads to those decisions. Public confidence depends upon the expectation that every elected official is afforded the same opportunity to participate meaningfully in the work of governing. As the Alton City Council convenes for a special meeting on Wednesday night regarding legal expenses associated with Mayor David Goins’ Temporary Restraining
O’FALLON, Ill. – A local man accused of escaping from custody while serving a sentence for domestic battery faces his latest felony charge in Madison County. Cory A. Gehrs, 35, of O’Fallon, Ill., was charged on July 24, 2026 with a Class 3 felony count of escape. Gehrs, who had previously been convicted of domestic battery and sentenced to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, allegedly knowingly failed to return to the custody of the Madison County Jail befor
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Revity Credit Union said it raised $44,984 for the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight through its 10th Annual Tee Up Fore Veterans Golf Tournament at Stonewolf Golf Club in Fairview Heights, helping fund trips for veterans to visit memorials in Washington. The event, held in Fairview Heights, brought together local businesses, golfers, volunteers and supporters to benefit the nonprofit, which transports veterans to Washington, D.C., to see memorials dedicated to their service
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