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SWANSEA – State Senator Christopher Belt announced 31 public libraries and school districts across the Metro East are set to receive more than $800,000 for library services, enhanced programming and construction and security upgrades. “Libraries are places where no one is turned away,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Whether you seek knowledge or a place to feel a part of something, libraries will always be there to help you along the way.” More than $27 million was awarded

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee; U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Border Security and Immigration; U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee; and U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement,

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul led a coalition of 17 attorneys general in opposing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to allow construction to begin at major sources of air pollution without first obtaining a New Source Review (NSR) permit. An NSR permit is a pre-construction air pollution permit that ensures industrial facilities, factories and power plants install modern pollution controls when they are newly built or undergo major modifications.

Gov. Pritzker’s Statement on Supreme Court’s Birthright Citizenship Decision CHICAGO – Today, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s Trump v. Barbara decision striking down President Trump’s illegal executive order attempting to reverse birthright citizenship: “Today the Supreme Court sided with the Constitution. Since the Fourteenth Amendment was ratified in 1868, the Constitution has left little to the

View a video message from Secretary Giannoulias SPRINGFIELD – As federal immigration activity intensifies once again in Illinois, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is urging residents to immediately report any vehicle displaying altered, obscured, missing or unlawfully switched license plates, warning that plate tampering is illegal under Illinois law, regardless of who commits it. The Secretary of State’s office is encouraging anyone who witnesses potential violations

EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Municipal Band will mark the July 4 holiday with two free performances this week in Edwardsville as part of the city’s weeklong 250th celebration, including a Thursday concert and a Saturday performance ahead of the annual fireworks display. The band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 2, in a concert to “CELEBRATE THE SEMIQUINCENTENIAL,” according to event information. The program is described as honoring “our shared heritage and

EDWARDSVILLE - In a Facebook post, Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Superintendent Dr. Allen Duncan Jr. confirmed there was a partial ceiling collapse at Lincoln Middle School. On Tuesday, June 30, 2026, reports of a ceiling collapse at Lincoln Middle School came in between 9–9:30 a.m. Lincoln Middle School is undergoing a planned summer renovation as part of its abatement project. Five people were in the vicinity when the collapse happened, but two refused medical

ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp on Tuesday sentenced a felon who fatally shot someone in a barbershop in 2023 to 125 months in prison. Nolan Ryan Thomas, now 34, pleaded guilty in March in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He admitted that on Nov. 10, 2023, St. Louis County police were called to a barbershop in the 11600 block of West Florissant Avenue, where a patron had been shot in the leg. Police found

ST. LOUIS — Experts are warning that dangerously high temperatures are headed to the Greater St. Louis area over the next week. With Fourth of July celebrations and World Cup events in full swing, the American Red Cross urges everyone to take three critical actions to stay safe: Stay hydrated by drinking a cup of water every 20 minutes, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks. Stay cool by spending time in air-conditioned places. If your

QUINCY, Ill. - Quincy University released its Dean's List for the Spring 2026 semester. Honorees must earn a semester grade point average of at least 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) to be included in the biannual Dean's List. In total, 402 students received the honor during the Spring 2026 semester, including the following students from the Riverbend area: Carrollton, IL Hannah Uhles Godfrey, IL Ava Certa Alyssa Marquis Founded in 1860 by Franciscan friars, Quincy University is a small

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - An Illinois law led by state Sen. Cristina Castro will permanently allow cocktails to-go and create a new path for small distilleries to self-distribute spirits, after Gov. JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 618 into law Friday. The measure takes effect July 1, 2026. The law makes permanent a temporary policy allowing licensed bars and restaurants in Illinois to sell cocktails and mixed drinks for delivery and curbside pickup, a practice widely known as cocktails to-go. It also

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement throughout the state are reminding the public: Whether you’re drinking alcohol, using cannabis or under the influence of other drugs, if you get behind the wheel, you’ll face the consequences. During the Fourth of July “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, zero tolerance will be shown for those driving impaired. “Driving impaired is not a game

CHICAGO — Attorney General Kwame Raoul today issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Trump v. Barbara. “Birthright citizenship was not a right solely created by amending the Constitution, as America’s tradition of birthright citizenship predates the 14th Amendment and the abolition of slavery in the United States. The notion that this decision wasn’t unanimous is disappointing, given the plain language of the 14th Amendment.

EDWARDSVILLE - Two vehicles, a white Chevy Cruze and a black Cadillac SUV, collided around 9:20 p.m. Sunday, June 28, 2026, at Troy Road and Governor's Parkway in Edwardsville, and one driver was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. "One driver was transported to an area hospital for further evaluation with non-life-threatening injuries," City of Edwardsville spokesperson Cathy Hensley said for the Edwardsville Police Department. Hensley said both vehicles were towed from

ALTON - The Alton Police Department on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, recognized George and Donna Salof for what it described as their continued generosity and support of the department and the Alton community. George and Donna are definite Difference Makers in their community. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said the Salofs have supported numerous Alton Police Department projects and initiatives over the years. "Their contributions have helped strengthen the new police range, the department’

SPRINGFIELD – Multiple recent social media posts have falsely claimed a new “Tire Tax” is going into effect across Illinois on July 1, 2026. Records from the Illinois General Assembly tell a different story. “The legislation was sponsored and passed by Illinois Democrats and signed into law by JB Pritzker and will become law on July 1st,” one post reads . “You will see an increase in prices starting Wednesday.” The posts cite Illinois Senate Bill

EDWARDSVILLE - A ceiling collapsed on Tuesday morning, June 30, 2026, during a construction project at Lincoln Middle School in Edwardsville, sending two people to an area hospital for evaluation, according to city and fire officials. Cathy Hensley, a communications staff member for the City of Edwardsville, said she spoke with an Edwardsville Fire Department captain just after 10 a.m. on Tuesday, who reported the collapse happened between 9 and 9:30 a.m. on June 30, 2026, at the middle school

ST. LOUIS - A 10-year-old charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of his 7-month-old niece in St. Louis will remain in Missouri’s juvenile justice system because state law does not allow children that young to be prosecuted as adults, court officials said. The shooting happened Friday night, June 26, 2026, at a home on North Broadway in St. Louis, where police said the infant was shot and killed. The 22nd Circuit Court confirmed that the 10-year-old is currently in the hospita

ALTON - As summer continues, the Hayner Public Library District has several events and programs planned for the next few months, including a patriotic concert later this week. On Friday, July 3, 2026, you can kick off Fourth of July weekend with a celebration in the parking lot of the downtown library. From 3–4 p.m., families can enjoy crafts, outdoor games, popsicles, face-painting, and a public reading of the Declaration of Independence. This will be followed by a concert from the

GRANITE CITY - Granite City Firefighters Local 253 has introduced two new firefighters, Travis Bernardino and Mason Roehr, who were sworn in in the City Council chambers by City Clerk Jenna DeYong. The ceremony in Granite City included family, friends and city officials, including Fire Chiefs Todd Richey and Scott Nonn, Mayor Mike Parkinson, and Fire Commissioners Steve Nonn and Larry Gavilsky, along with other city employees, according to information provided by the department.