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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today sent a letter to Department of Justice (DOJ) Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche requesting immediate information regarding President Trump’s misuse of taxpayer dollars to line the pockets of January 6 insurrectionists and Trump’s political allies through a nearly $2 billion Department of Justice slush fund. The DOJ and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) settlement

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth joined fellow U.S. Senators Andy Kim (D-NJ), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) along with Afghanistan Veteran Max Rose and VoteVets Veterans to call out Donald Trump for breaking promise after promise to the American people, chastising the President for ensnaring America in yet another expensive war with no clearly defined end-state. Duckworth spoke about the rising costs our servicemembers and Americans are

MADISON COUNTY - Mitchell Fire Department crews responded Wednesday afternoon, May 20, 2026, to a three-vehicle crash with reported entrapment on southbound Interstate 255 south of Interstate 270 near mile marker 30, where an overturned semi-truck tractor-trailer was leaking fuel, and one patient was later airlifted from the scene. The Mitchell Fire Department said it was dispatched at approximately 1:32 p.m. on May 20, 2026, to the crash site. Responding units were advised that

SPRINGFIELD — Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) and Representative Kevin Schmidt (114th-Millstadt) today announced the passage of two bills focused on government transparency and supporting Illinois veterans. House Bill 2137 requires local governments that already maintain a public website to post information directing residents to where audit and financial reports can be accessed through the Illinois Comptroller’s Office. “Taxpayers deserve easy access to information

ALTON/GODFREY - The Early Childhood Center in the Alton Community Unit School District #11 has resources for all kids ages birth through 5. The center offers a preschool program for kids ages 3–5, but they also have in-home services for expectant parents, newborns and toddlers. Principal Cindy Schuenke noted that their goal is to support these families and prepare their children to enter kindergarten. “We’re here just to support parents and families and make sure that

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will receive $295,551,000 in grant funding to help get lead out of our state’s drinking water by substantially boosting the state’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) for this purpose. This funding is made possible through Duckworth’s water provisions in the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure

SPRINGFIELD – Congrats, Grad! The Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) applauds your remarkable achievements this commencement season. Graduating is a major milestone filled with pride, excitement, unforgettable memories, and new opportunities ahead. Of course, an accomplishment this special calls for a celebration! As families and friends gather to honor the Class of 2026, we encourage parents, guardians, relatives, and loved ones to plan ahead for a memorable, safe, and alcohol-free

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that lanes that have been closed for construction will reopen, where possible, for the Memorial Day weekend to minimize travel disruption. Non-emergency closures will be suspended from 3 p.m. Friday, May 22, to 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 25, 2026. The following lane closures will remain in place during the holiday weekend. The public can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through these areas. Drivers

GODFREY – Godfrey residents will soon be surveyed on what they want to see in a future recreation center. Erin Morris with AAIC, the architectural firm chosen to lead the rec reation center project , gave Village Board members an update on May 18, 2026 regarding the firm’s six-phase plan to develop the facility from concept to construction. These six phases include concept planning and programming, master planning, schematic design, design development, construction documents,

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sgt. Jason Sandidge and Deputy Jordan Felax from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office traveled to Washington, D.C., this past week to take part in National Police Week, joining officers from across the country in honoring law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty, according to a statement from the sheriff’s office. The sheriff’s office said the trip was an opportunity to “remember and pay tribute to the law enforcement officers

GRANITE CITY - Three members of the Granite City Police Department attended National Police Week in Washington last week, where they joined events honoring fallen officers, met House Speaker Mike Johnson at the U.S. Capitol, and escorted families during a memorial ceremony. Sgt. Eric Stacy, Detective William Temple, and Officer Doug Nicoson took part in the week’s events as guests of Linsey and Chloe Timmins, according to the Granite City Police Department. During the visit,

GRANITE CITY/EDWARDSVILLE - A Granite City man was sentenced Wednesday, May 20, 2026, to 15 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of breaking into an ex-girlfriend’s home in Granite City and attacking a police officer who responded, Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced on Thursday, May 21, 2026. Associate Judge Emily Nielsen sentenced Victor S. Dantzson, 52, to the Illinois Department of Corrections, according to Haine’s announcement. Dantzson previously

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Cardinals said Wednesday, May 20, 2026, that they have created an official “Tarps Off” fan section in the upper right-field bleachers at Busch Stadium, formalizing a high-energy cheering area inspired by a shirtless-fan movement that emerged at recent games. Starting Wednesday night, May 20, 2026, any fan in the ballpark, regardless of seat location, can join the section, the team said in a statement announcing the move. The Cardinals described

GLEN CARBON/EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Board did not vote on a motion to grant a special use permit to Trentino Solar, LLC, to develop a commercial solar energy facility in Glen Carbon. During the Board’s regular meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, several representatives with Trentino Solar and a volunteer with the Illinois Solar Education Association spoke in favor of the project during the public comments section of the meeting. Keith Morrell, the project manager with Trentino

A room can feel larger, safer, and more hopeful the moment sunlight reaches it. Nothing about the walls has changed, yet people often do. That simple shift tells us something important: daylight does more than help us see. It can change mood, attention, energy, risk-taking, social behavior, and even how we judge other people. We tend to think of behavior as driven by personality, habits, or choice. Those things matter. But the amount of natural light around us also pushes the mind and body i

On May 21, one of the most significant events in global history took place in 1927, when Charles Lindbergh landed in Paris after completing the first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean. His journey from New York to France lasted more than 33 hours and showed that long-distance air travel was no longer just an experiment. At the time, the flight captured worldwide attention because it proved that aircraft could connect continents in a direct and practical way. It still matters today

EDWARDSVILLE - Lisa Allen, a Title I reading teacher at Leclaire School in Edwardsville, was named the winner of the Equity Advocate Award at the 2026 District #7 Awards Banquet, according to award information and comments from colleagues and students. The award recognizes Allen for her work to create “a school environment where every student feels welcomed, respected, and represented.” The award information said Allen is “a steadfast champion for equity and inclusion”

O’FALLON, IL. – A man who started his career in law enforcement at the Belleville Police Department – David P. Jordan – was identified as the person who died after being struck by a vehicle late Tuesday night, March 19, 2026, in the 200 block of Wesclin Road, near Trenton. Jordan was transported with head and chest injuries to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, IL., where he succumbed to his injuries, Clinton County Sheriff Dan Travous said today. “Dave

NEW FLORENCE, MO. - Google announced Wednesday, May 20, 2026, a $15 billion investment to build a data center in New Florence, Mo., a project state officials said will create thousands of jobs, expand local infrastructure capacity, and support energy affordability programs in Montgomery County and beyond. The planned facility will be built in Montgomery County in New Florence, about 20 miles west of Warrenton along Interstate 70, next to an approved $35 billion data center run by Amazon, according

MADISON COUNTY - Illinois State Police Troop 8 responded to a three-vehicle crash with reported injuries on the southbound Interstate 255 at Gateway Commerce Drive in Madison County at about 3:32 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, 2026. The three-vehicle crash shut down all southbound lanes, and the ISP diverted traffic from the area. Preliminary information from Illinois State Police indicates injuries were reported, though no additional details were immediately available. "All southbound lanes of IL-255