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ALTON – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that U.S. 67 at the Clark Bridge will be reduced to one lane in each direction on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, weather permitting, for bridge maintenance. The lane closures will be limited to off-peak hours. All lanes will be open during peak hours from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. southbound and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. northbound. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged

SPRINGFIELD - Ahead of Labor Day, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, labor leaders, and state legislators on Thursday highlighted a new law that will allow him to make investments to build more affordable housing. Senate Bill 3086 , which passed with bipartisan support in late May, allows Treasurer Frerichs to invest in the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust. The fund focuses on building and preserving affordable and workforce housing, creating union construction jobs, and fostering

EDWARDSVILLE — Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, the College of Arts and Sciences and Black Studies will host a free public screening of the documentary film “A Black History Tour of St. Louis” on Monday, Oct. 26, in Dunham Hall Theater, 1 Hairpin Drive, to celebrate local art, history and diverse voices. The event will begin with a Black Studies welcome reception at 4:45 p.m. and is open to the SIUE student body, faculty, staff and Metro East communities. “A

GODFREY — A pedestrian died early Saturday after being struck by a train in Godfrey, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office said. The sheriff’s office was called to the scene at around 5:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, after a person was struck by a train, Madison County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Marcos Pulido said. Pulido said a preliminary investigation found that the train had just crossed the Tolle Lane railroad crossing when, about one-third of a mile beyond it,

CAHOKIA HEIGHTS — The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis was activated Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, at the request of Cahokia Heights Police Chief Thomas Trice after officers responding to a report of shots fired found two juveniles shot in the 800 block of Saint William Drive in Cahokia Heights, St. Clair County. Officers with the Cahokia Heights Police Department responded at approximately 1:35 a.m. Sept. 5, 2026. A 17-year-old victim was pronounced deceased at the scene, and a 16-year-old

WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) pressed U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Deputy Secretary Paul Lawrence during a House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing on the VA’s plans to give Oracle an additional $17 billion for the Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program. Budzinski, who has been overseeing the VA’s EHRM program as Ranking Member of the Technology Modernization Subcommittee, questioned the growing cost of the Department’s

ALTON - On two recent episodes of “According to Jama and Nikki,” the hosts welcomed Isaac Sandidge to talk about mental health. “According to Jama and Nikki” is a weekly podcast on RiverBender.com where Jama Fabry and Nikki Fiedler have candid conversations about life and community. They were joined by Sandidge, a Mental Health First Aid trainer and founder of Mental Health First Aid Illinois , to discuss the value of mental health conversations and interventions.

EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville Police Chief Michael Fillback will retire Oct. 2, 2026, after 30 years with the department, and he expressed his sincere gratitude to the city staff, elected officials, and everyone who believed in him and supported him throughout his career. “This decision has not come easily, as I have spent most of my life serving the Edwardsville community," Fillback said. "My wife and I raised our children here, and we are proud to continue calling Edwardsville our

GODFREY - OSF OnCall and Vitality Women’s Clinic have teamed up to provide free support to community members in need. OSF OnCall regularly brings resources to Vitality in Godfrey. As a faith-based, pro-life pregnancy center, Vitality supports new parents and individuals experiencing unplanned pregnancies with free pregnancy and STI tests, free ultrasounds, parenting classes and more. Executive Director Jackie Dutie noted the importance of teaming up with groups like OSF OnCall to expand

ALTON - The first of the Fall 2026 Piasa Palisades Group Speaker’s Series will be held on September 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Old Bakery Beer Co. in Alton, IL. The public is invited for an in-depth discussion on the benefits and challenges to local communities of adding utility-scale solar to the state’s energy mix. Speakers will discuss the impressive grid support offered by Battery Energy Storage Systems and innovative projects from around the state. Three speakers will lead an engaging

EDWARDSVILLE - SIUE, the College of Arts and Sciences and the University Museum proudly announce that the University Museum has been awarded a federal grant for $200,427 from the Institute for Museum and Library Services to work on Stage IV of the Museum Collections Inventory Project! Executive Curator for SIUE's University Museum, Erin Vigneau-Dimick, served as the sole grant writer for the University Museum. The federal Institute for Museum and Library Services offers multiple annual grant

COLLINSVILLE - Collinsville High School graduate Bryan Kitley ('74) is giving back to the Kahok community in honor of his late wife and encourages others to invest locally. Through his philanthropy with the Collinsville Area Community Foundation, Kitley established a new scholarship and helped fund the Diamonds for Kahoks future athletic complex. The Karyn Kitley Memorial Scholarship The Karyn Kitley Memorial Scholarship honors Bryan’s wife, a dedicated educator and Speech-Language Pathologist

CHICAGO – Heading into Labor Day weekend, Attorney General Kwame Raoul highlighted a report detailing actions his office has taken during the past year to advocate for and protect Illinois workers. The Attorney General’s Workplace Rights Bureau was codified in state statute in 2020 and has since launched more than 115 investigations, resulting in the recovery of more than $30 million in owed wages and restitution for workers and penalties on cases involving wage theft, misclassification,

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), led 97 Members of Congress in a letter to Postmaster General David P. Steiner, calling on him to revoke a Postal Service rule that codifies President Trump's Executive Order targeting vote-by-mail. In the letter, the lawmakers argue the rule addresses a problem that doesn't exist. They point to a 2025 Brookings Institution study finding an

CHICAGO — A Braidwood resident’s birthday celebration became a million-dollar milestone after he won a $1 million Lotto jackpot from a lottery ticket gifted to him by a friend at his birthday party. The winning ticket was purchased at Gas N Wash, 1951 E. Laraway Rd. in New Lenox, and given to him as a birthday gift. "My wife planned a party for my big day," said the winner, who opted to remain anonymous. "One of my friends handed me an envelope with some scratch-offs inside.

HARDIN — Tommy R. Thompson, 38, of Godfrey, Illinois, pleaded guilty June 30 to the amended offense of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a Class 1 felony, after a Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office investigation that began with a Dec. 18, 2025, complaint of child sexual assault, authorities said. Under a negotiated plea agreement presented to Judge Charles HW Burch, Thompson was sentenced to eight years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, with credit for 183 days served in pretrial

COLLINSVILLE — Illinois State Police Troop 8 issued 29 citations and arrests during a roadside safety check held in Madison County in August, Troop 8 Commander Capt. Casey Faro announced. The roadside safety check was conducted to keep roads safe by taking dangerous DUI offenders off the road, according to Illinois State Police. The project was funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation. Enforcement activity included one driving under the influence citation, one other alcohol

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — For 17 Madison County residents, the Problem Solving Court has become a pathway to a new career, offering a full-circle opportunity to help others. Probation officers referred the residents to a behavioral health workforce training program operated by Southern Illinois University School of Medicine’s Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development. They are among 20 adults participating in the nine-month program, which prepares people with lived

BETHALTO - The 107th annual Bethalto Homecoming kicks off this weekend and promises several days of fun. Starting from 6–10 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, and running through Monday, Sept. 7, the event features a carnival by Luehrs’ Ideal Rides, live music, vendors and more. All proceeds benefit the Bethalto Fire Department, and President Derek Mormino hopes people enjoy the experience. “We’re doing the best we can to put on this event for the community, and hopefully,

SPRINGFIELD –The Illinois Optometric Association (IOA) has named State Senator Sue Rezin as its 2026 Legislator of the Year for her outstanding contributions to the IOA. Senator Rezin was honored during the IOA's 2026 Annual Meeting for her advocacy on behalf of Illinois patients and optometrists, including her strong support of Senate Bill 3707, legislation that increases transparency and accountability within the vision benefit manager industry while helping protect patients and independent