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CHICAGO - Today Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), state and local leaders at the Will Group to announce $10 million in funding for the Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment (OE3) Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program to help small businesses achieve sustainable growth, improve efficiency, and create and retain jobs through capital improvements. This grant program is designed around equity to uplift businesses owned by historically underrepresented groups and very small businesses with fewer than 10 employees. “Creating economic opportunity for diverse and small businesses demonstrates our commitment to investing in all of our people and growing the economy,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “In communities across Illinois, small businesses are sustaining quality jobs, anchoring downtowns and commercial districts, providing vital goods and services, playing an integral role in supply chains,

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WOOD RIVER - Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Eagles of the Month” program at Civic Memorial High School. Senior students are selected each month by members of the Civic Memorial faculty to represent each department. All students are awarded a certificate and a Subway gift card. Two Seniors (one female student and one male student) that were selected each month will have the opportunity to compete for a $500 “Eagles of the Year” scholarship each at the end of the school year. 2024 December’s Eagles of the Month winners: Math - Stephen Henson Visual Arts - Brailey Harrop Social Studies - Kaylea Falk P.E./Health - John Wallace Choir - McKenzie Martin Band - Madeline Wood Science - Bryce McArthur English - Myleigh Erwin C.T.E. - Sawyer Meyer Teacher of the Month winners: Dan Carlson - Physical Education Congratulations to all the Civic Memorial “Eagles of the Month” and the “Teacher of the Month!”

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MADISON COUNTY — A police chase concluded without incident on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, according to East Alton Police Chief Scott Golike. The pursuit, which involved multiple law enforcement jurisdictions, ended on Buchta Road in Madison County, where traffic was temporarily halted. East Alton Chief Golike reported that the chase was traffic-related and noted that the vehicle involved had been in a crash before the pursuit. The damage displayed was not new. As of 4:17 p.m. on Thursday, Buchta Road remained closed while authorities continued their investigation. Chief Golike stated that more information would be released as the situation develops. A subject is in custody.

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GODFREY - St. Ambrose Catholic School has released its second quarter honor roll. 2024-2025 4th Grade High Honor Roll Colton French Sophie Hoefert Hunter Johnson Cayla Kory 4th Grade Honor Roll Chrisley Bechtold Lucas Lacy Leo Noss Reid Pruetzel Ella Schroeder Lily Yemm 5th Grade High Honor Roll Miles Schroeder 5th Grade Honor Roll Elijah Baird Tucker Eberlin James Erwin Holly Franklin Kamryn Hollinger Audrina Klasner Alysa Kochan Jackson Lacy Maizy McCahill William Monahan Eileen Rodriguez-Frias 6th Grade High Honor Roll Danica Dornes Finn Kane Lydia Lara Caroline Morrissey 6th Grade Honor Roll Stella Copple Charles Droste Rylan Estes Charlotte Hendrickson Emma Kory Neal Pichee Liam Rose Finn Stephan Isla Stevenson Thomas Stirnaman Ryan Terry Cameron Weirich 7th Grade High Honor Roll Piper Adams Erin Crawford Kayli Jacobs Leon Kerkemeyer Charlotte Kohl Parker Williams Laken Wong 7th Grade Honor Roll Nata

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ALTON - During their regular meeting on Jan. 21, 2025, the Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education recognized Sarah Magary-Burns, the recipient of the Emerson Excellence in Education Award. The Emerson Company recognizes over 100 teachers every year in the St. Louis metropolitan area, from kindergarten teachers to college professors. Alton Superintendent Elaine Kane commended Magary-Burns for the hard work she demonstrates every day. “Let me tell you, Sarah does not like attention. Nothing about what she does is to get attention or recognition,” Kane said. “We’re going to put her on the spot here because she deserves it, and it’s really important because she represents excellence in the profession. We have so many teachers here to celebrate, and she is an excellent representative of the work that we do here in Alton.” Magary-Burns currently teaches second grade at North Elementary School. In the past, she has taught at

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EAST ALTON — A cooking fire on the fifth floor of "The Olin Home" prompted a swift response from the East Alton Fire Department at approximately 2:06 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. Fire crews were dispatched to the location at 310 Smith Ave. following reports of a fire alarm activation. Upon arrival, firefighters from Engine 4311 and WR Truck 4233 found no visible signs of fire from the exterior of the building. However, the building's alarm system indicated multiple activations on the fifth floor. Firefighters quickly located the source of the alarm, identifying a cooking fire in an apartment with significant smoke present. East Alton Fire Chief Tim Quigley said he appreciated the response of his department's firefighters and all the others involved, including the Roxana and Wood River fire departments. He said his firefighters are used to working in high-rise situations because there are two in East Alton. The chief also said he greatly appreciated the assistance of

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CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today the opening of the next round of funding for the Illinois Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate Program. The General Assembly appropriated up to $14 million to Illinois EPA for the EV Rebate program for the current fiscal year. Rebates will be issued to eligible applicants subject to availability of funds. “Through our nation-leading Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, the Illinois Electric Vehicle Rebate Program is making EV ownership more accessible and affordable for Illinoisans,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “A clean energy future depends on ensuring sustainable technology is within reach for everyone, and my administration is committed to making that a reality. From EV rebates to workforce programs that support clean energy jobs, we’re positioning Illinois as a leader in the fight against climate change.” “Through the Illinois Electric Vehicle Rebat

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ST. LOUIS, MO. — The American Red Cross encourages donors to give blood or platelets now to help protect the blood supply from the ongoing impact of severe winter weather and wildfires. Donors of all blood types – particularly type O negative blood donors and those giving platelets – are needed to help save lives this month . As dangerous snow and ice continue to sweep across the country, and wildfires in Southern California continue to burn and impact air quality, Red Cross blood drive cancellations have grown into the hundreds. Collectively, this has resulted in about 15,000 uncollected blood and platelet donations in January. More winter storms are forecast for this week − including in areas of the U.S. that do not typically experience significant snowfall − which could further strain the blood supply. Additionally, hazardous weather conditions have the potential to make it tougher to move vital blood products across the Red Cross network,

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CHICAGO – Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) announced today that disaster tax relief will be available for individuals and businesses in southern California affected by the wildfires and straight-line winds that began on Jan 7, 2025. Affected taxpayers now have until October 15, 2025, to file various state individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. "My administration is committed to supporting those communities across southern California as they recover from the extensive damage caused by the wildfires,” said Governor JB Pritzker. "Residents who live or have businesses in the affected areas won't need to worry about incurring penalties and interest on their tax deadlines until October. This additional time will allow them to gather essential paperwork without added stress." IDOR is offering relief to any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) . Currently, individuals and households that reside

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CHICAGO - The State of Illinois African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission (ADCRC) announces the fourth stop on its nine-part series of statewide public hearings. ADCRC is hosting public hearings to discuss reparatory actions for Black Americans in Illinois who are descendants of American Chattel Slavery. The next public hearing will take place in Evanston on Saturday, February 8, at Northwestern University. For those unable to attend in person, the hearing will be livestreamed on the ADCRC YouTube page: www.YouTube.com/@IllinoisADCRC . Through these public hearings, the commission aims to gather vital recommendations on reparations from the general public for policymakers and key stakeholders. Featured speakers—including Robin Rue Simmons, Nick Cummings, and Afrika Porter—will present the intergenerational impact of Housing Segregation, Separate and Unequal Education, and Racism in Environment & Infrastructure. Subsequent hearings will occur throughout Illinois

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ALTON - Community members and elected officials gathered at City Hall for the unveiling of a historic painting. On Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, Chair of the Alton Historical Commission Douglas Bader and Third Ward Alderman Ray Strebel unveiled the painting in its new spot on the second floor of City Hall. The painting of the Lucy Haskell Playhouse, done by artist and preservationist Ruth Means, is freshly restored thanks to the help of the Alton community. “It’s amazing because when I found it, I thought it was a death sentence,” Strebel said. “For it to sit on the wall this quick and the support of the community is kind of overwhelming. I’m so happy that it’s done.” A few months ago, Strebel discovered the painting in storage at City Hall. It had four rips in the canvas and the paint was beginning to flake off. He contacted Bader, and the two of them were faced with a decision. “We really had a choice at that point: either stic

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STEVENS POINT, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point honored more than 2,600 undergraduate students for attaining high grade point averages during the fall semester of the 2024-2025 academic year. Edwardsville's Madison Ruklic earned the Highest Honors recognition for the fall. Full-time undergraduates who earned grade points of 3.90 to 4.0 (4.0 equals straight A) are given the highest honors designation. High honor citations go to those with grade point averages from 3.75 to 3.89 and honor recognition is accorded to those with grade point averages from 3.50 to 3.74. Personalized certificates of scholastic achievement are sent to those who earned highest honors distinction.

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SPRINGFIELD — Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS), a leading Catholic health ministry with operations in Illinois and Wisconsin, announced today that Leanne M. Yanni, MD, MHCM, FACP, has been named President and CEO of Illinois Physician Enterprise for HSHS. Dr. Yanni will begin March 17. In this role, Dr. Yanni will have strategic and operational responsibility for HSHS Medical Group, Prairie Cardiovascular, Physician Clinical Integration Network, LLC (PCIN), HSHS ACO, LLC, and Prairie Education & Research Cooperative (PERC). Dr. Yanni is a collaborative physician executive with over 20 years of progressive leadership experience in navigating change and transformation in matrixed organizations. She comes to HSHS from the Bon Secours Mercy Health (BSMH) system, where she most recently served as the Market Ambulatory Chief Medical Officer for the Bon Secours Richmond Market in Richmond, Virginia, with seven hospitals and 400 employed providers. Concurrently, she has been serving

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, today introduced the bipartisan Drug-price Transparency for Consumers (DTC) Act , a bill that would require price disclosures on advertisements for prescription drugs in order to empower patients and reduce Americans’ colossal spending on medications. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found that prescription drugs advertised directly to consumers accounted for 58 percent of Medicare’s spending on drugs between 2016 and 2018, while a 2023 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that two-thirds of advertised drugs offered “low therapeutic value.” By requiring direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertisements for prescription drugs to include a disclosure of the list price, patients can make informed choices when inundated with drug commercials and pharmaceutical

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ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones released the “State of Public Safety 2025” report, highlighting the all-hands-on-deck approach that has led to the lowest number of homicides in the City of St. Louis since 2013, a 15% reduction in all crime, and a clearance rate far outpacing the national average. “This report gives the public a clear understanding of our crime reduction efforts and goes into detail about why they work,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “We will continue to use these methods to reduce crime even further in 2025. This year, we will train and hire more officers, and we will stay laser-focused on our commitment to the residents of St. Louis to improve their safety every day. We will invest and act on what works: prevention, intervention, and enforcement.” Despite the clear improvements to public safety in the City of St. Louis, politicians in Jefferson City will today discuss taking away local control of the St. Louis Metropolitan

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Parental instincts and quick reaction time led to two Central Illinois parents saving their child’s life. It started at home when the parents noticed something was extremely wrong with their 2-year-old son. They performed CPR and resuscitated him. He was transported to OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois in Peoria where it was determined he had suffered sudden cardiac arrest and had a malignant heart condition known as Brugada syndrome. What is Brugada syndrome? Brugada syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that causes heart arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. “Most kids that go through that, unfortunately, don’t survive,” says Harma Turbendian, MD, a pediatric cardiac surgeon with OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois. “So, this was fast-acting parents who knew what they were doing, then EMS, followed by our team here in the ICU.” Meet the team The medical team at OSF Children’s Hospital who treated the toddler

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ALTON - Community members are invited to the first Block Party for Good of 2025. From 2:30–4:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, community members can receive free groceries, a hot meal and health screenings at Soulcial Square, in the parking lot adjacent to Morningstar Baptist Church at 1 E. 6th Street in Alton. There are no income or residency requirements to utilize these services. “Our Block Party for Good is more than just sharing food — it’s about building community, fostering connection and creating hope,” said John Michel, President of Food is Love. “We’re committed to ensuring everyone in Alton has access to nutritious food and meaningful fellowship.” Food is Love, a nonprofit that works to eliminate food insecurity, hosts the monthly Block Party for Good. Last year, they hosted six block parties in Alton and served over 1,000 meals while providing free groceries to over 2,000 family members. Michel and the Food is Love

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Key takeaways: Mixing coffee and bananas is a healthy alternative to your morning joe Bananas are rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants Bananas can replace coffee creamer and sugar Add milk and dates in for added nutrition, creaminess Some social media users are going bananas over a different take on your morning cup of joe. While many “health” trends have no substance at all, this has promise, according to Gabrielle Haskell, a clinical dietitian for oncology at the OSF Cancer Institute. The recipe calls for one to two frozen bananas, one cup of coffee, 1/3 cup of milk and two pitted dates. Mix it together in a blender and you have a frappe to enjoy. So… why bananas? “Bananas have fiber in them, which helps keep you fuller for longer. Fiber is good for blood sugar management and for management of your cholesterol,” Haskell says. “They also have added vitamins and minerals, like Vitamin C, that can really help boost your

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today issued updated guidance to state, county and local law enforcement agencies to clarify the role of Illinois’ law enforcement agencies and the enforcement of federal immigration laws. The guidance details the provisions of the Illinois TRUST Act and the Voices of Immigrant Communities Empowering Survivors (VOICES) Act. Both were enacted to increase trust and cooperation between immigrant communities and police departments generally by prohibiting law enforcement agencies from participating in federal civil immigration enforcement, and by creating procedural requirements to support immigrants who have been victims of violent crime or human trafficking. “Civil immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the federal government. State law does not grant local law enforcement the authority to enforce federal civil immigration laws. This includes participating, supporting or assisting in any capacity with federal

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On January 24, 1925, the moon eclipsed the sun. In Alton, the eastern skies were partly cloudy, but the sun broke through the clouds just after 8 a.m., right when the eclipse here was at its peak. With a totality of 86% in Alton, a crescent was still visible, and some residents expressed their disappointment that it was not truly dark. “Daylight came as usual, and the light was better at time of greatest totality than on many recent mornings when a heavy haze has shrouded the early rays of the sun.” Altonians viewed a partial eclipse, but parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island experienced totality. New York and New England saw the eclipse under ideal conditions, but in Michigan and Ontario, clouds and low visibility made it difficult to observe. In New York City, “was the spectacle magnificent. When the moment arrived and a blackness of midnight at 9:11 a.m. was accompanied by the beautiful sigh

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