Riverbender 🕸

Greetings! As we head into the final week of this year, I want to sincerely thank you for allowing me to serve as your State Senator for the 56 th District. Nearly 12 months ago, I took an oath of office to represent our community and this experience has been an incredible honor. I spent much of January through May in Springfield engrossed in the legislative process. There is no handbook for “how to be a Senator” and it’s often viewed as “drinking from a firehose.” Our days started early, ended late, and were filled with nonstop action. From early meetings, or breakfasts, to committee meetings, and floor action, any time gap we had was filled with meeting with constituents, support groups and doing “homework” each night reviewing legislation or bill drafts. This year I was appointed to six Senate Committees serving as the Minority Spokesperson on the Local Government Senate Committee. I also served as a member on the Energy and Public Utilities

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Public Safety Enforcement Group (PSEG) announces the arrest of 37-year-old Travione M. Willis of Belleville, for First Degree Murder (Class M Felony) and two counts of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm (Class X Felony). On October 22, 2023, ISP DCI PSEG agents were requested by the East St. Louis Police Department to assist with a homicide investigation with multiple shooting victims that occurred in the 500 block of Missouri Avenue. One victim, 19-year-old Marshon Martin of East St. Louis, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Two additional victims were transported to area hospitals where they were treated for non-fatal gunshot wounds. After a thorough investigation, the case was presented to the St. Clair County State’s Attorney James Gomric, and the above-mentioned charges were filed against Willis on December 4, 2023. On December 19, 2023, the United States Marshal

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BLOOMINGTON - A proposal to change the IHSA football scheduling format to eight districts in all eight classes was voted down by member schools in voting, of which the results were released on Tuesday afternoon. The proposal, which would have seen all football-playing schools divided into eight districts, was rejected 379-272, with 76 abstentions, during a voting period that ended on Monday night at midnight. The proposal, which would have begun in the 2024 season, would have had schools in each district play each other from weeks three through nine, with the top four teams in each district qualifying for the playoffs. It would have eliminated traditional conference set-ups, and in some cases, long-standing rivalries that have done much to enhance the sport's appeal over the years. "The IHSA Board of Directors has already had discussions about the potential of forming a football ad-hoc committee in 2024 in the event that this district proposal failed to pass," said IHSA Executive

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding reports that the Japanese-based Nippon Steel Corp. has agreed to purchase U.S. Steel, the parent company of Granite City Works in the Metro East. U.S. Steel, the Pittsburgh steel producer that played a key role in the nation’s industrialization, is being purchased by Nippon Steel in an all-cash deal valued at approximately $14.1 billion. The overall transaction is worth about $14.9 billion when including the assumption of debt. “I’ve been fighting for years to save jobs at Granite City Works. And I’ve been troubled by announcements over the last several years about reducing production and slashing jobs at this plant. With the recent news that U.S. Steel will be purchased by Japanese-based Nippon Steel Company - despite the concerns of its workforce — even more questions and concerns are raised. “The United States used to lead the

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The Catholic Diocese of Peoria was established in 1875. Bishop Louis Tylka serves at the ninth Bishop of the Diocese of Peoria. The Diocese serves nearly 135,000 Catholics across 26 counties located in North Central Illinois. The Diocese of Peoria has 156 parishes, 13 hospitals, 36 Catholic elementary schools, six Catholic secondary schools and two Catholic PK-12 schools. More information can be found at cdop.org. Building on their 147-year legacy, The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis have aligned with the Diocese of Peoria to create a Diocesan Public Juridic Person. This step ensures OSF HealthCare continues as a faithful Ministry of the Catholic Church and serves all with the greatest care and love. “The Sisters have always had a special and collaborative working relationship with the Bishops of Peoria,” said Sister Judith Ann Duvall, O.S.F., Chairperson of the Boards, OSF HealthCare. “At this time in our history, it seems to be a natural transition

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Tuesday, December 19, 2023, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on suspect Joshua Simmons-Pollard, 25 years of age, of the 6100 block of Lucille Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri 63136, for Burglary Second Degree and Stealing $750 or More. A booking photo of Simmons-Pollard is attached. Simmons-Pollard is being held on $30,000 cash only, no 10%, bond. Please note, charges are merely an accusation and Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. The probable cause statement reads: On December 6, 2023, a jewelry store at 11563 was burglarized, wherein items of jewelry were taken after two subjects were hiding around the store and one of them broke into the front of the store by breaking the glass out. Police received a call for a suspicious vehicle parked nearby, and police discovered that a similar vehicle had been stopped for a traffic violation hours before this and another burglary. The

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville Township Board of Trustees pledged support for Edwardsville’s new Overnight Warming Location (OWL). The OWL provides critical overnight warming services and supplies to residents of all ages in Edwardsville Township. “As we enter winter, it is great to see this organization step forward to provide warm meals and a warm place to stay on our coldest nights,” said Township Supervisor Kevin Hall. “We see this as the Township’s initial support of a vital program to get off the ground and we have had discussions with the OWL leaders how best we can help their patrons.” The Board approved $1,000 in funds that will be used to purchase an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) and Personal Protect Equipment (PPE) along with covering the cost for their volunteer’s CPR Training and background checks. This equipment is essential for providing life-saving medical services to individuals at the OWL. "The Edwardsville OWL wil

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EDWARDSVILLE - At their regular meeting on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 (ECUSD7) Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the 2023 tax levy. “Madison County has forecasted a 9.6 increase for the Edwardsville School District, and the estimated tax rate will be $4.67,” explained Board Vice President Terri Dalla Riva during the finance committee report. Later in the evening, the Board voted unanimously to approve the levy. Members Kristen Pfund and Lynne Sanderson were absent. The vote followed numerous discussions over the past few months. Before voting, Board member Bob Paty clarified that the tax levy had not changed from the last time the Board discussed it during their regular meeting in November. Dave Courtney, the district’s chief financial officer/chief operations officer, responded that it had changed “just slightly” from the previous estimate. During the Nov. 27 meeting, Courtney explained

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EDWARDSVILLE - Every year one of the more special events of the holiday season in Edwardsville is the Edwardsville Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 244, "Christmas With A Cop" Day. This was the 14th year for the very special occasion and it took place Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at both Chick-fil-A on Troy Road, followed by a police escort to Target, complete with flashing lights and sirens. One of the Christmas With A Cop coordinators Jarrod Sprinkle said: "This is the thing that gets you right in the mood and the Christmas spirit. Some of the families have gone through some hard times and it is great for us to be able to help them out. "You can't beat it. More officers showed up Saturday than expected and more kids than planned and we made it work. There is a real need in the community and these guys stepped up and hit it out of the ballpark." Through the program this past Saturday, Edwardsville Police Department officers enjoyed breakfast and holiday shopping with 30 area children

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SPRINGFIELD – The minimum wage in Illinois is increasing on January 1st, 2024. Workers will see an increase of $1 per hour from $13 to $14. The minimum wage for tipped workers will rise to $8.40 per hour and youth workers (under 18) working fewer than 650 hours per calendar year will see their hourly wage increase to $12 per hour. “Since day one as Governor, I’ve made it my mission to put Springfield back on the side of working families,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With this new minimum wage increase, we are once again making Illinois a more affordable and equitable place to live for all of our residents.” “We're continuing to not only strengthen our workforce but sustain it by increasing the minimum wage. Leadership matters and we're proud to see our administration's sixth increase go into effect on January 1,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “As we continue our work to make Illinois the best state to live, work

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GLEN CARBON - The Glen Carbon Senior and Community Center was recognized by the Illinois Department of Aging for their work in serving older community members. On Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, Department of Aging Director Paula Basta presented the center with the 2023 Governor’s Engaging Aging Award. The center, located at 157 N. Main Street in Glen Carbon, is one of up to 13 organizations to be recognized this year. “This award is presented annually to a handful of community organizations throughout the state where you have gone above and beyond making a positive impact on the lives of older adults, and you can see that right here in this room,” Basta said. “You have a vibrant hub of programming. You have events, activities, social engagement. I heard there was belly dancing — I don’t know when, but I’m going to get out of here before that.” Basta noted the various programs and activities offered at the center, including yoga, art classes

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BETHALTO - A GoFundMe titled "Stand With Dan" has been established for well-known area photographer Dan Cruz of Bethalto. Dan had major surgery after a sudden spinal medical discovery last week and is in recovery. These are the comments from Kelsey Hawkins, who set up this GoFundMe to assist with Dan Cruz's huge medical expenses: "Dan is a son, a brother, a father, a grandfather, a talented photographer and a friend to many. If you don’t see Dan at courtside or the sidelines of a field somewhere capturing high school sports, you can find him cheering on his grandsons, Kaden and Jackson at their sporting events and or spending time with his granddaughters Rainah, Vada, and Rylah. "He always gave himself to be there for others. That being photographing those special sporting game moments, sharing his camera talents with aspiring local photographers, or lending a hand to a friend. You can always count on Dan! "On Wednesday, December 13, 2023, while capturing a basketball

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GRANITE CITY – Granite City High School had 13 students named 2024-25 State Scholars for their outstanding academic achievement, as announced by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). The students will be recognized at the Granite City Community Unit School District #9 School Board Meeting on January 23, 2024. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission , the state’s college access and financial aid agency, presents this important recognition of academic achievement to exceptional Illinois high school students annually. This year, nearly 16,700 honorees join the other outstanding students who have been honored since the designation was first introduced in 1958. The 2024-25 designation applies to the year students will begin their postsecondary education. The Illinois State Scholar program is awarded to high school seniors based on ACT or SAT test scores, the sixth semester class size, unweighted class rank and grade point average. 2024-25 GCHS Illinoi

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ALTON - Angela and Amoriah Gray of "Amoriah's Blessings" hosted a "Come On Barbie, Let's Go Paint Party" for the YWCA Southwestern Illinois Girls Circle Christmas Party on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. Angela and Amoriah provided all paint materials, a Barbie canvas to take home, Barbie T-shirts for a staff member and two student volunteers, self-esteem and boundaries enrichment lessons, swag bags, and a Barbie box photo and selfie station. “My daughter and I facilitated a Barbie Paint party for the YWCA Southwestern organization,” Angela said. “The girls were engaged and involved.” She added that booking information for Barbie parties or other workshop ideas can be found at amoriahlove.com . The Girls Circle Program is a free structured support group for girls and youth who identify with female development from 10-16 years of age. Girls Circle integrates relational theory, resiliency practices, and skills training in a specific format designed to increase

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a bipartisan group of 52 attorneys general, today announced a $700 million agreement with Google to settle allegations of anticompetitive conduct related to the Google Play Store. According to the settlement, Google will pay $630 million in restitution, minus costs and fees, to consumers who made purchases on the Google Play Store between August 2016 and September 2023 and were harmed by Google’s anticompetitive practices. Google will also pay the states an additional $70 million in penalties. “This settlement holds Google accountable for its anticompetitive market behavior making sure consumers in Illinois and across the nation receive the restitution they deserve,” Raoul said. “Consumers are left with limited choices and higher prices when companies act to stifle competition, and I am pleased that this settlement will help impacted consumers receive restitution while requiring Google to take steps to prevent

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ALTON - Two local businesses are teaming up to host a “New Year's Eve celebration for the grown and classy" in Alton for ages 30 and up, featuring live performances from a recording artist, a comedian, and more. DMW Trucking and Dynamic Image Publications are hosting a “Ring In 2024” New Years’ Eve Celebration from 9 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2023 to 1 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2024 at Vera Lee's Meeting & Event Venue, located at 1854 E. Broadway in Alton. The event will feature a live performance by recording artist Alysha, a Comedy Hour with The Gwynn Factor, as well as appearances by D Lo and DJ Lady Jock. The event calls for semi-formal attire and has an age restriction of at least 30 years old. Christian Cashelle, CEO of Dynamic Image Publications, said the event is the perfect way to ring in the new year with “style, sophistication,” and more. “Join us as we bid farewell to the past and welcome the future with style, sophistication, and a night t

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SPRINGFIELD – Beginning Jan. 1, a new law from State Senator Christopher Belt will put an end to traffic stops from law enforcement that solely involve minor windshield obstructions. “This measure is not about hindering officers but about creating an understanding between law enforcement and drivers about what a legitimate reason is to be pulled over,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “With this new law, we are sending a powerful message that the state does not tolerate racial profiling or other forms of discrimination.” Starting Jan. 1, law enforcement officers cannot stop or search a vehicle because of a small item between the driver and the windshield such as decorations, disability placards, GPS systems and air fresheners. With concerns that traffic enforcement practices such as this disproportionately affect certain communities, this new law will prevent officers from using a minor windshield obstruction as a pretext to pulling drivers over but adds that th

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is extending the controlled pheasant hunting program for the 2023-2024 season. Some sites will be extended by one to two weeks in different areas of the state. Hunters should check the permit calendar on the controlled pheasant hunting website for permit availability. Sites with extended opportunities include: Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area, Will County Silver Springs State Park, Kendall County Iroquois County State Fish and Wildlife Area Kankakee River State Park, Kankakee County Moraine View State Park, McLean County Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area, Cass County Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park (Rend Lake), Franklin County Eldon Hazlet State Park (Carlyle Lake), Clinton County Pheasant hunters will need to acquire a Reserved Controlled Pheasant Hunting Permit to hunt on controlled pheasant hunting sites. Permits can be acquired through the online reservation system . To make

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COLUMBIA - Traube Tents & Structures has been in business for 85 years, but they’re just getting started. The family-owned business out of Columbia, IL has grown in the past few years, and now their products are everywhere in the U.S., from weddings and commercial events to emergency relief sites and PGA Tours. Steve Traube reflects on the business’s history and future in a recent Our Daily Show! interview . “For us, we really tout ourselves as specialists. All we do is structures, so we’re really good at it,” he said. “Obviously, to pull off some of the huge events that we are able to pull off, we’ve got a great team and a bunch of people that really just do a fantastic job.” Traube Tents & Structures started in 1938 as a venetian blinds manufacturer and quickly expanded to awnings. They started doing tents in the 1950s and then eventually split into Traube Awnings and Traube Tents & Structures. Earlier this year, Steve

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GLEN CARBON - State Senator Erica Harriss (56 th -Glen Carbon) has released the below statement following the announcement and potential sale of US Steel to Nippon Steel Corporation: "For me, the question of whether this potential sale is good news or not, will come down to whether it will allow Granite City steelworkers to keep their jobs. Unfortunately, our community has had hope of stability taken away before. I will continue to stand firmly with our workers as we monitor the situation. As your Senator, I remain committed to advocating for policies to grow and keep jobs in Illinois."

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