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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) spoke at the opening ceremony of the U.S.-ASEAN Center, an initiative dedicated to building deeper habits of cooperation between the full range of U.S. departments and agencies and the countries that make up the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In her remarks, Duckworth emphasized that shoring up this partnership involves more than just providing security support—it also means working together to take on the other unique challenges of the 21 st century that don’t recognize national borders, including climate change, artificial intelligence, international economic instability and global health crises. “For more than half a century now, the United States and ASEAN have learned from and leaned on each other—helping one another adapt to an era in which technology allows allies half a world away to be there for each other in half an instant,” Duckworth said. “Now, in

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SPRINGFIELD - Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias is awarding more than $1.4 million to qualifying public school districts to the benefit of 2,713 school libraries throughout Illinois. The grants, awarded once every fiscal year, will support school library services for 1.2 million students enrolled in kindergarten through 12 th grade. Resources and services provided through the grant include library books, e-books, audiobooks, periodicals, multilingual materials, technology and programs. “It’s imperative that all Illinois students have access to necessary resources including reading materials and learning services at our public school libraries,” Giannoulias said. “School libraries serve as places of learning and discovery. These funds will ensure that our libraries are well-equipped to educate and inspire our future generations.” Based on a statutory formula, school districts receive $0.885 per student for their enrollment at eac

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WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL) today led 61 of his colleagues in a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack expressing their disappointment in the recent dispute settlement ruling on Canada’s dairy tariff rate quota (TRQ) allocation measures under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The ruling raises significant questions regarding fair market access for American dairy producers and processors involved in the Canadian food and agriculture sector. “I am deeply disappointed with the recent USMCA ruling on Canada’s dairy trade measures,” said Bost. “This will make it harder for our dairy products to enter the Canadian market and poses a significant threat to Illinois' economy, as the third-largest U.S. dairy exporter to Canada. I am proud to lead this charge in urging the Biden Administration to take action and hold Canada accountable to protect our billion-dollar industry.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg urging him to consider the Chicago Hub Improvement Project (CHIP) for additional grant opportunities to support the project’s mission to modernize Chicago Union Station (CUS). Durbin began his letter by acknowledging the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) recent announcement that Amtrak and its partners will receive $93 million for CHIP. These funds will support platform and ventilation upgrades as well as the reactivation of the Station’s old mail platform into tracks for passenger use. However, Durbin called on Secretary Buttigieg to allocate additional funding for the remaining aspects of CHIP that can improve travel times and intercity connections. “While this grant is a significant and long-overdue first step in funding CHIP by modernizing the physical station, I would like to express my disappointment that DOT chose no

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today applauded the passage of their bipartisan National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Extension Act, which reauthorizes relief for an additional four years for qualifying members of the National Guard and Reserves experiencing financial hardship. The legislation will protect a long-standing bipartisan carveout from means-testing restrictions in Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases. The legislation passed the House of Representatives earlier this week, and today, the legislation was passed in the Senate. The bill will now head to the President’s desk for his signature. “Declaring bankruptcy is a difficult choice for any American, and that option should be assessed using an accurate depiction of a person’s income and financial standing. Our National Guard members and reservists

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), secured several important provisions to support our state in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that passed Congress this week. Some of the Illinois priorities Duckworth secured include supporting school districts near military bases by helping alleviate state and local tax base funding shortfalls and charting a sustainable future for C-40 aircraft—which are flown by the 932nd Airlift Wing at Scott Air Force Base. “The brave men and women in uniform who serve our nation at home and abroad deserve to know that our country fully supports them as they and their families sacrifice to defend our country and our Constitution,” Duckworth said. “While I do not support every provision in this bipartisan compromise, I’m proud of the many

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, pressed for further investigation into systemic failures at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to ensure proper oversight of its medical care contractor, Loyal Source. Durbin is continuing his investigation in a series of three letters to CBP, Loyal Source, and the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The letters follow a report by a CBP employee whistleblower alleging years of deficient medical care at CBP facilities and CBP’s failure to ensure proper oversight, as well as the death of Anadith Danay Reyes Álvarez, an 8-year-old girl with sickle cell and congenital heart disease who died in CBP custody in Harlingen, Texas. In his request to CBP, Durbin requests answers to reported systemic issues with the agency’s oversight of medical services provided to migrants in custody. He writes: “As you know, Anadith Danay Reyes Álvarez, an

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today led a coalition of 19 attorneys general filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10 th Circuit supporting the state of Colorado’s prohibition on the sale of guns to individuals under the age of 21. “Under our nation’s Constitution, individual states have the ability to enact restrictions that protect the public from gun violence,” Raoul said. “Colorado’s prohibition on the sale of guns to individuals under the age of 21 is a commonsense restriction that enhances public safety by seeking to ensure responsible gun ownership.” Raoul and the coalition explain the Second Amendment allows governments to enact sensible and varied regulations to protect the public, including age-based restrictions on the purchase, possession or use of firearms. Although regulations vary based on each state’s needs, virtually every state has imposed some form of age-based regulations on firearms,

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Tina Smith (D-MN), today led ten of their colleagues in sending a letter to the Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Shalanda Young, urging the agency leaders to include strong funding for the Open Textbooks Pilot (Pilot) in the Biden Administration’s Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) budget request. The Pilot, based on Durbin’s Affordable College Textbook Act , is a competitive grant program to support the creation and expansion of open college textbooks – textbooks that are freely available under an open license, allowing professors, students, researchers, and others to freely access the materials. The grant program aims to significantly reduce the cost of higher education for students. The Senators began their letter by emphasizing the importance of open textbooks and how they lower financial barriers

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Standing on the side of the road, cars speeding by with drivers craning their necks to get a good look at the writing on the back of my jacket — “Chain Gang” — I pick up another liquor bottle and drop it into the day’s third bag of trash. Rusty Wheat is beside me, telling me about letters to the Madison County Board that he wrote most recently. Rusty is a one-man “chain gang” who picks up trash along Illinois Route 143 and Kendall Hill every week. When he emailed me asking if I wanted to join him one day, I was game. You can only complain so much before you decide to do something about the issues that upset you. How many times had I tutted at the amount of trash along the side of the road? Rusty knows firsthand how good it feels to actually act, and he was offering me a chance to join him. Of course, I said yes. We start at the top of Kendall Hill. A sign that Rusty had hand-painted was already placed on the side of the road, warning

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GODFREY - Ah…great food and warm, friendly atmosphere. That’s the Round Table Restaurant, where they make you feel like family. Feeling hungry? Then you need to head to the Round Table Restaurant. The Veseli family will welcome you, your family and your friends with open arms. The Round Table serves up American fare in a family-oriented setting. Be it a fish dinner, a plate of fried chicken, or a big platter of bacon and eggs with pancakes on the side, the hungry person will not be disappointed. Plus, all is served up by members of a friendly staff. Mr. and Mrs. Ali Veseli started the Round Table Restaurant in 2003 in Cottage Hills. In 2010, they opened in Godfrey, where they enjoy success today. The Veseli family takes pride in the fact that, each day, they serve up daily specials that provide a delicious dining experience. The home-cooked meals are a departure from so many fast food options that are so common. Take the home-cooked entrée and couple

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GRANITE CITY - The United Steel Workers Local 1899 has issued an update about the union’s dispute against U.S. Steel about inadequate notice being given for layoffs at the Granite City Works steel plant. Local 1899 leader Dan Simmons issued a notice on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, to union members and said the issue about the WARN Act notice would be settled by U.S. Steel. Simmons says U.S. Steel will not admit wrongdoing but will make all employees covered under the definition of the WARN Act “whole," which is great for those affected by the situation He also thanked government leaders on all levels - local, state, and national for drawing the public’s attention to their situation. Simmons appeared hopeful someone else may eventually own and operate the Granite City part of U.S. Steel, which could be a large positive for the area.

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SOUTH ROXANA - Over two years in the making, CS Outdoor Storage is officially open for business. Located at 206 Washington Street in South Roxana just a few blocks away from I-255, CS Outdoor Storage welcomes community members from all over the Riverbend region. With 24/7 access, secured gates and a convenient, centralized location, owner Pete Lanto believes CS Outdoor Storage is the best spot for anyone who needs space. “It’s an RV storage for campers, boats, RVs, any kind of recreational vehicle,” Lanto explained. “I have room for about 140 spaces. The area is all rock and it’s fenced with barbed wire across the top of the fencing. It’s got an automated gate for PIN verification. You put your PIN in and it opens up for you, so I can see who’s coming and who’s going.” To promote his new business, Lanto is currently offering one month of free storage with a three-month purchase . The month-to-month agreements are convenient

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WOOD RIVER - East Alton-Wood River's Tim Melton is not only a bowling star for the Oilers but has earned the prestigious Eagle Scout rank, which is very difficult to achieve. He is also the top-ranked student in his graduating class and will likely be co-valedictorian. Melton is a Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month for the Oilers. Melton thanked Paul Nichols for always being there for him and coach Garry Herron. "I have worked hard in the off-season to achieve an average above 200 pins," he said. "I have been a bowler for five years and I enjoy the fact that anyone can play." The Oilers' student-athlete said the perseverance that he has learned to be successful in sports has spread into every part of my life, including work and school. He plans to attend the University of Illinois after high school and study electrical engineering. Melton said he also plays golf for the Oilers, where he advanced to sectionals two years in a row, and baseball, where he is a first

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WOOD RIVER - East Alton-Wood River High School junior Lily Tretter is everything a coach or classroom instructor could want as an athlete on their squad and is also a straight-A student. During winter months, Lily is a star for the East Alton-Wood River girls basketball team. In the spring she plays third base and center field for the Oilers girls softball squad. Lily is coached by Lyndsey Perez. One of Lily's biggest accomplishments this season she says was "a double-double against Granite City." Lily added, "Also, my first game back after I sprained my ankle this season was against Southwestern and I had a perfect game." "I’ve been playing basketball since third grade," she added. "What I love most about basketball is the adrenaline rush I get every game. No matter if I have a bad game or a good game I always love the sport." The EA-WR junior is a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete Of The Month for the Oilers. Lily also plays year-round softball for Illinois Esprit

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The name of a driver involved in a crash on Highway 67 approaching Jamestown Bay Drive has been identified. The driver of the Honda CRV, who was later pronounced deceased at an area hospital, is identified as Marian Harris-Dukes, 63, of the 11300 block of Fox Hall Lane in St. Louis. A 7-year-old male was a passenger in the Honda CRV and was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. St. Louis County Police said preliminary investigation has revealed a Ford Taurus was traveling westbound on Highway 67 approaching Jamestown Bay Drive. A Honda CRV was turning eastbound onto Highway 67 from Jamestown Bay Drive. A Chevrolet Malibu was traveling eastbound on Highway 67 at Jamestown Bay Drive. The Ford Taurus struck the Honda CRV in the intersection. The Chevrolet Malibu also struck the Honda CRV. The driver of the Ford Taurus, an adult female, was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Chevrolet

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ALTON – The Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) has awarded accreditation to OSF Saint Anthony's Health Center Laboratory, based on results of a recent on-site inspection as part of the CAP’s Accreditation Programs. Recognized for rigorous and robust standards, CAP accreditation elevates quality and mitigates risk, an important way that laboratories can contribute to improved patient outcomes. The facility’s director, Huazhang Guo, MD, PhD, was advised of this global recognition and congratulated for the excellence of the services being provided. OSF Saint Anthony's Laboratory is one of more than 8,000 CAP-accredited facilities worldwide. “The CAP's Laboratory Accreditation Program is unlike any other. It’s an engaging, dynamic, collaborative experience that fosters continuous improvement,” says Sarah Braundmeier MT(ASCP), MHA, Manager Laboratory Services, OSF Saint Anthony’s. “Top-ranked hospitals prefe

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CHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and BJC HealthCare are stepping up mitigation efforts to minimize the spread of respiratory viruses. IDPH reports 51 counties, or half the counties in Illinois, are now at a medium or high level for COVID-19 hospitalizations. IDPH has also issued a health alert today to hospitals, long-term care facilities, and local health departments outlining various mitigation measures such as the use of masking and screening, especially in areas where more vulnerable patients are treated. BJC HealthCare announced it will reinstate its mask mandate for staff starting Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023. The mandate going into effect includes about 30,000 employees across its facilities on both sides of the Mississippi River, including Alton Memorial Hospital. Hillary Babcock, Infectious Disease Physician and Chief Quality Officer with BJC HealthCare, said the action is in response to an uptick in the number of new COVID cases in the St. Louis Metr

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ALTON - The new Alton Community Boxing Club is off to a mighty start with their first win last month. Three boxers participated in the club’s first competition on Nov. 17, 2023, and Josha Perkins, age 12, brought home a trophy. Perkins is the first of several Alton fighters who will be competing in USA Boxing-certified competitions over the next few months through the local club. “I was proud of myself,” Perkins said. “I was nervous before the fight, but when I got in the room, it just all went away.” Joshua Young, the club’s coach, noted his pride in Perkins. Young and his fellow volunteer coaches started the boxing club a few months ago, and they have quickly become mentors to boxers like Perkins and his friends. They’ve enjoyed growing the boxers’ skills and friendships inside and outside of the ring. Young hopes to help the sport grow in the Riverbend area so they can reach more kids. “Boxing is huge as a sport already

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GRANITE CITY - Granite City senior guard Alvin Valentine has been a leader for the Warriors in both scoring and rebounds per game. He also contributes in the assists and steals areas. Alvin Valentine is a Stillwater Senior Living Male Athlete Of Month for Warriors. Granite did work hard during the summer off-season and in preseason practice to get ready for the new campaign, and Valentine thought things went well. "It was pretty tough," Valentine said of the off-season workouts. "Everybody came out, we worked hard. Credit to the guys, and the coaching staff; they helped us out a lot. They pushed us to the limit that we need to be pushed, and we pushed beyond those limits, also." Valentine sees his role on the team as a leader, who's willing to step up and make the plays where needed, and also show the other players how things should be done. "I feel like a leader," Valentine said. "But I feel more of a brotherhood-type leader. I feel like I need to push everyone a little bit harder

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