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SPRINGFIELD - During the campaign last year, I drove all across the state, and I couldn’t help but notice some signs in people’s yards that said, “FIRE PRITZKER.” I was concerned about this until my kids pointed out that when people in their generation think something is really cool they say, “That’s FIRE!” So, I want to take this moment to thank everyone who put up those very encouraging signs! Today, as every day, I feel blessed to stand with my compassionate and dedicated partner in governance and your Lieutenant Governor, the outstanding Juliana Stratton. Officially retiring today is one of Illinois’ finest leaders ever. His legacy stands as an example to everyone who aspires to serve the public interest. On behalf of the people of Illinois, please join me in giving thanks to our inimitable Secretary of State Jesse White. I want to acknowledge other distinguished guests here today: Beginning with the love of my life and the Firs

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ALTON - Alderwoman Rosetta Brown released a meeting schedule for the Fourth Ward today. “ LET’S CONTINUE; IN 2023, ON OUR WAY TOGETHER!! 4TH WARD INFORMATIONAL MONTHLY MEETINGS 3 RD THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH: 6PM-7PM THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2023 THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2023 THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2023 THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2023 THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2023 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2023 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2023 Location: Todays Beauty Supply, 1415 Central, Alton, IL

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EAST ALTON – Illinois RiverWatch will be premiering their film “Biodiversity of Freshwater Mussels: Community Science in Action” along with a short presentation highlighting community science during the next National Great Rivers Research and Education Center’s Neighbor Nights event, Jan. 17. This month’s event will be held in a hybrid format, giving participants the opportunity to join virtually or in-person at the NGRREC field Station, located at 1 Confluence Way, East Alton, Illinois. “The goal of this film will be to demystify the overall process of scientific research,” said RiverWatch Director and Stream Ecologist Danelle Haake. “We also want to show that community science projects are for everyone and no experience in science is required to participate.” The Field Station will open at 6 p.m. for in-person guests, with a tour starting at 6:15 p.m. The hybrid portion of the event will begin at 7 p.m., beginning with

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GODFREY – To kick off a new year of celebrating local small businesses, Riverbend Kitchen and More, LLC was honored as the January 2023 RiverBend Growth Association Small Business of the Month award recipient. Owned by Terri Hart, Riverbend Kitchen and More has been in business for over nine years now, with six employees at its location in Alton at 215 Herbert Street. RKM specializes in kitchen and bath remodels, but can also provide bars, built-ins, and more. “We consider ourselves a boutique that will work with customers from concept to completion,” noted General Manager Deehan Coffman. “We provide full installations or can work with your contractor. We want to see your dream come to life in your home.” RKM recently added a new designer to its staff and is looking to add still more team members very soon. “Our showroom is constantly changing to keep up with current trends as well,” Coffman added. “We are also expanding to the Soulard

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ALTON - Alton officials are excited about the progress that is underway on the Riverview Soil Stabilization Project in the winter months. Other than the brisk zero-degree temps for a week near Christmas, Alton's winter weather has been mild for continuous Riverview work, Public Works Director Mike Parsons said. “The work continues on the Riverview Soil Stabilization Project,” he said. “GSI, a company out of Denver, Colorado, has the contract for the work from FEMA. Considerable progress is being made overall to date.” Sheppard Morgan & Schwaab, Inc., is the civil engineer for the project. Justin Kleinschmidt is the lead for SMS in the engineering part of the work. “During the winter of 2019 and 2020, emergency steps were taken to make the Riverview Drive site safe, with emergency repairs performed in collaboration with FEMA,” Kleinschmidt said previously. “At that time, it was decided that a slope stabilization contractor should prepare

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EDWARDSVILLE – The City is seeking participation in an online survey as part of an ongoing effort to engage the public on the topic of race relations in Edwardsville. The 2023 Race Relations and Equality Survey is available now through Friday, February 17, on the City’s website at: cityofedwardsville.com/racerelations2023 The survey is anonymous and seeks input on participants’ experiences and observations about Edwardsville in regard to race relations and equality. The survey is open to residents and non-residents, and is estimated to take five to 10 minutes: cityofedwardsville.com/racerelations2023 to complete. This is the second Race Relations and Equality Survey put forth by the City. Edwardsville’s Human Relations Committee, which works with City officials to ensure equal treatment and opportunities for everyone in Edwardsville, is overseeing the survey process. The first such questionnaire was undertaken in 2020 as part of a wide-ranging effort initiated

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EDWARDSVILLE - Glen Carbon Police and Fire responders were visible near the outside of the new Orchard Town Center construction and across from the Dierberg's area in Glen Carbon early Tuesday morning. The police directed traffic in the area at that time and Glen Carbon Police said it was a rear-end collision, but no other details were released at this time. Police did say only minor injuries were reported.

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ALTON - Al Womack, the long-time head of the Alton Boys and Girls Club, has made a decision to run for the Alton School Board in the upcoming spring election. Womack said he is running for school board because he wants to make a difference. “I am just excited about the opportunity to be part of the school board,” he said. “I am passionate about education and the process for our students. I want to be at the table to show educators and students I am here to help support our educators and students.” Womack said there is nothing personal about his decision with other board members, but he added that he knew vacancies were going to happen. “I think it is a no-brainer I pursue this opportunity to be an advocate for students and education. I received my education from the Alton School District and I want to be part of the system to make sure our kids get the quality of education they need and deserve.” Womack has been with the Boys and Girls Club in

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EDWARDSVILLE – One block of North Buchanan Street will be closed to all traffic between East Vandalia Street and Hillsboro Avenue beginning on Wednesday, January 11. This closure is part of the North Buchanan water main replacement project. Motorists should use alternate routes to bypass the closure. Detour signs will be posted. North Fillmore Street, North Kansas Street, Chapman Street and East Vandalia Street should be used as detours. The roadway will be reopened as soon as the work can be completed. The work is another step in the water main replacement project on North Buchanan Street from East Union Street to East Vandalia Street. The city is in the process of replacing an approximately century-old 4-inch cast iron water main with a 12-inch water main along the entire stretch of road. With this closure, workers will begin to transfer the businesses along the block to the new water main. The City appreciates the cooperation and patience of all residents during this process.

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EDWARDSVILLE - The following students have been named to the Honor Roll at Metro-East Lutheran High School for the second quarter of the 2022-2023 school year. Grade Honor Roll with High Distinction (g.p.a. 4.0) 9 Andrew Adams, Troy 9 Katie Albrecht, Worden 9 Alyssa Bivens, Troy 9 Peter Curtis, Worden 9 Wyatt Goeckner, Worden 9 Emma Gusewelle, Edwardsville 9 Rebekah Lindsey, Litchfield 9 Lucas Lorenz, Bethalto 9 Kate Mueller, Glen Carbon 9 Tim Schilbe, Carlyle 9 Lilly Skelton, Bethalto 9 Brice Stewart, O'Fallon 9 Max Weber, Moro Honor Roll with Distinction (g.p.a. 3.75-3.99) 9 Thea Ball, Worden 9 Natalia Billings, Collinsville 9 Kylie Brunton, Troy 9 Miles Dennis, Bunker Hill 9 Audrey Elmer, Edwardsville 9 Ava Fedder, Edwardsville 9 Ava Italiano, Maryville 9 Sierrah Kreher, Pontoon Beach 9 Julianne Kuehnel, Caseyville

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CARLINVILLE - Blackburn College is bringing its annual Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Convocation back to campus. The event will be held Tuesday, January 17, 2023, in Bothwell Auditorium at 4:00 pm. The College last hosted an in-person MLK Convocation in January 2020, holding virtual celebrations in 2021 and 2022. This year’s event will include the presentation of the annual Blackburn MLK Student Leadership Award, a proclamation from Carlinville Mayor Sarah Oswald, and a keynote address from Dr. Leon Chestang ‘59. The convocation is open to Blackburn faculty, staff, students, and all members of the community. A distinguished social work educator, scholar, and expert on race and culture, Dr. Chestang was among the first Black students admitted to Blackburn in 1954. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in sociology, he received a Master's degree at Washington University in St. Louis and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. Dr. Chestang served as Professor and Dean of

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SPRINGFIELD - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today was sworn in for a second term as Illinois Attorney General. Raoul pledged to continue his commitment to protecting communities from gun violence as it has become the number one cause of death for children in America. Attorney General Raoul took the oath of office, which was administered by Illinois Supreme Court Justice Joy Cunningham, at the 2023 Inauguration in Springfield. Joining Attorney General Raoul onstage were his wife, Dr. Lisa Moore, his son, Che Raoul, stepson John Moore, and his niece Sidney Jackson. After being sworn in, Raoul highlighted the urgent need to protect children from gun violence by clarifying his office’s authority to pursue enforcement actions against entities within the firearms industry that are endangering public safety. He announced plans to file legislation holding firearms dealers and manufacturers accountable when they engage in harmful and dangerous sales and marketing tactics. “In th

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STAUNTON - The Macoupin Art Collective, a non-profit art center at 115 E Main in Staunton, IL will host their first ever 24 hours of art making. This community event is called “Mug-a-thon” as a nod to phone-a-thon events intended to help raise funds, with the added twist of celebrating the societal favorite: the coffee mug. The MAC will be live-streaming the event and would like to send an open invitation to their friends, supporters, and the local press to visit between 2 pm Friday, January 13, 2023, and 2 pm Saturday, January 14, 2023. Volunteers are important but even observers are most welcome to stop by. Creating all types of mugs will be the centerpiece of the 24-hour event, with the final products available for sale at their 6th anniversary on Saturday, March 25 as a fundraiser for the MAC. Several artists and instructors will be stopping by to create mugs in ceramics, stained glass, oil paint, paper, and fabric. Volunteers can assist in creating items

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ST. LOUIS - Centerstone, a national leader in behavioral health care, will host an Understanding the Structural Impact of Racism, Racial Trauma and Suicide Prevention presentation on January 25 from 10-11:30 a.m. CT via Zoom. CEUs are available and there is no charge to attend. Objectives of the training include: Define and discuss racial trauma Review how racism affects collective and individual mental health Gain insight into the implications of racial trauma for suicide prevention One presenter of the training will be Jeremy Allen with Southern Illinois University. Carbondale (SIU-C). Allen is a Ph.D. candidate in Sociology at SIU-C who specializes in race. He has taught Sociology 108 Introduction to Sociology, 215 Race and Ethnic Relations in the U.S., and 303 Sociology of Deviance. He has academic training in stratification, race, criminology, research methods, and analysis. Additionally, Allen has decades of lived experience relating to his primary area of study. Tandra

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ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School senior Sophie Bunch became the latest Explorer to announce her commitment to play a sport in college. She will be attending Maryville University in the fall for dance. "I really didn't imagine myself dancing at first, but then I was like, you know what, let's try it out, see how it is," Sophie said. "Going to the first clinic was really fun and all the girls were just super nice and invited me very quickly." Sophie said she's been dancing pretty much her whole life starting when she was 3 and then began competing when she was 8. While at Maryville she will be studying to become a nurse, something that she has been really excited about. She talked about how her cousin was a pediatric nurse and it made her want to go into the field. While at Marquette Sophie competed at the IDTA State Competition twice in her freshman and junior year. She said those are some of her favorite dancing memories. She'll make a return to that competition this season

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GODFREY - BJC HealthCare has poured concrete footings and is on its way with a new 14,000-square-foot facility at the corner of Godfrey Road and Celesta Street in Godfrey. BJC plans to locate space for primary and specialty care, radiology, and laboratory services, and also additional room for future expansion, officials have said. Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick said BJC has announced plans to move its Alton Memorial Convenient Care now at 5520 Godfrey Road to the new outpatient facility. The new facility will also be in the Alton Memorial EMS coverage area. Mayor McCormick said BJC is investing a large amount of money in the Village of Godfrey with a huge building that will offer all kinds of services. He said there will not only be acute care services, but a wide range of services and will be another good addition to the village. “The addition of the new BJC facility will make a difference for people wanting to move to Godfrey because they are offering all kinds of services,”

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GODFREY - Scooters Coffee is progressing on a location right across the street from the Moto Mart on Godfrey Road, Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick said on Monday. The location will be positioned at 5330 Godfrey Road once completed. McCormick said he has heard the recent Scooters addition in Bethalto is going quite well and the mayor expects the same in Godfrey. “Scooters had their hearts set on Godfrey and found a piece of property,” he said. “They will be a great business addition. A house was torn down at that location to make room for it. Scooters will add additional sales tax to the village, plus they offer excellent products.” Founded in 1998 by Don and Linda Eckles in Bellevue, Nebraska, Scooter’s Coffee roasts only the finest coffee beans in the world at its headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. Scooter’s Coffee is a drive-thru franchise that has been serving world-class coffee for more than 20 years and has over 500 locations in 27 states across

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12), in one of his first votes of the 118 th Congress, voted to block the Biden administration from hiring 87,000 new IRS agents to audit working families. The Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act, which Bost cosponsored, passed the House by a 221-210 margin. “From the jump, the new Republican majority is delivering on promises we made to the American people,” said Bost. “Hardworking Southern Illinois families are struggling to heat their homes, put food on the table, and put gas in their cars. "President Biden’s solution is an army of auditors? House Republicans are fighting to stop this disastrous policy and make sure the IRS is working on behalf taxpayers instead of against them.”

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EDWARDSVILLE – During a Monday, Jan. 10, 2023, special meeting, the Board of Education voted unanimously to put a $100 million zero-tax-rate change bond referendum on April 4, 2023, ballot, aimed at improving school safety and the infrastructure of District 7 buildings. If the referendum is approved by voters in April, District #7 would: Install double-entry doors for improved safety and security at seven schools, which would result in secure double entry at each of the district’s 13 schools. This also includes double entry at Nelson Elementary School and relocating the office space to the two classrooms just inside the main entrance. The current office space would then become classrooms. Renovate and rebuild Lincoln Middle School on its existing site by retaining the 1925 building. Remediate the asbestos and build a new wing of classrooms at Hamel Elementary School. Allocate up to $2,000,000 for repairs at Midway Elementary School. Expand the commons at Edwardsville

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ILLINOIS - Golden Apple, a non-profit dedicated to preparing, supporting and mentoring aspiring teachers, has extended the deadline to apply to its Accelerators program to January 31, 2023. Through the Accelerators program, Golden Apple aims to meet the teacher shortage crisis head on throughout southern, central and western Illinois by providing a path to teaching for non-educators with bachelor’s degrees looking to make a difference in classrooms right in their communities. Aspiring educators are encouraged to apply at www.goldenapple.org/ accelerators . Illinois’ ongoing teacher shortage, a crisis further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has prevented many students from accessing the quality education they deserve. According to a report by the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents, 88% of school districts statewide reported having a teacher shortage problem in 2021, up from 77% in 2020. The effects of the teacher shortage crisis are felt most strongly

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