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CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Office of Tourism announced Illinois welcomed 112 million domestic and international visitors who spent $47 billion in 2023 – an increase of 1 million visitors and $3 billion in spending from 2022, according to data provided by Tourism Economics. This surge in tourism also led to a new all-time high in hotel tax revenue figures in FY24, totaling $322 million —a 4.5% increase over the previous record set in FY23. "I’m proud to announce that Illinois had a record-breaking year for visitor and hotel tax revenue, which is a testament to our state’s thriving tourism industry," said Governor JB Pritzker. "This impressive growth is a reflection of the millions of visitors who are eager to experience the incredible attractions that make our state a world-class destination—all while providing a significant boost to small businesses and local communities.”

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate increased +0.2 percentage point to 5.2 percent, while nonfarm payrolls increased +12,900 in July, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and released by IDES. The June revised unemployment rate was 5.0 percent, unchanged from the preliminary June unemployment rate. The June monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from +10,400 to -4,300 jobs. The July unemployment rate and payroll jobs estimate reflect activity for the week including the 12th. In July, the industry sectors with the largest over-the-month job gains included: Government (+11,400), Private Education and Health Services (+3,400), and Other Services (+2,300). The industry sectors with monthly payroll job declines included Manufacturing (-2,500), Leisure and Hospitality (-1,500), and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-800). “Steady jo

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GODFREY - Calling all Swifties! You’re invited to enter for a chance to win four tickets to “Taylor Made: A Tribute to Taylor Swift.” Scheduled for Sept. 13, 2024, at Lewis and Clark Community College’s Hatheway Hall, the tribute concert will feature songs from across Swift’s 11 albums. Taylor Made, a six-piece tribute band from Edwardsville, Highland and Alton, will provide a high-energy performance of Swift’s greatest hits. All proceeds from the concert will benefit the Alton Youth Symphony and Alton Symphony Orchestras. “This tribute concert is not just about celebrating music — it’s also about supporting the arts in our community,” the Alton Youth Symphony and Alton Symphony Orchestras said in a press release. “Proceeds from the event will directly benefit the Alton Youth Symphony and Alton Symphony Orchestras, ensuring these vital organizations can continue to provide exceptional musical experiences and educational

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August 16th is a date marked by a rich tapestry of historical events, spanning centuries and continents. The Death of Elvis Presley (1977) It’s hard to imagine the world of music without the influence of Elvis Presley, often referred to as the 'King of Rock and Roll.' On August 16, 1977, the world was left in shock when Elvis was found dead at his Graceland estate in Memphis, Tennessee. His passing marked the end of an era but also cemented his legacy as an enduring icon. Fans around the world continue to celebrate his life and music, making his death one of the most significant and impactful events on this date. Madonna's Birth (1958) Switching to a more upbeat note, August 16, 1958, saw the birth of Madonna, one of the most influential and best-selling musical artists of all time. Known as the 'Queen of Pop,' Madonna has continually reinvented herself and her music, significantly shaping the landscape of modern pop culture. Her contributions to music, fashion, and

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ALTON - The tenth edition of the Alton Food Truck Festival presented by Sauce Magazine will return to the Alton Amphitheater on Saturday, August 24, 2024, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. This year’s festival will feature new and returning favorites offering a wide variety of enticing food options as well as musical entertainment by the upbeat Rock Mafia. Food trucks scheduled thus far to participate in the 2024 Alton Food Truck Festival are: Beast Craft BBQ Cajun Seduction Doughboy’s Wood Fired Pizza Duchess Royal Fire & Ice G Burrito Go Gyro Go Grace Chicken & Fish Jive Turkey The Moobile Mr. Noodle Pig On A Wing Scoops of Joy The Sweet Side Takozz Treaux’s Cajun BBQ Tuk Tuk Thai “This year’s Alton Food Truck Festival is shaping up to be the best one yet,” said Dan Herkert, Amphitheater Commission Chair. “This is one of the most popular events each season at the Alton Amphitheater, and we expect another great crowd this year.”

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ALTON - As of Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, Gordon Moore Park is officially reopened. Following the sinkhole that occurred in the park on June 26, 2024, the park was closed so that mining company New Frontier Materials and the Mining Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) could conduct an investigation. The park has since been deemed safe, and it has completely reopened except for Ballfield #1 and the soccer field where the sinkhole occurred. Alton Mayor David Goins unlocked the gates at 7 a.m. on Friday morning. “This has been such a long time coming,” Goins said. “It’s just a sense of relief knowing that the park is open and that people can come back and start enjoying the park." New Frontier Materials has been drilling near the sinkhole and bolting the mine ceiling to verify the thickness of the rock. New Frontier Materials, MSHA and the City’s civil and geotechnical engineers agree that there are sufficient rock ceilings in place to reopen the park

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SWANSEA - On Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, the Swansea Police Department announced a traffic safety campaign aimed at reducing impaired driving and other hazardous driving behaviors in its own “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It Or Ticket” campaign. Swansea Police Chief Matthew Blomberg announced the campaign will run from Aug. 16 through the early morning hours of Sept. 3, encompassing Labor Day weekend. “We want our community to understand the importance of making smart decisions behind the wheel and on Labor Day and every day,” the chief said. “While our goal is voluntary compliance, drivers should expect strict enforcement of all Swansea roads every day.” In addition to targeting impaired drivers, the campaign will emphasized the “Click It Or Ticket” initiative underscoring the importance of wearing seat belts. Chief Blomberg also urged residents to designate a sober driver when they celebrate. “Do not le

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GRAFTON — Families and children gathered at Red Hawk Park on Saturday, August 10, 2024, for Grafton's Family Fun Day, a final celebration before the school year begins. The event, organized by the Family Fun Day Committee, offered a variety of activities and refreshments that delighted attendees. The festivities kicked off with Kylie Muntz, Little Miss Jersey County 2024, who participated in the evening's activities, including sitting behind the wheel of a fire truck and getting her face painted by local resident Magge Tarr Soer. Soer's unique face-painting designs were a highlight of the event. Families enjoyed free hot dogs, chips, and water provided by Got Faith Church. Children had the opportunity to explore a fire engine with the knowledgeable crew from QEM and get a firsthand look at one of Grafton's police cars with retired Sergeant Peggy O'Neil. The park buzzed with excitement as children slid, ran, and played, while families relaxed and engaged in games like pickleball.

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GRANITE CITY - Isaiah Ford in a senior returning defensive back for the Granite City football team, and is anxious and determined to help the Warriors come back from the 2023 season, where the Warriors had a difficult time in a 0-9 campaign. The Warriors open up the 2024 season on Aug. 30, 2024, against Triad at Memorial Stadium/Kevin Greene Field, and there's already a renewed sense of optimism and happiness around the club. Ford has noticed it, and is very happy with the early change. Ford is a Stillwater Senior Living Male Athlete of the Month. "For me, things have been going well," Ford said in an interview conducted during a break in practice on Aug. 13. "I've been in the weight room as much as I can, I've been trying to better myself, and make sure I have an overall better performance for myself." There's also a much more sense of calm and serenity over the team as well, and Ford couldn't help but notice that, also. "The team, the overall morale is a lot better than last

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS – An Effingham County man is facing multiple federal charges for accusations of defrauding and stealing more than $330,000 from an elderly individual. A federal grand jury charged Edward L. Stief, Jr., 41, with five counts of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud and one count of monetary transaction in criminally derived property. “Financial exploitation of vulnerable populations is deplorable, and the Department of Justice is committed to supporting victims and combatting elder abuse in its many forms against offenders intent on enriching themselves at another’s expense,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. According to the charging document, Stief convinced the victim to appoint him as his Financial and Healthcare Power of Attorney in May 2023. In October 2023, Stief persuaded the victim to leave a nursing home facility and move into his full-time care. Stief was a signatory on the victim’s bank accounts, talked the victim into

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CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced a pivotal $20 million commitment to further elevate Illinois’ position as a national leader in technology and innovation through the Venture Investment for Semiconductor Technology Advancement (VISTA) initiative. This strategic funding will strengthen Illinois’ already robust ecosystem, catalyzing transformative innovations and attracting substantial private investments that will drive the state’s leadership in semiconductor technology. ? “Here in Illinois, we’re providing the critical support that startups need to thrive and advancing sectors that will define tomorrow’s technology,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “With a $20 million commitment to the VISTA initiative, we’re pushing the boundaries in semiconductor technology and bringing in investments that will further cement Illinois as a leader in both

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ALTON - Antoine and Antonia Phillips, siblings from Alton Illinois, have earned the honor of representing Team USA in wrestling at the Deaflympics 2025 in Tokyo, Japan. This announcement was made by the duo, who expressed their excitement and are seeking support to cover their participation expenses. Antoine Phillips, a freshman at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in New York, is majoring in Precision Manufacturing Technology. He is a member of the RIT wrestling team and will compete in the 73 kg weight class for men’s wrestling at the Deaflympics. Antoine has previously been an IWCOA State Qualifier and was selected to wrestle in the Illinois vs. Missouri All Star Dual. Antonia Phillips, a sophomore at Aurora University in Illinois, is majoring in Sports Management and Marketing. She is a member of the Aurora Women’s wrestling team and has a notable record, including being the IHSA Girls Wrestling State Champion in 2022 for 140 lbs. Antonia also placed third

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SPRINGFIELD – Due to Thursday evening’s weather forecast, the start time for the Jonas Brothers concert has been moved up to 7 p.m. Gates will open at 6 p.m. The sold-out pre-show party will begin at 4:30 p.m. Concert tickets are still available online at ticketmaster.com or at the Grandstand box office. The 2024 Illinois State Fair runs through August 18 in Springfield. Stay up to date with all the latest news and announcements from the Illinois State Fair by connecting with us via Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and the Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service announced the finalists and winner of the 2024 Governor’s Hometown Awards on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024, during a ceremony in Springfield. The City of Edwardsville's Challenger Baseball program was honored with the prestigious Governor's Cup. The award ceremony, held at Erin’s Pavilion, recognized the City of Edwardsville for its partnership with the Madison County Challenger Baseball program, which provides children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to play baseball on a fully accessible field at Plummer Family Park. Governor J.B. Pritzker praised the finalists for their community-driven efforts. “Nowhere will you find a more compassionate and community-driven spirit than in Illinois,” Pritzker said. “This year’s Governor’s Hometown Awards finalists embody that very spirit, exemplifying how collectiv

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ALTON - The Marquette Catholic High School football team showed their civic pride on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, by volunteering at the Scotty McCreery concert. Head coach Eric Dickerson said that the kids and parents were eager to volunteer at the Alton Riverfront Amphitheater. He explained that it’s part of Marquette’s mission to give back, and they were happy to help the community after the people of Alton have done so much for them. “It’s just great to give back to the community that supports us all year long,” Dickerson said. “They come out, watch us and support the school. We can give back what we can, so it’s a great opportunity for us to get out and be amongst our community.” Assistant coach Billy Sprague organized the volunteer opportunity. Dickerson, the team and their parents were immediately on board. Dickerson said the MCHS football team is “looking great” ahead of this season. They had 45 kids who came

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ office has transformed its Melrose Park facility into a DMV+ and “One-Stop-Shop” design, offering new services and reduced wait times. The Melrose Park location marks the first DMV+ facility, which includes Secretary of State services that have never been accessible at an Illinois DMV location. These include specialized services from its Business, Index and Personnel Departments that would otherwise require an in-person visit to a Secretary of State’s office located in downtown Chicago or Springfield. In addition, the DMV+ also includes a One-Stop-Shop design that combines both driver and vehicle services, allowing customers to access service at a single customer service counter and reducing the number of steps to create a more intuitive flow. It also frees up space for additional service stations and appointments to accommodate more customers. “Our continued effort to modernize the office allow

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FIELDON - A Fieldon man faces multiple felonies after throwing a brick through the window of a moving vehicle and striking the driver. Joseph D. East, 25, of Fieldon, was charged with aggravated battery (a Class 3 felony), criminal damage to property (a Class 4 felony), and reckless driving (a Class A misdemeanor). On July 13, 2024, East allegedly “threw a brick” at the victim’s vehicle as they drove by the Pour House Bar in Fieldon, according to Jersey County court documents. The brick went “through the driver’s side window,” striking the victim in the arm and resulting in both the battery and criminal damage charges against East. The vehicle damage totaled over $500. He also reportedly “endangered the bodily safety of the general public while driving in a reckless manner,” resulting in the misdemeanor charge in this case. East has since been granted pretrial release and was issued a summons to appear in court on Sept. 3,

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ALTON - In a ceremony held recently, Police Chief Jarrett Ford swore in the four newest members of the Alton Police Department. The new officers, Isaiah Hampton, Jordan Picklesimer, Steven Vaughn, and Joshua Saucedo-Hernandez, stood side by side as they took their oaths of office. "We are very excited to have them join the department," Chief Ford said during the ceremony. "They will soon depart for the police academy. We look forward to their successful academy training and having them join us in serving Alton." The new officers are set to begin their training at the police academy in the coming weeks. Their addition to the force is seen as a positive step toward bolstering the department’s capabilities and enhancing public safety in Alton.

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ALTON - In the summer of 1924, Altonians were excited about driving automobiles. Auto clubs sprang up all over the place, there was a car column in the Alton Telegraph, and there were picnic fundraisers to cinder dirt roads all over town. On August 11, 1924, an Alton Automobile Club presentation on automobile safety at Riverview Park drew a large crowd. It was a cold night for August, and many of the attendees wore their winter coats. At this time, there were 3,600 automobiles in the district and approximately 36,000 residents, one auto or truck for every ten people. Speakers at the automobile safety meeting included G. C. Varnum, secretary and manager of the St. Louis Safety Council, and Roy Rauschkolb, chairman of the development services of the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce. They recommended measures such as a safe drivers’ club and a vigilance committee and encouraged pedestrians to use street crossings and drivers to follow traffic guidelines. Varnum recited a little

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BELLEVILLE — In a recent ceremony, the Belleville Police Department officially welcomed two new recruits, Officer Headen and Officer Ortiz. Both officers took their oath to protect and serve the citizens of Belleville and will soon begin their training at the police academy. The swearing-in event marks a significant step in the careers of Headen and Ortiz, who are set to join the ranks of the Belleville Police Department. "We would like you to join us in welcoming them to our department," stated a representative from the department. The new recruits will undergo rigorous training at the academy, preparing them for the challenges and responsibilities that come with their roles in law enforcement.

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