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Letter To The Editor: The strength of any legislative body is measured not only by the decisions it makes, but by the fairness of the process that leads to those decisions. Public confidence depends upon the expectation that every elected official is afforded the same opportunity to participate meaningfully in the work of governing. As the Alton City Council convenes for a special meeting on Wednesday night regarding legal expenses associated with Mayor David Goins’ Temporary Restraining

O’FALLON, Ill. – A local man accused of escaping from custody while serving a sentence for domestic battery faces his latest felony charge in Madison County. Cory A. Gehrs, 35, of O’Fallon, Ill., was charged on July 24, 2026 with a Class 3 felony count of escape. Gehrs, who had previously been convicted of domestic battery and sentenced to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, allegedly knowingly failed to return to the custody of the Madison County Jail befor

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Revity Credit Union said it raised $44,984 for the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight through its 10th Annual Tee Up Fore Veterans Golf Tournament at Stonewolf Golf Club in Fairview Heights, helping fund trips for veterans to visit memorials in Washington. The event, held in Fairview Heights, brought together local businesses, golfers, volunteers and supporters to benefit the nonprofit, which transports veterans to Washington, D.C., to see memorials dedicated to their service

JERSEYVILLE - Evercare marked the grand opening of its newest location in Jerseyville with the launch of a modern care center at 410 Fletcher St. that will offer short-term rehabilitation and long-term nursing care in the community. The new facility expands Evercare’s presence in the region and is intended to address a need for elder care in the area, according to Michael Irey, vice president of business development. The center also includes a rapid rehabilitation program. Irey said there

EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County Emergency Management Agency Director Fred Patterson announced Monday that he will retire Friday, bringing to a close four years of leading the county’s emergency preparedness and response efforts. Patterson shared the news during the Madison County Board’s Public Safety Committee meeting, where he reflected on the progress made after he joined the county and thanked board members, county leadership and agency partners for their support. “I

EDWARDSVILLE - A vehicle crashed into a closed Honey Baked Ham Seasonal Store and struck an Edwardsville Police Department squad car Tuesday morning in the 1500 block of Troy Road in Edwardsville, leaving one officer with minor injuries, according to Illinois State Police. Illinois State Police Troop 8 said it responded to the scene in Madison County at approximately 10:02 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, after a report of a vehicle that had crashed into the business. The business was closed and

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias today joined Governor JB Pritzker as he signed landmark legislation, transforming how auto insurance rates are regulated in Illinois. The measure establishes long-overdue safeguards with the strongest consumer protections in decades and gives the state new authority to challenge excessive premium increases. With the Governor’s signature, Illinois is no longer one of only two states without meaningful authority to challenge

GODFREY – Godfrey officials may soon place another six-month pause on applications to build a data center in the village. A resolution extending a moratorium on the acceptance of data center applications pending further study appears on the Village Board agenda for Aug. 4, 2026. Trustees previously passed a 180-day moratorium on data center applications on Jan. 20, 2026, which has since expired. “The Village of Godfrey is committed to protecting the public health, safety, and welfare

EDWARDSVILLE - The local LGBTQ+ community and allies will come together for a celebration in Edwardsville next weekend. From 2–6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, Rainbow House will host their annual Pride Picnic complete with pizza, music, vendors, yard games and more fun. Similar to a Pride festival, this picnic is smaller than a festival and more focused on building community and connection. David Roderick, director of Rainbow House, highlighted their goal to bring people together

GLEN CARBON - Father McGivney Catholic High School's Isaac Wendler joined Omar Avalos as Griffins players selected to the 2026 IHSA Class 2A All-State Team, recognizing them among the team's top players. McGivney baseball coach Chris Erwin praised Wendler’s impact on the Griffins team in 2026. Wendler is a Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Male Athlete of the Month for the Griffins for his efforts on the baseball field this past spring. “He is so intimidating at the plate and anchore

CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker today signed HB 4273 and SB 714 into law, delivering reforms that will make Illinois’ homeowners and auto insurance markets more transparent, equitable, and accountable to consumers. “For too long, Illinois working families have been forced to pay higher insurance bills without receiving a clear explanation of why their rates went up,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “That changes today. These commonsense reforms will bring greater transparency

EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Municipal Band will continue its summer concert season this week with KIDZ KONZERT, a family-friendly program featuring music from animated films and novelty selections at two free outdoor performances in Edwardsville. The first concert is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 6, at 7:30 p.m. at the Cleaon Etzkorn Bandstand in City Park. A second, bonus matinee performance will follow on Sunday, Aug. 9, at 4 p.m. at Leclaire Park. The program includes themes from animated

ALTON - Do you have questions about estate planning and taxes? A free dinner plans to help community members decode these issues. At 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, at The Wedge in Alton, Stephens Planning will partner with Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C., to share information about estate planning and how estate taxes can impact your family. Curtis Stephens and Liz Heller hope their combined 30 years of experience help attendees understand what they need to do to protect their assets

EFFINGHAM – The Illinois State Police (ISP) opened its newest Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) kiosk, providing real-time, in-person assistance to Illinoisans who need help with their Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) cards and Concealed Carry Licenses (CCL). The newest kiosk, located at the ISP Troop 9 headquarters in Effingham, was created to assist individuals experiencing difficulties with the online FOID and CCL website, or those without online access. The location an

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced a settlement with the entities responsible for distributing Posh, one of Illinois’ bestselling disposable vape brands. The settlement resolves allegations the entities violated the Illinois Youth Prevention Vaping Act by selling unauthorized flavored e-cigarettes and marketing those products in ways that are attractive to youth. “Today’s settlement ensures one of the most prolific vaping brands in Illinois will

CHICAGO – August marks National Black Business Month. Over the last seven years, Governor JB Pritzker’s support for Black-owned businesses has strengthened Illinois’ economy and delivered prosperity throughout the state. Under Gov. Pritzker’s leadership, Illinois has invested tens of millions of dollars in Black-owned businesses through the Back to Business (B2B) and Business Interruption grant programs. The governor also created a $10 million grant program for

WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) praised Dr. Anthony Fauci for his many contributions to public health—including leading us through the COVID-19 pandemic, HIV/AIDS research, and various public health crises over his decades of public service. Due to his incredible contributions and hard work spanning decades, Dr. Fauci has saved millions of lives. Durbin also condemned Senate Republicans’ sham hearing last week where

EAST ST. LOUIS - A body was reported in the roadway near 76th and State Street in East St. Louis late Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, prompting a response from Illinois State Police and an active investigation, according to state police. East St. Louis Police received the call at about 10:02 p.m. Monday, Illinois State Police said in a statement on Tuesday morning, Aug. 4, 2026. The agency said its Public Safety Enforcement Group responded to the scene. “The investigation is still active,”

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 23 attorneys general, today filed a third lawsuit over the Trump administration’s efforts to impose illegal tariffs on American consumers and businesses. The case challenges the administration’s recent decision to increase tariffs on more than 80 countries that together account for 99.4% of all U.S. imports – costs that will be passed along to Americans already struggling to pay the prices of essential

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced nighttime ramp closures at Interstate 64 and Illinois 159 interchange in St. Clair County for ramp maintenance. The following ramps will be closed during the scheduled overnight hours, weather permitting: Southbound Illinois 159 to eastbound I-64 ramp Beginning at 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, the ramp will be closed until 6 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5. The ramp will reopen during the day and will close again at 9 p.m.