CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a coalition of 12 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit supporting the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in defending its “Building for the Future Through Electric Regional Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation” order. The order requires electric transmission providers to engage in long-term planning for regional transmission facilities and consider evolving demand
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) now leading the investigation into the deadly shooting of Alex Pretti, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) is demanding U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and FBI Director Kash Patel to immediately remove any Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents from the investigation. Duckworth’s letter follows the news that HSI agents were originally
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered opening remarks in today’s Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights hearing on fraud in Minnesota. As Durbin made clear in his opening remarks, today’s hearing failed to examine the full breadth of fraud occurring in the United States, including within the Trump Administration. Rather, the Subcommittee use
WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke about the weaponization of the Department of Justice (DOJ) under the leadership of Attorney General (AG) Pam Bondi one year since her confirmation by the U.S. Senate. “A year ago, the United States Senate voted to confirm Pam Bondi as Attorney General. As I said during her confirmation hearing last year, the Attorney General must be
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with the leadership and members of the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities (FIICU), which represents 54 private non-profit colleges across Illinois. During their meeting, Durbin and Duckworth spoke about the Trump Administration’s continued attacks on higher education, including limitations on financial support for students and pushing policies that
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 18 attorneys general, filed a comment letter opposing a federal proposal to eliminate minimum staffing standards and other comprehensive regulations for long-term health care facilities. “These standards increase access to long-term care, protect vulnerable patients, improve care and help to prevent fraud,” Raoul said. “I urge this administration to ensure that minimum staffing requirements are in place,
EDWARDSVILLE - Metro-East Lutheran’s boys basketball team has had a big week. The Knights picked up back-to-back wins this week, defeating Father McGivney Catholic on Tuesday and Southwestern on Wednesday, and will host rival Maryville Christian at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The boys' team stands as Spencer Homes Male Athletes of the Month for MELHS. Metro-East Lutheran led all the way in a 56-42 Gateway Metro Conference upset over Father McGivney at Hooks Gym. Father McGivney scored 14 points
EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Dining Services and the Morris University Center/Student Success Center announces the grand opening of Chimega Mart, a cutting-edge, cashierless convenience store located on the second floor of the Student Success Center. Chimega Mart is the newest addition to the Student Success Center and represents an innovative step forward in campus dining and retail convenience. Powered by Amazon Just Walk Out Technology, Chimega Mart allows
JERSEYVILLE – In conjunction with Jerseyville Banking Center, J.C.H.S. has selected their “Students of the Month”. The recipients for the month of January are Hailee Brown (11) (left) & Cecelia Alexander (10) (right). The selection of a “Student of the Month” is based upon the number of F.O.C.U.S. nominations, which a student receives for a given month. F.O.C.U.S. (Finding One Clearly Unique Student) is a program, which acknowledges a student each week for academics
O'FALLON, Ill. - O’Fallon Police Chief Kirk Brueggeman said he is seeking to clarify information about an officer-involved shooting in August. In a message from Chief Brueggeman, the O’Fallon Police Department said Officer Brett Johnson responded Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, to what the chief described as “a serious domestic disturbance involving a male armed with a knife who was actively attacking two family members.” Brueggeman said Johnson arrived at a residence
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Congressman Tracey Mann (KS-01) introduced the More Behavioral Health Providers Act to expand access to mental health and substance use disorder care in areas struggling with a shortage of mental health professionals. The bipartisan legislation would expand eligibility for incentives under Medicare’s Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) Physician Bonus Program to include physician assistants, nurse practitioners,
COLLINSVILLE - Community members can enjoy a sweet night while supporting a local church’s work. At 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, St. John’s United Church of Christ will host their annual “Death By Chocolate” fundraiser, complete with a silent auction, live music, and plenty of treats. Attendees can enjoy a variety of chocolate-based foods while raising money for St. John’s soup kitchen, after-school program, and music ministry. “You can’t go
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, asked U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, to hold a hearing with Trump Administration witnesses as Congress debates the reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) . The request follows a recent Committee hearing on the topic—without any Trump Administration officials present.
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general, four cities and one county on Wednesday in submitting a comment letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opposing its proposal to weaken corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for passenger cars and light trucks. Historically, the NHTSA’s standards have reduced consumer costs by improving fuel efficiency for vehicles and decreasing gasoline demand. However,
CHICAGO — The Illinois Lottery today announced it has been re-certified at Level 4 – the highest possible standard – under the World Lottery Association's (WLA) Responsible Gaming Framework, reaffirming its commitment to player protection and responsible gaming practices. The WLA Responsible Gaming Framework is the global lottery industry's most comprehensive and rigorous certification program, evaluating lotteries across 10 core principles including research, employee training,
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, along with a bipartisan group of Senators hosted the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, and Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S., Olha Stefanishyna. U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Ron Johnson (R-WI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT),
O’FALLON, Ill. – HSHS Medical Group is pleased to announce that Dr. David Shervin, board-certified orthopedic surgeon, has joined the team at HSHS Medical Group Orthopedic and Sports Medicine, located at 670 Pierce Blvd., in O’Fallon. Dr. Shervin specializes in hip and knee replacement surgery, including complex primary and revision procedures, as well as nonsurgical treatment of adult hip and knee conditions and lower extremity fractures. He is committed to compassionate,
GRANITE CITY – Granite City Elks Lodge #1063 recognized Granite City High School seniors Santiago Huerta and Katelynn Strubelt as Students of the Month for January. The Elks Student of the Month Program is designed to recognize outstanding young men and women for achievements in school and community life-fine arts, hobbies, athletics, church, school, club and community service, industry and farming. Nominees are judged on multiple achievements including leadership skills, good moral
WOOD RIVER – Wood River officials are researching a potential conflict of interest after a City Council member approved his own appointment to the Library Board of Trustees. At the Feb. 2, 2026, Wood River City Council meeting, council members voted 3-2 to appoint current Councilman Jeremy Plank to the Wood River Library Board. Voting against his appointment were Councilmen David Ayres and Bill Dettmers; voting in favor were Mayor Tom Stalcup, Councilman Scott Tweedy, and Plank himself.
GRANITE CITY - Granite City High School’s cheerleading team was honored before the recent boys basketball game against Belleville West, recognizing their upcoming participation in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) State Tournament. The Granite City cheer squad is Stillwater Senior Living Athletes of the Month. The Warriors cheer squad will compete for the fifth time in the program’s history on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Grossinger Motors Arena in Normal. The