SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs today unveiled a new community investment program designed to build affordable housing, help nonprofits, and generate returns for the state. Frerichs invested $10 million with IFF , a Chicago-based Community Development Financial Institution that promotes economic development by providing financing and real estate consulting across the Midwest to nonprofits and people underserved by traditional financial institutions, particularly in low-incom
SHILOH - Local officials, transit leaders, stakeholders and residents are set to gather Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the Scott-Shiloh Transit Center in Shiloh, Illinois, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and inaugural bike ride celebrating a new $6 million, 4.5-mile extension of the MetroBikeLink Trail. The event, scheduled for 9 a.m. at 880 Metro Plaza Lane, will mark the opening of the trail segment from the Scott-Shiloh Transit Center to near MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. Those expected to attend
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias is awarding more than $27 million in grants to libraries across Illinois, investing in books, technology, literacy programs, infrastructure improvements and security upgrades. The funding will support public and school libraries serving millions of Illinois residents and students while ensuring communities across the state have access to the resources they need to learn, grow and thrive. Since taking office
CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and Amrize celebrated the company’s new Chicago headquarters. Amrize’s decision to choose Chicago as its operational headquarters further solidifies Illinois’ role as a premier destination to locate or expand a business with its top-ranked infrastructure, access to supply chains, and skilled workforce. “Amrize’s official new headquarters marks
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Rockhurst University has announced the dean's list for the spring 2026 semester. This honor recognizes students who have achieved a grade-point average of 3.5 or above. The following students earned a place on the list: HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME Granite City, IL Isa Wilmsmeyer Rockhurst University, founded in 1910 and located in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri, is a Catholic university in the Jesuit tradition committed to providing inclusive, innovative and transformative
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - Two St. Louis County residents have been charged with multiple sex crimes involving children after investigators executed a search warrant at a south St. Louis residence, according to the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The charges were issued on Thursday, June 18, 2026, against Marissa Thomas, 37, of the 7000 block of Blue Mountain Drive in St. Louis, and on Monday, June 22, 2026, against Christopher Stewart, 35, of the same block, authorities said.
JERSEYVILLE – A 66-year-old Jerseyville man accused of sexually abusing two minors who described him as a “grandfather” figure currently remains in custody. Andrew M. Laubscher, 66, of the 500 block of South Liberty Street in Jerseyville, was charged on May 29, 2026 with one count of criminal sexual assault and three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, all Class 1 felonies. From March 1 to March 31, 2026, Laubscher allegedly committed a series of sexual acts upon tw
TROY, IL. - The Illinois Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting on June 29, 2026, in Troy, IL., to gather input on proposed improvements to U.S. 40 in Madison County, as the agency studies ways to address traffic safety and mobility along the corridor from Formosa Road to Illinois 162. The meeting is scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, June 29, at CA Henning School, 520 U.S. 40, Troy. IDOT, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, has initiated the preliminary
ST. LOUIS - St. Louis County Police announced on Tuesday morning, June 23, 2026, that the deceased in a tragic fire in the 2500 block of Palm Drive in Florissant, Mo., has been identified as Michael Ruhl, 54, who resided in the residence. St. Louis County Police discovered Ruhl dead inside the residence early Monday, June 22, 2026. Officers from the North County Precinct responded at 5:30 a.m. Monday, June 22, 2026, to assist the Florissant Valley Fire Department with a house fire in the 2500
COTTAGE HILLS - Madison County Sheriff’s detectives and the Madison County Coroner’s Office have been investigating the death of a 27-year-old woman since shortly after 11 a.m. Sunday, June 21, 2026, after she was found dead in a creek area near the 1100 block of Lee Street in Cottage Hills, authorities said. The woman was identified as Kayla C. Edwards, who was homeless, according to an update from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
ALTON - New signage now greets motorists and pedestrians at Lincoln-Douglas Square in Alton, where the Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club worked with the city to add an identifying marker to the western side of the historic site at the Landmarks/Piasa/Broadway intersection. The sign marks Lincoln-Douglas Square, which commemorates the 1858 debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas in their contest for the U.S. Senate. According to the provided information, the site had stood for decades but
JERSEY - Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100's Camp SMART at Jersey Community Middle School had what was described as “another fantastic week of learning and fun” last week, with students taking part in STEM activities, creative writing, games, and a school-wide kickball event to culminate activities. The district said Camp SMART highlighted student participation in a series of camp-themed activities at JCMS. The district said students brought “so much energy
MACOUPIN COUNTY – The Macoupin County Public Health Department confirmed the first positive surveillance pool for West Niles Virus in the county in 2026. The Macoupin County Public Health Department has confirmed the county’s first positive surveillance pool for West Nile virus in 2026, officials said after a mosquito pool in Gillespie tested positive on June 19, 2026. The department announced the finding and urged residents to take steps to reduce mosquito breeding areas and protect
CHICAGO – Operation Lifesaver has designated June 24 as Emergency Notification System (ENS) Sign Awareness Day to highlight the importance of blue and white signs posted at rail crossings across the country. “All motorists and pedestrians should know about these potentially life-saving signs, what the information listed means, and the steps to take if you or someone you witness get stuck on train tracks,” said Aisha Jackson, ICC Rail Safety Specialist and Illinois Operation
CHICAGO — The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) today announced 147 grants to organizations totaling $50.8 million in the latest round of Restore, Reinvest, and Renew (R3) Program funding. These grants continue the state’s commitment to uplifting communities that have experienced systemic racism and historic disinvestment. “Illinois is proud to make historic investments in neighborhoods that have too often been left out and left behind,” said Governo
SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans are invited to chronicle their stories, memories and reflections in audio recordings that will be permanently archived at the U.S. Library of Congress during a series of community recording sessions scheduled for this summer. Illinois Voices 250 is an initiative led by the Illinois America 250 Commission in partnership with Illinois Humanities and StoryCorps Studios. It’s the most expansive effort yet to ensure Illinois’ commemoration of the nation’s
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, sounded the alarm over the dramatic increase in deaths among detainees in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody since January 2025. In a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin and ICE Acting Director David Venturella, th
CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker joined nine fellow governors from across the country urging Congress to reject federal legislation that would grant sweeping legal protections to fossil fuel companies and limit the authority of states and local governments to enforce their own laws. In a letter signed by California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, and Illinois, the coalition of governors underscored that the proposed legislation
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor offering condolences to the families and friends of Delores Shelton and Sarita Kimble—who were killed by the recent tornadoes in Illinois this weekend. According to the Chicago Tribune , Illinois has experienced more than 147 confirmed tornadoes over the past six months, nearly three times the state average of 54 from 1990 to 2020. In 2024, the previous record year for tornadoes
EDWARDSVILLE — Did you know that every two seconds someone needs blood in the United States? Or that blood and platelets cannot be manufactured, they can only come from volunteer donors? To help meet the current demand for blood donations, State Senator Jason Plummer is partnering with Moose Lodge 1561 to host a blood drive on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at the Moose Lodge in Edwardsville. Donors are encouraged to come out to participate. Who: State Senator Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville)
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