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Treasurer's note: In honor of Veterans Day this coming weekend, the majority of this newsletter is devoted to our nation’s veterans. We all owe them a great debt of gratitude. I frequently talk about how much fun my job is. I get to make money for the state. I get to help families save for college and retirement. I get to return hundreds of millions of dollars in missing money to our residents. But there is no greater honor than the 10 times I have reunited veterans or their loved ones with Purple Heart medals that have been left in bank safety deposit boxes and turned over to my office. Part of that is because Veterans Day is important in my family. Over the decades, my family has kept alive the memories of Uncle Doug and Uncle Walt. April 28, 1968, is an important day for my family. It’s the day my parents were married. It’s also the day Amel Douglas Royalty, my Aunt Bev’s husband, was killed by an enemy mortar in Vietnam. She found out two weeks after the

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JERSEYVILLE - Charli Sawyer is a senior at Jersey Community High School, but she’s also an aspiring teacher who’s already going above and beyond for her students. Charli takes the TEACH class at JCHS, which offers dual credit with Lewis & Clark Community College and provides real-world teaching experience for seniors considering an educational career. She also takes Advanced Design, where students learn - among many other things - how to sew by machine and by hand. Combining the skills she’s learned in both classes, she recently made her students a special surprise - 19 handcrafted monsters made of felt, which are their new “reading buddies.” For 90 minutes each school day, Charli teaches Kindergarten students in Mrs. Goetten's classroom at West Elementary School. She encourages her students to read faithfully to their new “reading buddies” to help make their monsters smarter while learning valuable skills. “I want to help all kids succeed,&rdquo

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CARLINVILLE - To address what the U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy recognizes as “the defining public health crisis of our time ,” thirteen colleges have received $3.275 million in funding from The Endeavor Foundation for the first phase of “Enhancing Student Learning and Experience through Campus Wellness, Student Wellbeing, and Mental Health Initiatives.” The multi-year collaborative project seeks both to respond to pressing needs and to integrate attention to mental health, well-being, and wellness throughout student learning. “Student mental health issues represent an urgent challenge. These issues affect students in ways that prevent them from full participation in campus life and rob them of the precious sense of well-being which should be theirs. We hope that the Colleges’ work will help them transform their communities as well as inspire other institutions of higher learning to address challenges collectively,” said Julie Kidd,

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Name: Olin M. Gray Hometown: Alton KIA: No DOD: November 3, 2013 Branch: 4th Marine Raider Battalion Wars: WWII Medals Earned: Distinguished Service Cross Message: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private Olin M. Gray (MCSN: 458574), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company Q, FOURTH Marine Raider Battalion, in the early part of the engagement at Bairoko Harbor, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, on 20 July 1943. After all the other men in his machine-gun squad had been either killed or wounded, Private Gray, on his own initiative, took over the gun and manned it single-handedly with spectacular daring and zeal during the entire action. He repeatedly exposed himself purposely to the Japanese and boldly invited fire so that their gun position

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Name: Jeff Gray Hometown: Alton Branch: Navy Submitter's Name: Kathryn Gray

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Name: Conner Fassler Hometown: Alton Years of Service: 2023-Present Branch: Army Rank: PFC Message: Thank you for your willingness to do what it takes to defend us and our nation! Submitter's Name: Lori Fassler

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Name: Michael Earl Cronk Hometown: Alton KIA: No DOD: May 29, 2020 Branch: Army Rank: SP5 Wars: Vietnam Medals Earned: Honorable Discharge Commendation Award for Meritorious work Message: Husband, father, uncle, friend Submitter's Name: Valerie Trudell

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met with Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco to discuss Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) oversight. During their meeting, Durbin followed up on his September letter to Deputy Attorney General Monaco requesting information about the reports of excessive force in BOP facilities, including United States Penitentiary Thomson (USP Thomson). “I take BOP oversight seriously in my position as Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. I have sought to address the injustices and challenges that impact the daily lives of incarcerated Americans, as well as BOP staff. I am deeply disturbed by the reports of excessive force used in BOP facilities, particularly at USP Thomson,” said Durbin. “I met with Deputy Attorney General Monaco today to reiterate my concerns. I urged her to use her position in the Department of Justice to provide additional oversight to prison

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) today applauded Senate passage of their bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development (READ) Act of 2017 for an additional five years. The legislation equitably expands access to basic education for children around the globe. “Given the terrible learning loss around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic and troubling backsliding on girls education in places such as Afghanistan, reauthorizing the READ Act couldn't come at a more important time,” said Durbin. “Doing so will ensure U.S. development programs continue to focus on providing basic education around a sound, long-term strategy – one that includes making sure girls have access to schooling. This legislation has strong bipartisan support, and I’m encouraged that the Senate passed it unanimously. I urge the House to take up our legislation swiftly

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ALTON - Revity Credit Union employees joined together to raise $1,000.00 in the month of October to benefit Sleep in Heavenly Peace through their Smile for Jeans Program. The Smile for Jeans Program is funded by Revity Credit Union employees who make monthly, monetary donations out of their own pockets to a local organization. By donating $15 or more to a specific organization, Revity employees are able to wear jeans and tennis shoes on Fridays and Saturdays during that month. Nothing gets better than seeing a smile on an organization’s face when Revity Credit Union presents them with a jeans donation check. Revity Credit Union’s 2023 Smile for Jeans Program focuses on supporting our local communities that we work, play and live in. During the month of October, Revity employees proudly raised $1,000.00 for Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Sleep in Heavenly Peace makes sure no kid sleeps on the floor in our town! All children deserve a safe, comfortable place to lay their

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CHICAGO - Governor Pritzker today celebrated the state’s ninth credit rating upgrade in just over two years as Fitch Ratings elevated Illinois’ rating for general obligation bonds. This fiscal progress comes as the result of five balanced budgets and years of responsible financial management and discipline under Governor Pritzker and Democrats in the General Assembly. “We are continuing to right the past fiscal wrongs in our state with disciplined fiscal leadership, and credit rating agencies and businesses alike are taking notice of Illinois’ remarkable progress,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Another credit rating upgrade means millions saved for Illinois taxpayers in interest—money back in the pockets of our state where it can better serve our residents.” The rating of a state’s bonds is a measure of their credit quality. A higher bond rating generally means the state can borrow at a lower interest rate, saving taxpayers millions

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ALTON – A tale of mischief, mayhem, and murderous intent is coming to Alton Little Theater (ALT) Showplace with the opening of the critically acclaimed musical "A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder" on November 10th. ALT proudly brings this Tony Award-winning masterpiece to the community, promising a blend of laughter, romance, and unforgettable music. A story of Monty Navarro and his devilishly clever antics to inherit a family fortune, "A Gentleman’s Guide" has captivated audiences nationwide with its wit and whimsy. The ALT production features a robust cast of 13 extraordinary local talents, including the celebrated performances of Lorian Warford and Jess McCawley. The ALT Showplace is set to transform into the vibrant world of Edwardian England across several performances, offering both evening shows and matinees to accommodate all schedules: Evening Performances at 7:30 pm: November 10th, 11th, and 15th-18th, 2023 Matinee Performances at 2 pm: November 12th

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - The Making an IMPACT Foundation, a charitable foundation established by IMPACT Strategies of Fairview Heights, IL, held its second annual Sporting Clay Classic earlier this fall. The event was held at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta, IL. All proceeds were donated to Hoyleton Youth & Family Services for their Home for Healing Capital Campaign. Attendees enjoyed a luncheon and several competitive sporting clay events, followed by a happy hour and awards ceremony honoring the winners. The Making an IMPACT Foundation supports the local community with a focus on four Pillars of Support: Community, Healthcare, Education, and Children. The Foundation works to add value through charitable donations, volunteer service projects, and lasting partnerships. Our mission is to support and engage employees of the IMPACT Strategies team to embrace the community and others by investing their time, talent, and resources. IMPACT Strategies Foundation Committee

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ALTON - The Alton Police Department immediately responded to a report of multiple gunshots fired in the 900 block of East Seventh Street in Alton at 9:16 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, and discovered an adult male had been struck by gunfire while in a residence. "He was transported by the Alton Fire Department to a local hospital and subsequently flown to a St. Louis area hospital," Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said. "He was later pronounced deceased at the St. Louis area hospital." "Preliminary investigation has revealed this to be a domestic-related incident. There is no reason to believe there is any ongoing threat to the public." Ford continued and said: "Detectives of the Alton Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division worked throughout the night and are still following up on leads this morning. They have been assisted by the Illinois State Police, the St. Louis County Police Department, and the St. Louis Medical Examiner's Office." Anyone with information

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To the Editor, As a public servant with over three decades of dedicated service, I have witnessed the shifting landscape of community engagement, particularly with the rise of social media. I write today with deep concern regarding the South Roxana Community Facebook Page. What began as an initiative I once supported—conceived by two friends to provide information and unite our town—has diverged alarmingly from its intended course, now undermining the democratic principles we hold dear. Having distanced myself from social media, I find these platforms too often echo misinformation and foster a craving for immediate attention rather than cultivating an informed and active citizenry. This page, which I initially supported the launch with the premise of offering a beacon of truth, has instead deviated into a one-sided forum where dissenting voices, especially those of our town's elected officials and employees, have been blocked from the page and prohibited from seeing the

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville City Council approved the appointment of a new 2nd Ward Alderman to serve the remainder of Jack Burns’s term after his passing last month . Former Edwardsville Mayor Hal Patton will now fill the role after being sworn in at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Mayor Art Risavy said he’s honored to have Patton back on the City Council, where he first began his career in public service over 20 years ago - incidentally, as 2nd Ward Alderman. He also served on the Madison County Board before being elected and re-elected as mayor in 2013 and 2017. “Hal approached me about honoring Alderman Jack Burns, who he encouraged to run for the Aldermanic seat, and he asked if he could be considered to fill out Jack Burns’s term,” Risavy said. “I can think of no better person to serve that seat. I’m going to be honored to serve with Hal Patton as alderman. I’m so honored that he would want to participate in the

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A LTON - The Mothers Unique Grief Support Group and onlookers gathered at the Alton Amphitheater to release doves in honor of their children. On Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, nearly 50 people came together to pray and watch the doves take flight. Tears were shed as Mothers Unique member Rita Young read a poem that noted there are words to describe a person who lost a spouse and a child who lost a parent, “but there is no word to describe a person who loses a child because the loss is like no other.” “First of all, I’d like to give God all the praise, the honor and the glory for helping this group with the journey that we have been on,” said Mothers Unique founder Mary Jason. “I’d like to thank my grief support group for being so devoted and dedicated. They have been wonderful. They have helped me through the whole thing. Every walk, they were with me, and I thank them.” Many parents were present, including Michael Brown, Sr., and hi

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SPRINGFIELD - With an estimated 450,000 undocumented immigrants living in Illinois and the ever-increasing costs forced onto taxpayers to pay for their free Medicaid healthcare benefits, State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) has passed a Legislative Audit Commission resolution calling for an audit to ensure transparency on how much the State of Illinois is paying to provide free healthcare for undocumented immigrant adults ages 42 and up. “While individuals and families work hard each day to pay for their own healthcare costs, and seniors living on a fixed income carefully budget their monthly expenses, the taxpayers deserve certainty on how much the State is spending on free healthcare for undocumented immigrants. The audit I have requested will provide a transparent account of how our taxpayer dollars are being spent on this program.” On Tuesday, November 7th State Representative Amy Elik introduced a resolution (#165) at the Legislative Audit Commission’s

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ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School is proud to announce the induction of its newest members into the prestigious National Honor Society (NHS). The following Explorers are now members of the Marquette Catholic High School Rose Morelli Chapter of NHS: - Shawna Ahne - Lucia Lonero - Ava Albers - Karson Morrissey - Izabela Albers - Samantha Poole - Samantha Booth - Addison Pranger - Rose Brangenberg - Willa Pruitt - Amos Brass - Brooke Rister - Bradley Bower - Kel'c Robinson - Alyssa Coles - Tyler Roth - Alyssa Converse - Erin Schwartz - Lily Covert - Grace Schwegel - Payton Crane - Genesis Showers - Ryan DeClue - Chloe Steele - Cassidy Eccles - Maya Stephan - Nola Effinger - Luke Steyer - Marian Elmendorf - Grace Stoverink - William Fahnestock - Eleanor Tiemann - Addison Groshans - Caleb Thomeczek - Caleb Harteis - Tyra Wells - Laura Hewitt - Ellie Williams - Radley Hoener - Rodger Zawodniak - Niko Koeller. The National Honor Society is a prestigious organization that recognizes high

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ALTON - On a rainy fall afternoon, October 14th, 2023, 27 teams braved the elements to participate in the 17th annual charity golf tournament organized by Cope Plastics, Inc., a local company dedicated to supporting the community. The event, which was held at the beautiful Woodlands Golf Club and Banquet Center, successfully raised $13,996.37 for the Friends of Kids with Cancer, a charitable organization that has been offering vital support and hope to families with children battling pediatric cancer for over three decades. Friends of Kids with Cancer, based in the Saint Louis area, serves approximately 1,200 children and their families every year through educational and emotional programs. The organization has been at the forefront of the fight against pediatric cancer, providing essential resources and assistance to those in need. Cope has been a dedicated supporter of Friends of Kids with Cancer for the past 17 years and, during this time, has raised approximately $110,000 to

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