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CHICAGO - In the first Illinois Poll after the June primary, Governor JB Pritzker leads his Republican opponent State Senator Darren Bailey by nine points. The first-term Governor was the choice of 48.9% of the respondents, while the downstate State Senator received 39.0% of the vote. The results are part of the latest Illinois poll, conducted July 17-19, 2022. It is a semi-monthly survey conducted since 2001 by Victory Research, an independent polling company based in Chicago. The poll of 1208 likely Illinois general election voters has a margin of error of 2.82% and was conducted by live callers. Respondents answered on landlines (411) and cell phones (797). www.illinoispoliticsblog.com . Pritzker, a first-term Governor, fell below the 50% mark for the first time in 2022, according to the poll, in both the head-to-head matchup with Bailey and a question about whether he has earned another term in office. In the January Illinois Poll, for example, Pritzker’s “re-elect”

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ST. LOUIS - Critics are hailing Union Avenue Opera’s Twenty-Eighth Festival Season opener Eugene Onegin as “super,” “excellent,” and “an intense production filled with incredible performances.” Amidst the excitement the cast of UAO’s production of Falstaff have begun staging Verdi’s riotous Italian romp based on Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor. The production is helmed by director Jon Truitt and conductor Stephen Hargreaves who previously paired together for last summer’s critically acclaimed Il barbiere di Siviglia at the Big Top. “This is one of my all-time favorite operas because of the extraordinary quality of the music, the libretto, and the story,” said Truitt. “We are seeing Verdi here at the height of his powers writing to an excellent ‘better than the original Shakespeare’ libretto by Arrigo Boito – a great composer in his own right. There’s just so

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ST. LOUIS - The American Red Cross of Missouri and Arkansas is seeking individuals interested in serving in a new virtual volunteer role: regional disaster duty officer. The position can be done from home anywhere in the Missouri-Arkansas region and serves as a dispatcher, sending out Red Cross response teams to home fires or other local disasters as they happen. “Previously, we had a local disaster duty officer volunteer in each chapter area, but recently changed to a regional approach expanding the role to have greater responsibilities,” said Chris Harmon, Regional Disaster Officer for American Red Cross of Missouri and Arkansas. “Now, the regional disaster duty officer takes calls from about half of the two-state region, rather than a small number of counties, and they dispatch local on-call teams to provide immediate assistance to those affected by home fires or other disasters.” This newly expanded role is critical to the success of the organization.

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ST. LOUIS - By administrative order of Presiding Judge Michael F. Stelzer, the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court today announced it is implementing a temporary mask mandate for its jury assembly room on the first floor of the Civil Courts Building in downtown St. Louis. It will take effect on Monday, July 25, 2022, and will continue through at least Friday, September 2, 2022. The mandate applies to all Court employees, members of the public summoned for jury duty, and any other person inside any portion of the jury assembly room at any time. The jury assembly room is indoor space and the Court’s most high-traffic area where groups of dozens of people routinely gather at a single time throughout carrying out their jury service almost every week of the year. As such, and because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to encourage mask wearing in crowded indoor spaces, the Court believes this precautionary measure is an important step toward helping reduce

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $12,245,863 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) biomedical research grants for Illinois institutions. The funding will be put toward research programs across the state to support medical advancement in various fields, ranging from vascular diseases to mental health research. “Federal investments in medical research pushes our society forward, bringing us new treatments for the serious conditions that touch all of our families in one way or another,” said Durbin. “Illinois’ world-class research institutions will make good use of this federal funding to make devastating diseases like cancer, ALS, or heart disease more treatable.” “By increasing support for biomedical research, we can help deliver real public health results for Illinois families,” Duckworth said. “I will keep working with Senator Durbin

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - IMPACT Strategies’ office staff has grown by two – the firm has added Tori DeClercq as Project Assistant and Gerica Stucker as Accounting Coordinator. Tori DeClercq holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science from Western Illinois University. In her new position as Project Assistant, Tori will be assisting project managers throughout all phases of construction on IMPACT’s projects across the region. She joined IMPACT Strategies in April after working for several years in the agricultural industry. DeClercq lives in Freeburg, IL with her husband and one-year-old daughter. Gerica Stucker brings more than seven years of administrative experience in the construction industry to her new role as Accounting Coordinator. A member of the IMPACT team since May, she holds an Associate of Science degree from Southeastern Illinois College. Stucker resides in Collinsville, IL. Mark Hinrichs, President of IMPACT Strategies said, “We are

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representatives Marie Newman (D-IL-3) and Mike Quigley (D-IL-5) today sent a letter to Federal Railroad Administrator (FRA) Amit Bose urging him to consider Illinois as a home for the future University Rail Research and Development Center of Excellence. The Members authored language in the historic bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requiring FRA to establish the rail research center, which aims to advance railway technology and improve national transportation infrastructure. “We write to highlight a provision that we authored establishing a University Rail Research and Development Center of Excellence, which would advance research and development to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of passenger and freight rail transportation. As the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) carries out the implementation of this provision of the IIJA,

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MADISON - BJC Hospice has a new office location in Glen Carbon, conveniently located on Illinois St. Route 157. Volunteers are needed in Madison, St. Clair, Jersey, Greene, Calhoun, Monroe, and Macoupin counties. In hospice’s goal of helping patients live their lives among those who love them, most of our patients still live in their homes, or senior living residences. There are numerous ways volunteers can help patients and families live life to the fullest. BJC Hospice has volunteer opportunities in many areas including visits, bereavement follow-up calls, sending cards to patients, caregiver relief, office support in a non-clinical setting, which can include computer work, preparing mailings or filing, manicurists and hair stylists, pets, music and massage therapy, sewing, providing spiritual support to patients and/or families, veterans helping other veterans, running errands, life review, or sitting with a patient in their final 24-48 hours. BJC Hospice offices are

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EAST ST. LOUIS – Delvin O.E. Mills, 29, of North Lauderdale, Florida, was sentenced to 42 months in prison on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, in connection with his involvement in a bank fraud scheme that targeted female victims in Southern Illinois. The group targeted banks located in Glen Carbon and Wood River. Mills was also ordered to pay restitution, a $2,000 fine, and serve five years on supervised release upon his release from prison. Mills and his co-defendant, Mary Thornhill, attempted to cash checks at local banks using the furthest lane of each bank’s drive-up window to avoid detection by the tellers. The “Felony Lane Gang” is a term used by law enforcement to describe individuals who use this tactic to defraud banks. In July 2021, Mills conspired with others to cash stolen checks and fraudulently obtain funds from financial institutions using stolen driver's licenses belonging to individuals living in Southern Illinois. Mills admitted members of the conspiracy

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EDWARDSVILLE— On Nov. 8 th , all voters in Madison County will be able to voice their opinion on the new Judicial Subcircuit Law, which prevents 2/3 of Madison County voters from voting on the three upcoming judicial vacancies. The following referendum question, which was approved on July 20 by the County Board by a vote of 23 to 2, will now appear on the Nov. 8 th ballot: "Should all Madison County voters have the right to vote for each Madison County Circuit Judge, instead of only being allowed to vote if they reside in a politically-gerrymandered subcircuit of the county created by the General Assembly in Springfield?" Yes No Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine, who is opposing the Judicial Subcircuit Law in court on behalf of the County, congratulated the overwhelming and bipartisan County Board vote approving the referendum. "Last night's 23-2 vote shows that Madison County continues to stand united against this unfair and unwise judicial gerrymandering

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ALTON - The Hong Kong House at 1720 Washington Avenue in Alton has been closed for a long period of time, but management said Thursday that within a week or two, it will once again open its doors. Lian Peng of Hong Kong House was at the business on Thursday and said she and the others associated with it are "very excited" to be near the re-opening. The Hong Kong House's new menu says it has been serving the area since 1981. Hours will be as follows: Sunday - 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday - 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Hong Kong House will be available for dine-in, carry out and drive-thru, the menu says. The Chinese food will include appetizers, soups, fried rice, Lo Mein, Chow Mein, Egg Food Young, vegetable dinners, beef dinners, house specials, a child's plate, a party tray, and many other extras.

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ALTON - Two vehicles collided around 3 p.m. on Thursday on 20th and Alby Street in Alton and one vehicle overturned. The person in the overturned vehicle was not seriously injured and able to get out of the vehicle on their own. The driver in the other vehicle did suffer a wrist injury and was transported to an area hospital. Alton Fire Department and Alton Police Department worked the scene. Motorists are recommended to avoid the area at this time.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced a total of $46,851,870 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants to support Head Start services for children under the age of five in receiving wrap-around support in early learning and development. “This federal investment will be put toward building the foundation for lifelong success for children by supporting their early learning, health, and family well-being,” Durbin said. “I hope these organizations will thrive and open up new opportunities to local Illinois families with this extra support.” “Head Start and Early Head Start programs are critical for kids throughout Illinois to have the tools they need to succeed both inside and outside of the classroom,” Duckworth said. “Investments in early childhood education and parental support programs are investments in our future. I’m proud to continue

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GRAFTON - The large piece of machinery, what can best be described as a large boat hoist, has been sitting idle in a parking lot in Lockhaven since the 1960s according to some reports. The hoist is still believed to be fully operational and is being moved to a new location where it can continue to be used. It was towed over to Grafton where it was then loaded onto a ferry to its final resting place at the Longshot Marina in Portage De Sioux. Ambition Towing based out of St. Louis was in charge of the towing operation. Below are pictures of the tow truck and hitch setup. Scott Mandrell, the man who was spearheading this operation Thursday morning (July 21) said that "it's a really unusual load." The machine easily takes up both lanes as it went down Route 100 into Grafton, which required a little assistance from the authorities. A State Police Officer gave the tow truck and other men an escort into Grafton to ensure everyone's safety. The hoist was going to be scrapped afte

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EDWARDSVILLE – Nearly 100 years after Route 66 first made its mark on the way Americans travel, it’s leaving another mark — this time on a blank wall in downtown Edwardsville. A St. Louis County artist has begun turning a building wall on the southeast corner of East Vandalia and South Main streets into one of 11 murals highlighting Route 66 in southern Illinois towns. The hand-painted project is expected to take about a week to complete. Daniel Ricketts of St. Louis Sign & Mural began working on the Edwardsville mural, the second of 11 that will be installed, on Thursday. It’s part of a Mural Trail being created to highlight Route 66 in an effort led by the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau. Route 66, the so-called Mother Road that spanned at least 2,400 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles, turns 100 in 2026. In May, the tourism bureau received a $919,000 Route 66 state grant to fund the murals and a series of other projects highlighting the historic highway.

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CHICAGO – The Mega Millions jackpot has now been raised to $660 million for tomorrow night's drawing. If won, this would be the third largest Mega Millions jackpot ever won in the history of the game. The first Mega Millions drawing was on May 17, 2002, and Illinois was one of the first lotteries to start playing this multi-state game. Now it is offered by 47 lotteries across the U.S. In the 20-year history of the game, 221 players have scooped the Mega Millions jackpot. Mega Millions is played every Tuesday and Friday night, with the next draw taking place on Friday, July 22 at 10 p.m. (CT). Mega Millions tickets are $2 each, and players can add the Megaplier for an additional $1 for the chance to multiply non-jackpot prizes. Background Top five Mega Millions jackpots won: $1.5 billion - South Carolina, October 2018 $1 billion - Michigan, January 2021 $646 million - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, March 2012 $648 million - California, Georgia, December 2013 $543 million

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The deceased has been identified as Travone Mister, Jr., 6 years of age, of the 4300 block of Seibert Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri, 63123. St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a drowning at the Kennedy Recreation Complex Pool located at 6050 Wells Road which resulted in the death of a child. On July 20, 2022, at 1:31 PM, St. Louis County police officers from the Affton Southwest Precinct responded to a call for service for a sick case at the Kennedy Recreation Complex Pool. Arriving officers located an unresponsive 6-year-old male child. The child was transported to an area hospital for life-saving treatment but was pronounced deceased. A preliminary investigation has revealed the child was found in the pool unresponsive. CPR was initiated by those on the scene. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available.

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ST. LOUIS – Today, at a groundbreaking mayoral summit regarding gun violence prevention and holding the gun industry accountable, City of St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones and Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, co-chairs of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, released new data on the manufacturers of guns used in crimes in Kansas City and St. Louis and called on their fellow mayors across the country to do the same. The summit was hosted by Mayors Against Illegal Guns Co-Chair New York Mayor Eric Adams, in partnership with the African American Mayors Association. “Gun violence is devastating St. Louis and cities across the country, and for too long, gun manufacturers have profited with zero accountability,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “We convened this summit to send a strong message to reckless actors in the gun industry: your days operating in the shadows are coming to a close.” “Just like how Big Tobacco needed to be held accountable for its role

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WASHINGTON DC – Today, Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, led a majority of the CBC in a letter to Federal Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf expressing strong support for the FDA’s proposed rule to remove menthol cigarettes from the market. “After decades of the tobacco industry’s targeting of our children and our communities with pervasive marketing campaigns and price discounts, use of menthol cigarettes skyrocketed among Black Americans. As of 2020, menthol cigarettes accounted for 37% of all cigarette sales —the highest proportion since major tobacco companies were required to report the domestic market share of menthol and non-menthol cigarettes,” wrote the members. “The net result of these predatory marketing strategies is the Black community is suffering unfairly and disproportionately from tobacco-related diseases.” In 2019, approximately 85% of

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee today unanimously voted to advance U.S. Representative Mike Bost’s (IL-12) Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act to the full House for approval. The bill would set aside existing U.S. Department of Transportation funding to address a critical shortage in available parking for semis and large commercial trucks. “Growing up in a family trucking business, I am all too familiar with the struggle our nation’s truckers face as they push the extra mile to find somewhere safe to park,” said Bost. “Expanding access to parking options for truckers will not only help ensure their safety and the safety of all on the road but will also help address our supply chain crisis by ensuring they aren’t spending precious time searching for somewhere to park. I’m grateful to my colleagues for supporting my bill today and hope that it will quickly be brought up for a vote on the House floor

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