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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) in leading 13 colleagues in calling on Secretary Antony Blinken and Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to expand assistance for relatives of U.S. citizens stranded in Gaza. The Senators expressed concerns about the current limited eligibility criteria for State Department assistance, and advocated for the State Department to press all conflicting parties to include additional family members beyond current practices. They also urged the Department of Homeland Security to implement expedited processes for adjudicating Gaza residents’ applications for humanitarian parole to the United States. Additionally, the Senators requested information on the current processes in place to assist individuals stuck in Gaza who would otherwise be eligible for visas or visa renewals. “We thank you for your steadfast leadership during this trying time,

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office returned nearly $17.2 million in missing money during January, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced today. The total includes more than $15.7 million in cash and interest and more than $1.4 million in stock value. All told, 25,434 claims were paid. “Putting money back in the hands of people is better for our state’s economy than letting it sit in a bank,” Frerichs said. “You can check our website any time, enter your name, and find out if you or someone you know has cash or property to claim.” What is unclaimed property? When items such as rebate checks, uncashed vendor checks, stocks, unpaid life insurance claims, the contents of safe deposit boxes and the like cannot be returned to their rightful owners by companies and banks, by law the money ends up at the State Treasurer’s Office, which tries to reunite people with their missing money. I-CASH is one of the state’s

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WASHINGTON—U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Heart and Stroke Caucus, celebrated Senate passage of their bipartisan resolution to designate February 2024 as American Heart Month. The resolution reaffirms the government’s commitment to fighting cardiovascular disease by supporting research; improving access to affordable, quality care to reduce long-term disability and mortality; and recognizing and championing efforts to address the long-term implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiovascular health and mortality rates. “As the leading cause of death in the U.S., heart disease has touched nearly every American family. We must put forward a concerted effort to research and treat those suffering from cardiovascular diseases,” said Durbin. “I’m encouraged that my Senate colleagues saw the value in raising awareness around the damaging impacts of cardiovascular disease

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MILSTADT, Ill. - State Representative Kevin Schmidt honored local gymnastics sensation Colleen Costello last Friday with a special sign from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). The presentation took place at St. James Catholic Grade School, where Colleen and her mother work. The sign will be proudly displayed at two entrances to Millstadt throughout the next calendar year. Colleen Costello made Millstadt proud by winning an incredible four gold medals and one silver at the Special Olympics World Games in Germany. She excelled in categories such as all-around, clubs, hoop, ribbon, and rope, showcasing her outstanding skills and dedication to the sport. After 26 years of hard work, she achieved something truly amazing. Rep Schmidt expressed his admiration for Colleen, saying, "Colleen's achievements are a source of pride for our community. Her dedication and resilience are an inspiration to us all." Colleen, who was a last-minute addition to the Special Olympics team

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COLLINSVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting to discuss an upcoming project for rehabilitating and resurfacing approximately 3.5 miles of Interstate 255 from Illinois 15 to Illinois 157 in St. Clair County. The meeting will be held on Thursday, March 7 frmo 4-7 p.m. at Wirth/PArks Middle School located at 1900 Mousette Lane, Cahokia Heights. The project, which consists of significant bridge repairs, safety improvements, new lighting, upgraded signing and drainage improvements, will restore the road and bridges to a smooth and safe condition for motorists and will support future investment in the region. The work will be completed under a full closure for approximately six months and is scheduled to begin in early 2025. Handouts and display boards will be available for public review. Representatives from IDOT and the project consultant, Chastain & Associates LLC, will be available to discuss the project and answer questions, including

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, today introduced legislation to improve emergency communication technology that could help save lives. The ITS Codification Act would codify the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS), which currently serves as the research and engineering laboratory at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and require ITS to develop emergency communication and tracking technologies to help locate trapped individuals in confined spaces where conventional radio communication is limited. “It’s critical that our first responders have access to reliable technology that can help them successfully locate and rescue individuals that find themselves trapped in confined spaces, often without any access to outside communication,” said Duckworth. “I’m proud to introduce this

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today sent a letter to U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Director Chiquita Brooks-LaSure expressing their support for Illinois’ application for a Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver. If accepted, the waiver would accelerate efforts in Illinois to use the Medicaid program to address the opioid epidemic, maternal mortality, violence prevention, mental health challenges, homelessness, hunger, and additional interrelated public health challenges. In Illinois, approximately 3.5 million individuals receive health insurance coverage through Medicaid. “The State’s 1115 application builds upon existing efforts to enhance the delivery of targeted services to the most vulnerable populations—which holds the promise of reducing health care costs and improving health care outcomes. The 1115 application also aligns with several legislative, regulatory,

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CHICAGO - Today Governor JB Pritzker announced the appointment of Mary Killough, a lifelong advocate for seniors, as the next director of the Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA), pending Senate confirmation. Killough currently serves as Vice President of Operations and Government Relations for AccentCare, a national leader in home health and hospice services. She previously served as Deputy Director of IDoA from 2011-2015. Killough, a licensed attorney, has over 30 years of experience serving Illinois’ senior population. “Our seniors deserve the highest level of dignity, respect, and care, and I am confident that Mary Killough will be an exceptional leader for the Illinois Department on Aging as we work to deliver on that promise,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Her years of experience serving seniors perfectly position her to bring Aging into its next era and advance the goal of ensuring aging Illinoisans and their caregivers have the resources they need to

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WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee—met with Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara to discuss their shared priorities in building on the over 190 years of diplomatic relations between our two nations—an alliance that both have mutually benefitted from militarily, diplomatically, economically and culturally. B-roll of the Senator’s meeting is available at this link and photos of the Senator’s meeting are available at this link. “For over 190 years, the United States and Thailand have helped one another grow and evolve militarily, diplomatically, economically and culturally,” said Duckworth. “As a proud Thai-American, it was a pleasure to welcome Deputy Prime Minister Bahiddha-Nukara to my office and discuss the ways we can build on our powerful, long-standing alliance. Time and again, it’s been

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CHICAGO – Love is in the air as we celebrate one of the most romantic holidays of the year – Valentine’s Day. While not everyone has a special someone to celebrate with, one man is swooning over his own ‘lady luck:’ a $1 million jackpot prize on an Illinois Lottery scratch-off ticket. “After I scratched the winning ticket, I completely panicked,” shared the winner, who has requested to stay anonymous. “I immediately felt my life change. I almost didn’t go to work!” The $1 million winning ticket was a MONOPOLY™ 50X scratch-off ticket from the Illinois Lottery, and was purchased at Walmart at 137 W. North Ave. in Northlake, about 20 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. “I’ve been going crazy keeping this million dollar secret,” exclaimed the lucky winner. “I don’t have a special someone to share my big news with because my girlfriend and I broke up three days before I bought

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The 2015 horror film “The Visit” gives the Hollywood treatment to sundowning. An impostor grandmother is seen running the halls, scratching the walls and vomiting, terrorizing two children in the home. A little exaggerated, says Courtney McFarlin, PA , an OSF HealthCare internal medicine provider who specializes in geriatrics. But she says sundowning is an all too real experience for some older adults. What is sundowning? McFarlin explains that sundowning is not a medical condition, but rather a way to describe behavior seen at night. It’s triggered by a disruption in your circadian rhythm. “That’s our body’s natural, 24-hour sleep/wake cycle,” McFarlin says. “It’s regulated by the hypothalamus in the brain. Based on daylight and darkness, it tells our body to be alert during the day. And it helps us settle down in the evening to want to go to sleep.” Many things can disrupt your circadian rhythm, like illness, stress,

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ALTON - The Alton community and the region are "heartbroken" today after the passing of 13-year-old Ra'niya Steward, who was shot and critically wounded in early February in a drive-by shooting on Highland Avenue. The following statement is attributable to Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine: "I am deeply saddened by the passing of Ra’niya Steward. Our community is heartbroken. The Alton Police Department has kept the State’s Attorney’s Office informed of all developments in the investigation. "As with any case, new developments can result in the State’s Attorney’s Office seeking to amend any pending charges. Our prayers are with the family and loved ones of Ra’niya at this difficult time. In addition, I reiterate my pledge that the State’s Attorney’s Office is committed to securing justice for this innocent victim. At this time, the State’s Attorney’s Office will have no additional comment on this pending case."

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GRANITE CITY – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that repairs on eastbound Interstate 270 between Illinois 3 and Riverview Drive in Missouri will require lane closures starting, weather permitting, at 9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 16. One lane will always remain open. All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 19. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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ALTON - Tori Porter has an important role as president of the Alton Branch of the NAACP Youth Council. Porter spends an enormous amount of time mentoring youth to help mold younger people into positive adults with her actions. Following the shooting of a 13-year-old girl in Alton, Porter says those who were involved in this terrible crime were very misguided. Porter said the NAACP Youth Council is recruiting new members from ages 13-24 and encourages those interested to reach out to her. They will be embarking on an abundance of positive community activities as the weather warms and spring and summer arrive. Porter plans to encourage more youth get-togethers at Alton area parks and she said there is a definite need to do something different with Alton area youth in general. “This is a terrible situation with the girl’s shooting and the other shootings,” she said. “We need to try to start preventing violence against each other, it is truthfully ridiculous.

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ALTON - Alton Branch of the NAACP President Leon Smallwood has responded to the recent tragic shooting of a 13-year-old girl in Alton that has been devastating to family, friends, and the community. The teen was shot and critically wounded on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Three people are in custody on attempted murder charges of the girl. "Dear Residents of Alton, It is with a heavy heart that I write to you today, deeply troubled by the recent spate of gun violence that has plagued our beloved community. As President of the Alton Branch NAACP, I am compelled to speak out against these senseless acts of violence that have left families shattered and our community in mourning. The recent shooting of a 13-year-old girl, fighting for her life as she lies in critical condition, serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action - we cannot idly stand by our youth when their dreams are extinguished by the barrel of a gun. This tragedy, coupled with the loss of several teenagers and youn

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GLEN CARBON - Christin Rigoni of the Edwardsville-Glen Carbon area often has inspiring Facebook posts and this week she told the positive story of a local man named Hank who treated her son, Jack, and other friends to dinner at Applebees. Christin said the story began when Jack and friends went to Applebees in Glen Carbon a couple of months ago and struck up a conversation with an older gentleman about football. “The person said that if the Chiefs ended up winning the Super Bowl, he would treat them all to dinner the night after the big game. He said to show up at 6 p.m. on the Monday after the Super Bowl at Applebees." Hank, a man of his word, was there and he showed an act of kindness and treated the boys to dinner as promised with the Chiefs win. Hank and others like him are Difference Makers in society with their kind gestures, and they exemplify the pay-it-forward principle. Christin continued and said: “The gentleman, Hank, sat and talked with them, gave them

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RIVERBEND - Are you planning to enjoy a fish fry during Lent? We have the ultimate guide of go-to spots in the Riverbend where you can observe Lent and have a great meal with your community. Godfrey Knights of Columbus Where: Knights of Columbus McNicholas Club, 1713 Stamper Lane in Godfrey Time: 4–7 p.m. Dates: Fridays, Feb. 15–March 29 Cost: $14 for adults, $7 for kids 6–12, free for kids under 6 More information: riverbender.com/events/details.cfm?seriesid=44378 Evangelical United Church of Christ Where: 1212 W. Homer M. Adams Parkway in Godfrey Time: 4–7 p.m. Dates: Fridays, Feb. 16–March 22 Cost: $13 for all-you-can-eat, $10 for a fish sandwich and side, $5 for a hot dog and side More information: riverbender.com/events/details.cfm?seriesid=44380 Edwardsville Knights of Columbus Where: 7132 Marine Road in Edwardsville Time: 4:30–7:30 p.m. Dates: Fridays, Feb. 16–March

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GLEN CARBON – Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is excited to announce that the sweetest weekend of the year is here – National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend. If you haven’t gotten your freezers stocked up yet, we have you covered. February 16-18 will be the biggest weekend for the Girl Scout Cookie Program as cookie booths will be held in areas all throughout Southern Illinois. To find a cookie booth near you (for this weekend or any other weekend through March 10) visit gsofsi.org/findcookies or text COOKIES to 59618. While picking up some cookies for yourself, you can also purchase a box or two to donate to our Gift of Caring program. All cookies purchased through Gift of Caring will be donated to H.E.R.O.E.S. Care, an organization that supports our military families. The 2024 national Girl Scout Cookie season theme, Unbox the Future , aims to remove social barriers that often keep girls boxed in. The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the world’s largest entrepreneurial

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EDWARDSVILLE – Edwardsville Mayor Art Risavy announced Tuesday, February 13, 2024, that the City has acquired two parcels of greenspace – one just south of downtown and the other adjacent to Governors’ Parkway – to be preserved as Edwardsville park properties. Community members will have an opportunity later this month to share ideas for how those properties might be used and amenities that could be considered for the two sites. The properties purchased include .34 acres of land at 211 S. Benton Street, an empty lot at the intersection with West Park Street. It is part of the Crocker Gardens neighborhood in the City’s 4th Ward, bordering Ward 3. The other property is 3.42 acres of undeveloped land at the northeast corner of Gerber Road and Governors’ Parkway. It is located in the 7th Ward, bordering Ward 6. Acquisition funding was made possible by the Edwardsville Enhancement Plan, which utilizes revenue from the quarter-percent sales tax increase

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ALTON - If you are looking to replace a bed in your home, now is the time. Alton High School Band is excited to announce they will be hosting the Annual one-day Mattress Fundraiser on Saturday, March 23rd, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. For one day only, Alton High School will be transformed into a mattress showroom. For information about the sale, go to bit.ly/beds4alton24 . There will be 25+ mattress styles on display in all sizes in styles for customers to try, priced below retail. Adjustable power bases, premium pillows, bed frames, and mattress protectors will be available as well. The brands include Simmons Beautyrest, come with full factory warranties, are made to order, and will be available 2-3 weeks after the fundraiser. Delivery is available. Best of all, the Alton HS Bands benefit from every purchase. The company, Custom Fundraising Solutions (CFS) first introduced The Mattress Fundraiser to the Cleveland, Ohio market in 2005. The company now has nearly 100 locations and works

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