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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County to consider lowering its food truck permit fees. The Health Department Committee discussed amending the county’s food sanitation ordinance on Friday. The committee voted 4-1 to reduce the fee from $375 to $175. Director of Public Health Toni Corona said that currently there are 18 licensed mobile establishments in the county. She said that the health department charges fees for food permit licenses based on the categories of each food establishments, which is 1 through 3. Mobile food trucks are considered Category 1 and Category 2 establishments and inspected the same as a “brick and mortar” restaurant and eateries. Category 1 and 1a facilities receive three inspections per year, or two inspections per year if one of the following conditions is met: A certified food service manager is present at all times the facility is in operation; or Employees involved in food operations receive HACCP training exercise, in-service training

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EDWARDSVILLE – Earlier this week, the Madison County Auditor’s Office officially filed the county’s fiscal year ending November 30th, 2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report with the Illinois Comptroller’s Office and the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). This is Madison County’s official audited annual financial report. “State law requires that all general-purpose local governments publish within six months of the close of each fiscal year a complete set of financial statements presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards by a firm of licensed certified public accountants,” Michael said. “I am very pleased to report to the taxpayers of Madison County that the county received a clean (unmodified) opinion from our external auditor, Scheffel Boyle.” The goal of the independent audit is to provide reasonable assurance that

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MADISON — Governor JB Pritzker today announced that the sold-out NASCAR Cup Series race, Enjoy Illinois 300 – which is sponsored by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Illinois Office of Tourism – is expected to attract more than 83,000 fans and produce at least $60 million in economic impact for the region. The event is the track’s first-ever sell-out and is World Wide Technology Raceway’s (WWTR) largest single-day crowd to date. In advance of WWTR’s inaugural Cup Series, Governor Pritzker also proclaimed June 5, 2022 “Richard Petty Day.” The proclamation honors Petty, the most decorated NASCAR driver of all time. “NASCAR Cup Races are some of the biggest and best sporting events in the world – and as Sunday’s first-ever sold-out race indicates, nobody does it better than Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The Enjoy Illinois 300 is a unique experience that will bring millions

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CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-2) have introduced a Congressional resolution establishing June 3, 2022, as “National Gun Violence Awareness Day” and designating June as “National Gun Violence Awareness Month.” Today, communities across the country will participate in a Gun Violence Prevention Day of Action. Every day, 321 people are shot in the United States according to Brady United. This resolution asks citizens and community leaders to give heightened attention to gun violence during the month of June, as gun violence typically spikes at the start of the summer months, and to work together to make our communities safer long-term. Kelly and Durbin have introduced the resolution each year since 2016. This resolution, in part, also honors the life of Hadiya Pendleton. Just days after performing at President Obama’

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CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker today signed two pieces of legislation that allow for the expanded use of expressway cameras, empowering law enforcement agencies to investigate criminal activities along expressways and State highways. “There is nothing more important than keeping Illinoisans safe—in our schools, in our parks, and on our expressways,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The tragic incidences of gun violence on our highways requires aggressive and intentional action. By signing this bill, law enforcement agencies will have the tools to respond to criminal activity in a timely and efficient manner—ensuring the safety and security of our residents, while holding perpetrators accountable.” “Automated license plate readers play a growing, critical role in ISP investigations and arrests in the Chicagoland area,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “ISP now routinely uses this technology to track down expressway shootings

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TROY - Are you ready to start the kids’ summer off right? Let’s fill them with a world of pure imagination! Goshen Theatre Project will be performing Willy Wonka, Jr., the captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl’s fantastical tale. The musical will feature the well-known catchy tunes from the 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Performances will take place at Triad High School (Troy, IL) kicking off on June 9 and 10 at 7:00 p.m., with a matinee on June 11 at 3:00 p.m. These family-friendly shows are estimated to be 90 minutes, which includes a 15 minute intermission. Tickets can be purchased immediately at https://gtp.booktix.com/ . Use code PURPLE on Sunday, June 5 th and earn 15% off of your ticket price! Before the show, audience members are encouraged to visit our creative concession stand which will include anything from chocolate squirrels, inflatable gummy bears, candy kebabs, a popcorn bar, and even Wonka bars (will you get the Golden Ticket?)!

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(THE CONVERSATION) - Individual states and some cities are taking legal steps to either limit or allow abortions, gearing up for what will likely be a fierce national battle if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the constitutional right to abortion. The Supreme Court is set to soon release a final verdict on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization , one month after a leaked Supreme Court draft majority opinion showed it could reverse Roe v. Wade. But a ruling – likely to come sometime in June or July 2022 – will be only one important step in the ongoing national abortion saga. While 13 states, including Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, have “trigger laws” that would almost immediately restrict abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned, the legal future for abortion in 10 states is uncertain . As a professor of health law, public health law and medical ethics, I think it is important to understand that it may take time to see the full effects o

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ALTON - Back by popular demand, the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau is celebrating all things epic with a local focus on the epic foodie experience throughout southwest Illinois during the month of June. Kicking off the month-long event is Epic Pizza Week which runs from June 6 – 10. Enjoy epic pizza specials at the participating restaurants located throughout southwest Illinois. Epic Pizza Week is followed by Epic Wing Week June 13 – 17, Epic Burger Week June 20 – 24 and closes up with Epic Ice Cream Week June 27 – July 1. “We started highlighting our epic foods last year and it was an amazing success,” said Cory Jobe, President/CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau. “We had dozens of locally owned and operated restaurants participate serving up thousands of burgers, pizzas and ice cream treats to residents and visitors alike. Now we want to take our epic foods to the next level and the participation has grown. We have more

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(The Center Square) – With the highest inflation rates in 40 years, most Illinoisans' wages are not keeping up. According to the Illinois Policy Institute, the average worker in Illinois needed a pay raise of $5,360 to match the price increases on goods and services this past year, but the average worker received a raise of $3,164. Essentially, the average Illinoisan took a pay cut of $2,200. “We do know that wage growth is slower in Illinois than in other states,” said Bryce Hill, senior research analyst for the Illinois Policy Institute. “It is very likely that inflation is taking a larger chunk out of Illinoisans' income than it is in other states.” Most of the U.S. has been seeing just “slight or modest” economic growth over the past two months, according to a Federal Reserve report released Wednesday. In addition to broader views on the economy, the report said most districts showed price increases rising at a “strong or

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ALTON - The June Memorial Service/Scholarship Awards Program of the Elijah P. Lovejoy Memorial will be held on Sunday, June 12, 2022 at the Lovejoy Gravesite in Alton City Cemetery. The gravesite is located behind the Lovejoy Monument. The program begins at 4:00 p.m. Bonnie Fox, President of the Lovejoy Memorial will preside and offer the welcome. Minister Elam A. King, III, Associate Minister, Greater St. James Baptist Church will offer the Invocation and Benediction. Vocal soloist is Brenda Mack-Lancaster. The scholarship awards will be presented by Lovejoy Board members Renee Bauer, Mary Buckley and Dr. Brian Saenz. The highlight of the program will be the presentation of scholarships to six (6) 2022 graduates of Alton High School. The Elijah P. Lovejoy Memorial Scholarship was first awarded in 1954. This year it will be presented to Kamren Mason-El. She will receive $25,000 total during the four (4) years of her college education. In 2019 the Lovejoy Memorial established the

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– U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and all 47 other Senate Democrats in introducing a Senate resolution recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride Month. The Senators’ resolution highlights the contributions LGBTQ individuals have made to American society, notes several major milestones in the fight for equal treatment of LGBTQ Americans and resolves to continue efforts to achieve full equality for LGBTQ individuals. The resolution also recognizes how the U.S. Supreme Court’s pending decision to overturn Roe v. Wade could potentially undermine and erode other constitutional rights also grounded in privacy, including the right for same-sex couples to marry or engage in consensual relationships without the risk of criminal prosecution “No one should face discrimination because of who they are or who they love—we all deserve to live and thrive as our most authentic selves,”

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CHICAGO – In an effort to further the state’s commitment to addressing the ongoing opioid crisis, Governor JB Pritzker signed several pieces of legislation designed to prevent overdoses and provide easily accessible treatments. “Deaths from opioid overdoses are as tragic as they are preventable,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “By deploying harm reduction strategies and expanding drug-court treatment programs rooted in rehabilitation, we can save countless lives. Drug dependency is not a choice—it’s a disorder and should be treated as such. These bills mandate the tools, resources, and compassion necessary to help Illinoisans with substance use disorders while addressing the opioid crisis head on.” “Fentanyl overdoses are killing far too many Illinoisans, as this synthetic, cheap, and deadly opioid is cut into everything from other drugs to diet pills,” said State Representative Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago). With the enactment o

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - After a 30-month delay due to COVID restrictions, Land of Lincoln Honor Flight (LLHF) is announcing the first 2022 flight on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. Ninety-two (92) Veterans will be on board this LLHF Mission #60 from Abraham Lincoln Capitol Airport to Washington, DC - 1 World War II, 26 Korean War and 65 Vietnam War Era Veterans - all ready to experience their national memorials with their comrades. These veterans represent all branches of military service: 18 Air Force, 41 Army, 11 Marine and 22 Navy veterans. Ninety-two (92) Veterans and eighty-six (86) Guardians will arrive at the airport Tuesday morning at 4:15 AM, having traveled from the 62 central and southern Illinois cities and communities of Altamont, Annapolis, Arcola, Arthur, Atwood, Belleville, Camargo, Champaign, Charleston, Clinton, Coffeen, Dalton City, Danville, Decatur, Dietrich, Downs, Effingham, Filmore, Forsyth, Havana, Hettic, Highland, Hillsboro, Jacksonville, Kincaid, Lake City, Lincoln,

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today applauded the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to discharge $5.8 billion in federal student loans held by former students of Corinthian Colleges Inc., which operated in Illinois as Everest College. As part of the relief for borrowers, the federal government will discharge more than $220 million in loans for over 26,000 defrauded Illinois borrowers, regardless of whether they submitted an individual application for relief to the Department of Education. Impacted borrowers will not need to do anything to receive relief. “For years, Corinthian intentionally deceived Illinois students with false claims about future job prospects, leaving students unqualified for their career fields and with mountains of debt,” Raoul said. “This long-awaited relief will enable thousands of former Corinthian students to move on with their lives after being intentionally mislead and defrauded." Under the Department of Education’s

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SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Department of Education announced the widespread discharge of all remaining federal student loans for those who attended any campus owned or run by the predatory Corinthian Colleges: “The day after Corinthian collapsed in April 2015, I stood in front of a Corinthian school in Chicago with then-Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to call on the Department of Education to issue widespread relief to the students who had been scammed out of meaningful education and left with debt. I reminded the Department that these students should not be left holding the bag. “Today, nearly eight years later, the Department took action on behalf of more than 26,000 Illinois students, offering $226 million in forgiveness. After being wrongfully exploited by Corinthian, these students are finally seeing the long over-due relief they deserve.” The Department of Education’s

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CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker signed HB4165 into law today, marking the creation of the Lake Michigan Rescue Equipment Act. The act, introduced by Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy (D-Chicago), is a crucial step towards addressing recent drownings in Lake Michigan and preventing future accidents by requiring public rescue equipment on all piers or drop-off points on the lake. The act also lays out new guidelines for reporting drowning events and establishing water safety guidelines. “The stories of recent drownings on Lake Michigan are both tragic and preventable,” said Governor Pritzker. “This law will protect countless families from experiencing those same terrible losses and ensure a safer Lake Michigan for the thousands of Illinoisans who enjoy it every year.” The act requires both private and government-owned piers and drop-off points to be outfitted with public rescue equipment such as flotation devices. Beyond requiring easily accessible flotation devices,

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EAST ST. LOUIS - Illinois State Police released information Friday morning that they were requested Thursday by East St. Louis Police and the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office after a man barricaded himself armed at a location in the 3000 block of Piggott Avenue in East St. Louis in St. Clair County. The ISP SWAT, ISP DCI Zone 6 Investigations, and Public Safety Group were called to the scene at 7:49 p.m. Thursday after St. Clair County Sheriff's Office and East St. Louis Police were called for a report of shots fired. The suspect apparently drove away from the initial scene at Trendley Avenue, then barricaded himself inside his home in the 3000 block of Piggott Avenue in East St. Louis with two other individuals. The man initially did not cooperate with the police, but eventually early this morning the situation was resolved. ISP said this is an open and ongoing investigation. No further information is available at this time.

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COLLINSVILLE – Following the receipt of a grant for 12 CPR training mannequins with feedback devices from Illinois Heart Rescue, Collinsville firefighters took the opportunity to go into local schools to teach CPR. Firefighter Nick Klucker secured the grant and is leading this effort. The focus of this grant is to provide Bystander CPR (BCRP). BCRP includes recognizing a problem (the victim does not respond to their name or if touched and is not breathing or not breathing normally), to call 911, send for an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) and to push hard and fast in the center of the chest until help arrives, then turn on the AED and follow the prompts. BCPR can double or triple the survival for victims suffering cardiac arrest. For every minute that a victim of sudden cardiac arrest does not receive CPR their chance of death increases by 10 percent. That means if no BCRP is performed within 10 minutes, the victim has a 0 percent chance of survival. The sooner BCRP is

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ST. LOUIS — The United States Attorney Eastern District of Missouri Office released today said Lewis Reed, Jeffrey Boyd, and John Collins-Muhammad are all facing two bribery-related charges each. Collins-Muhammad is also facing a charge of honest services bribery/wire fraud, and Boyd is facing a separate, two-count wire fraud indictment related to an automobile insurance scheme. Federal prosecutors' announcement revealed explosive allegations of bribery, theft, and corruption in St. Louis City Hall in a 66-page indictment released Thursday morning. Charging documents allege St. Louis Board of Alderman President Lewis Reed, Housing and Urban Development Zoning Committee Chairman Jeffrey Boyd and former Alderman John Collins-Muhammad accepted cash payments and other gifts in exchange for proposed tax breaks and development project approvals in the city's north side. If convicted of the main indictment, Reed’s and Boyd’s charges carry respective maximum penalties of

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ST. LOUIS - On Thursday, June 2, 2022, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued warrants on suspect Grant Gaumer, 37 years of age, of the 700 block of Bismark Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri 63122, for two counts of Statutory Sodomy in the Second Degree and one count of Sexual Contact with a Student. Gaumer is being held on $500,000, no 10%, cash bond. Please note, charges are merely an accusation and Defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. The probable cause statement reads that an alleged sexual act occurred between the defendant and the victim March 1, 2022, and March 31, 2022. The victim was less than 17 years of age and the defendant was a teacher at Lindbergh High School. Gaumer has been a teacher at Lindbergh High School for 8 years and in addition to teaching, he was the assistant water polo coach and the teacher liaison for the Gay Straight Alliance group at the school. Anyone with information about this case

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