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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced a Vandalia, Illinois couple pleaded guilty in Fayette County Circuit Court to possessing and disseminating child pornography. The 2021 case was a result of an investigation Raoul’s office conducted into an alleged child pornography ring operating in Fayette County and is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child pornography online. Andrew Wehrle, 39, pleaded guilty to two counts of dissemination of child pornography and one count of production of child pornography. He could face up to 26 years in prison. Amber Wehrle, 38, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of child pornography and one count of indecent solicitation of an adult. She could face up to 13 years in prison. Both individuals will be sentenced at a future date. “Child pornography is a heinous

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement after the U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination of Jeremy Daniel to serve as a District Court Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois: “We are pleased that the Senate has confirmed Jeremy Daniel to serve as a District Court Judge for the Northern District of Illinois. He was highly regarded by our screening committee and brings strong qualifications and a wealth of courtroom experience—including serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District—that will strengthen our federal bench.” In October 2021, the Senators announced that they would begin accepting applications from those interested in serving as a Federal District Court Judge in the Northern District of Illinois. The Senators were assisted by a screening committee whose

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member, and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Illinois), Senate Judiciary Committee Chair, introduced a resolution designating the week of May 14 through 20, 2023 as National Police Week. The resolution was cosponsored by 77 of their colleagues. “It is now more important than ever to honor those who choose to serve in law enforcement. The world in which we live gets more dangerous every day, and we face rising crime and difficulty recruiting the next generation of law enforcement,” said Graham.“They risk their lives every day for our safety. This resolution is a small way to show our appreciation.” “Police Week is a time when law enforcement officers across the country travel to Washington to meet with lawmakers and honor their peers who have lost their lives in the line of duty,” Durbin said. “As our country continues to discuss how to make our

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SPRINGFIELD - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today joined a coalition of 12 attorneys general in support of robust anti-discrimination protections for transgender students. Raoul and the coalition submitted a comment letter to U.S. Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona expressing support for aspects of a proposed national rule that would prohibit schools from excluding transgender students from school sports at institutions that receive federal funding. The Department of Education has proposed a rule that would clarify how schools receiving federal funding can remain in compliance with Title IX, a federal civil rights statute, when determining a transgender student’s eligibility to participate on school athletic teams. “Transgender students should be afforded the same extracurricular opportunities as their peers,” Raoul said. “I will continue to fight to ensure young people who are transgender can join and participate in the full spectrum of school

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SPRINGFIELD - Fulfilling a campaign promise, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has established the first-ever Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Officer position in the Secretary of State’s office. Dr. Margaret “Margie” Lawler, who joins the office today, will fill this important inaugural role, Giannoulias announced. Dr. Lawler brings significant experience, most recently serving as Blackburn College’s inaugural DEI Officer. She has been engaged in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts for over 12 years at institutions of higher learning, including key roles at Illinois Central College and the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. She also brings private sector experience from her years with Caterpillar, Inc. in Peoria. “I want to ensure the Secretary of State’s office implements equitable hiring strategies and promotes an inclusive culture that will improve interactions with customers and the public,” said Giannoulias. “This

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ALTON - Alton Main Street invites you to a fun event which spans seventeen pet-friendly patios and businesses on Saturday, May 20 th from Noon-8:00 p.m. Join us for the Pup Crawl, and yes you read that correctly - it’s a pub crawl with dogs! Tickets are on sale now at all participating locations, or you can get your ticket at the Alton Dog Park on the day of the event while supplies last. With your $10 ticket you will receive a bandana for your pet, a passport listing food & beverage specials and pet-friendly activities, shuttle service from Noon-8pm, all-day access to the Alton Dog Park, and a chance to win great prizes! Check in will take place at the Alton Dog Park from Noon-5:00 p.m. The Alton Dog Park can be found within Russell Commons Park, which is located under the Clark Bridge; enter via Ridge Street and follow the signs. During the event you can pick up information about how to purchase an annual pass. For a traditional pub crawl experience, grab a bite or a beverage

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ALTON - A 17-year-old Alton male has been charged with a count of Aggravated Battery With A Firearm in regard to the shooting incident that occurred at 2:59 p.m. on Tuesday in the 2600 block of Maxey Street in Alton. The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the facts of the case today and issued the following charges against the suspect: Jaylen T. Elliott, 17 years old, of Alton-Count I: Aggravated Battery with a Firearm. The arrest warrant was signed by the Honorable Judge Maher and the bond was set at $250,000. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said today that Elliott remains in custody at this time.

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OTTERVILLE - By day, Maggie Bick is a Jerseyville West Elementary School teacher, but in her free time, she loves spending time doing outdoor activities on a family farm - recently, she and her daughter Olivia had a mushroom hunt to remember. Some of the Morrell mushrooms found on that day are showcased above, held by Maggie and her daughter on their farm in Otterville. Maggie said they ended up discovering 42 total mushrooms in the one particular day of hunting. To make the day even more special, it was Olivia's first time mushroom hunting at the age of 3 years old. Maggie said her daughter could barely contain her excitement when she found the huge mushroom. "One of the mushrooms weighed 7.5 ounces. We have never found any this big," she said. "We found most of these next to an Elm tree that was dying. We found a whole hill just covered by mushrooms. Four or five years ago, we found a great batch, but nothing like this. We were really excited to prepare them and eat them." Morel

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WOOD RIVER - During a heated Public Comment portion of the last Wood River City Council meeting , residents heavily criticized three councilmen - Jeremy Plank and newly-elected David Ayres and Bill Dettmers - for their behavior and obstruction of Mayor Tom Stalcup’s appointments at the last meeting. Pastor Dave Landry, who ran for City Council last election, referred to the councilmen as “The Angry Three.” “It’s time to stand up to these bully tactics of Jeremy, Dave, and Bill, and take our city back from outsiders who never grew up in Wood River and have no interest in Wood River’s success,” Landry said. “I’m not scared of bullies. I’m not scared of your money, I’m not scared of your tactics, I’m not scared of the anger that you stir up. “‘The Angry Three’ have no clue and haven’t even asked what great things are being developed in Wood River - only their own personal agenda …

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ALTON - A vibrant and courageous little girl named Maelani has captured the hearts of the Alton community. At just five years old, Maelani's life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with stage 4 Ganglioneuroblastoma on March 8, 2023. The "Benefit for Mighty Mae" hopes to make a difference, providing Maelani with the support and resources she needs to overcome her battle with cancer and shine brighter than ever before. Mae's diagnosis sent shockwaves through her family, but amidst the darkness, a glimmer of hope emerged. Many locals are familiar with Maelani's devoted mother, Kennedy Barnett, who is known for her warm heart and infectious smile. Kennedy, who works at Sonny's Main Street in Brighton and Josephine's Tea Room in Godfrey, had to put her work on hold to be by her daughter's side during this trying time. To support the family during this challenging journey, a benefit is being organized in Maelani's honor. At noon on Saturday, June 10, 2023, the community will

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WOOD RIVER - Some members of the Wood River City Council have responded to public comments criticizing them at their meeting last Monday. The councilmen were accused of being “outsiders” stopping the city’s success and much more, but claim these and other comments were not exactly true. Pastor Dave Landry referred to councilmen Bill Dettmers, David Ayres, and Jeremy Plank as “outsiders who never grew up in Wood River and have no interest in Wood River’s success.” Councilman Jeremy Plank said that in his case, that is only partially true. “I’ve lived here since 2005 - I did not grow up here, that is true, but I’ve had a long footprint in Wood River and want to respect all opinions in the community, but certainly that does not negate my ability to make effective decisions for our voters.” Councilman Bill Dettmers said he’s also lived in Wood River since 2005, but his wife was born and raised there, he has several

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O'FALLON - Since 1978 Andria’s Steakhouse-O’Fallon, Illinois has touched many lives - from patrons dining at the establishment to employees building roots within their community. Each year members of Andria’s staff take off to spread their wings onto their next adventure after graduating high school. Not only do these graduates leave a mark on the establishment during their time working, but Andria’s has also given them the opportunity to extend their roots in the community. “Before working at Andria’s, I did not realize how many people that I personally knew would be dining at my tables. I have lived in O’Fallon for most of my life, and being at Andria’s has made me realize how connected I am with my community. Having a job here has shown me that the residents of O’Fallon are my family, and I will be leaving many of the people that have made me the person I am today,” says Jackson Glover, busser with Andria’s. “Jackson’s

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ULLIN – The Illinois State Police arrested 42-year-old Samuel L. Lewis from Cairo, IL, on charges approved by the Alexander County State’s Attorney’s Office (ACSO) for First Degree Murder (Class X Felony). On May 9, 2023, at approximately 11:58 p.m., the Illinois State Police (ISP), Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 7 was requested by the Cairo Police Department to investigate a shooting which occurred on the 2400 block of Sycamore Street in Cairo, IL. Lafayette D. Woods, a 34-year-old male from Cairo, IL, was pronounced deceased as a result of the shooting. On May 16, 2023, following a thorough investigation, Samuel Lewis was arrested on First Degree Murder charges by ISP DCI Zone 7, with the assistance of the Alexander County Sheriff’s Department, and the Cairo Police Department. Lewis is currently in custody at the Tri-County Detention Center in Pulaski County on a $2,000,000 bond warrant. If you have any information on the events that

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GRAFTON - Aerie's Resort is proud to announce that they are now offering online bookings for all of their attractions. This exciting news means that families looking for summer fun can easily plan their visit to the Midwest's best resort with just a few clicks of a button. Aerie’s opened Illinois’ first Zipline Canopy Tour in 2012, and the Grafton SkyTour aerial lift has been wowing visitors with incredible views since 2019. In the fall of 2022, we opened the first Alpine Coaster in the state, and more exciting attractions are on the way. Now, with the convenience of online booking, guests can reserve their spot at any of these amazing attractions with ease via smartphone, laptop, or any internet-connected device. The online booking process is simple and user-friendly. Customers can easily navigate the Aerie's Resort website and select their desired attraction, date, and time. Once their booking is confirmed, they can sit back and relax, knowing that their adventure at

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CHICAGO – Ameren Illinois’ proposed four-year electric rate hike should be slashed by at least $492 million, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) announced Monday, citing expert testimony it filed. "While a utility has to maintain its system, Ameren should not get a blank check,” CUB Executive Director David Kolata said. "Our expert witnesses combed through Ameren’s rate-hike proposal and cut out the fat, including an excessive profit rate for shareholders. We are hoping other parties will be able to recommend further reductions.” Ameren customers can visit CUBHelpCenter.com to sign a petition to the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) against the proposed increase. On January 20, Ameren Illinois filed for a four-year, $1.3 billion rate hike with the ICC. For a customer who uses about 10,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually (or about 833 kWh a month), the hike would increase Ameren delivery rates by an average of roughly $6.27 a month eac

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College held its inaugural State of Trailblazer Nation event Monday, May 15, closing the 2022-2023 academic year on a high note. Sessions were held at 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. – the former being an internal event for L&C team members, and the latter for the general community. Both comprised comments from President Ken Trzaska, and leaders from mover teams representing the four key directions (KD) of the college’s strategic plan. "The college first started this journey in early Spring 2021 with an internal survey to team members about what efforts we should start, stop and continue as an institution,” he said. “The outcomes of that initial feedback eventually became these four key directions.” KD1: Expect Enrollment and Retention Improvements KD2: Invest in Program and Curriculum Development KD3: Build a Transparent and Inclusive Campus Culture KD4: Broaden Community and Educational Collaboration

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt is pushing for tax credits for electric vehicle manufacturers as part of the General Assembly’s final revenue package. This will incentivize electric vehicle manufacturing and renewable energy investments in Illinois and will pave the way for significant economic growth and a cleaner, more sustainable future for the state. “Tax credits for electric vehicle and renewable energy manufacturers will result in economic prosperity in our state,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “In addition, this will send a clear message that Illinois is open for a favorable business environment and committed to sustainable innovation.” Senate Bill 2576 would establish tax credits, known as Renewable Energy Vehicle credits, for qualifying electric vehicle and renewable energy manufactures that make substantial investments in capital improvements and maintain a strong workforce. To qualify, businesses must invest a minimum of $500 million

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PONTOON BEACH - As weather heats up and schools begin releasing for the summer, Madison County Transit (MCT) is pleased to once again offer Madison County students ages 18 and under free rides on all MCT public buses with the 2023 MCT Summer Youth Pass. The MCT Summer Youth Pass is valid from Memorial Day to Labor Day and allows students in kindergarten through 12 th grade the opportunity to ride MCT for free all summer long. “For 15 years, the MCT Summer Youth Pass has provided Madison County students with a free and safe way to access summer jobs, classes, community resources, shopping areas, pools, parks, and more.” said MCT Managing Director SJ Morrison. “I want to thank the MCT Board of Trustees for their continued support of this program for our young people.” MCT’s Summer Youth Pass program was created in 2008 to provide affordable transportation access for Madison County youth and their families, and accounts for more than 550,000 boardings o

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CHAMPAIGN – Busey Bank is committed to building strong communities. Each year, we offer financial support toward continuing education endeavors to applicants of all ages and educational backgrounds through the Busey Bank Bridge Scholarship. “We are proud to support the educational aspirations of students across our footprint through the Busey Bank Bridge Scholarship,” said Sandy DeMond, Senior Vice President – Director of Community Banking. “We recognize the financial challenges that come with continuing education and hope to ease that burden for students and their families. By investing in their education, we’re not only helping the students themselves, but also our communities as a whole.” Through the Busey Bank Bridge Scholarship Fund, $25,000 in the aggregate will be awarded annually. Funds will be disbursed through 10 individual scholarships of $2,500 throughout the Busey Bank service areas. Applicants must reside in one of the

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GRAFTON - Jersey County Circuit Clerk Daniel Schetter presented Grafton Police Chief Eric Spanton and Mayor Morrow with a check in the amount of $5,000 at the City Council meeting on May 16. Schetter’s goal was to help the smaller cities in Jersey County to bolster government services, and Grafton is one of the beneficiaries. The gift was made possible through his office from traffic ticket revenue in the county. “We need to work together to help each other and to make our communities safer for everyone,” Schetter said. Chief Spanton said, “This money will be used to purchase new handheld radios with improved reception, which will enhance officer safety and allow quicker response time.” The county provided funds last year to transition Grafton police cruisers from analog to digital radios. “We are very grateful for the continued support from the county,” said Mayor Morrow. Grafton City Council meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each

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