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SPRINGFIELD— Following the House passage of the FY24 budget agreement, Governor JB Pritzker released the following statement: “My thanks to Speaker Welch, Leader Jehan Gordon-Booth, and all the members of the House who voted today to advance our fifth balanced budget. This budget reaffirms our shared commitment to fiscal responsibility while making transformative investments in the children and families of Illinois that will be felt for years to come. I look forward to signing this budget making childcare and education more accessible, healthcare more affordable, and our state’s business and economic position even stronger.” Fiscal Year 2024 Budget The FY 24 budget is a balanced plan with conservative revenue estimates that builds on our fiscal progress while making transformative investments in early childhood and higher education, workforce development, and efforts to fight violence and poverty Highlights Fiscal Responsibility – 5 th balance

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ALTON - The Annual James Killion Day at Killion Park at Salu turned out to be everything that was planned and much more to honor the Alton community activist. Alton Mayor David Goins said it was a great honor and privilege to recognize the birth, life, and legacy of the late James H. Killion Jr. “Killion’s family attended and were humbled by the festivities,” he said. “The weather was perfect and the event was well attended. I would like to thank the committee and the volunteers for organizing a wonderful ceremony. Alton Fourth Ward Alderwoman Rosetta Brown was the emcee. First Lady Sheila Goins also played a big part in the celebration and she said: “Gene Baldwin’s keynote address was superb. “It seemed all were captivated by his address and the speeches of the others,” she added. “It was a lovely day and honor to pay tribute and honor the Killion family.” There was a presentation of colors and music, plus acknowledgment

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ALTON - The Alton Memorial Day Parade is always one of the highlights of the year in Alton and each year has the East End Improvement Association as the lead sponsor. The 156th consecutive version of the parade was again “a great day to thank the veterans for their service,” Steve Schwartz, of East End Improvement Association and a spokesperson for the Memorial Day Parade, said. The parade starts at Alton Middle School and flows through Upper Alton. This year, as usual, there were hundreds of observers and significant community participation. The first Alton Memorial Day Parade was held in 1868, just three years after the end of the Civil War. More than 55 participants took part in the 2023 event. “We had about 55-plus organizations that participated and this ranged from voter groups, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, clubs, a few commercial businesses, and overall was a well-rounded and good parade," Schwartz said. “The Marching 100, the Alton Middle School

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) issued a statement following the passage of the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY 24) state budget scheduled to take effect July 1, 2023: “I’m disappointed the state budget approved by the Illinois General Assembly continues to spend more without a plan to ease the burden on our taxpayers. As the cost of living continues to remain high, the state budget, unfortunately, does not respect the pocketbooks of hard-working Illinoisans. As Deputy Budgeteer for the House Republican Caucus, my Republican colleagues and I offered to work on a bipartisan balanced budget, a budget that could have included our shared priorities. But instead, the Democrats gave themselves another pay raise and made promises they can’t fulfill, setting up for a potential tax hike in the future.”

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WOOD RIVER – Consultant Good Energy has informed the City Of Wood River that Ameren Illinois has established its new residential electric rate for customers in the Wood River area and these rates should be released by June 1. Although the rate filings are not yet official, the preliminary rates for Ameren BGS-1 Residential, which would be from June 2023 – May 2024, are estimated to be $0.08450-$0.08650. However, residents need to also know the newly filed rate can return to an upward swing anytime during that period. The City feels it's extremely important and the message is clear, we work hard to help the residents save money on their electric bills and do so in the safest way possible. The residents of Wood River have experienced huge savings while participating in the aggregation program. The City of Wood River goal was to give residents an alternative to Ameren's utility rates. The previous program period which ended in December 2022 secured fixed base rates of $0.0429

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CARLINVILLE - Every spring, Blackburn's International Business course offers students the opportunity to participate in a global business competition called X-Culture. Students from around the world from international teams meet initially online and, finally, in person to finalize their work on solving a real business problem for real companies. In 2022, more than 11,000 students representing 120 countries across more than 300 colleges and universities graduated from the program. This year, Sophia King, a rising senior marketing major of Godfrey was among five Blackburn students invited to attend the annual X-Culture Global Business Symposium, which brings participants together and chooses from the best of the best. Dr. Christina Langwell McCurley, professor of business and coordinator of the program for Blackburn, believes this competition is critical to helping students understand international business strategy comprehensively. "The project challenges students academically,

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GRAFTON - Whalen-Hill American Legion Post #648 hosted Grafton’s Third Annual Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony at noon on Monday, May 29, 2023, at the Post’s WWI Monument overlooking the cemetery and it was once again a captivating experience with Mike Morrow, a retired Army Colonel, as the keynote speaker. Post Commander John Hughes introduced CW4 (Ret.) Terry Day who emceed the ceremony. Father Marty Smith, a former member of the 82 nd Airborne Division and an Iraqi Freedom Veteran gave the invocation. This was Mayor Morrow's Memorial Day Speech: “On Memorial Day we remember those who lost their lives in the service of our nation. It is a day set aside to honor those military men and women who paid for our freedom with their lives. The Honor Guard of this post, the Whalen-Hill American Legion Post #648 assembled early this morning, put on their uniforms, gathered their gear, and traveled to each of the local cemeteries in our region. At each stop

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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (May 25, 2023) - Earning a spot on Drury University's Dean's List is a significant accomplishment. The recognition means a student earned a grade point average of 3.6 or greater (on a 4-point scale) while carrying a full-time course load of 12 or more semester hours at Drury, a top Midwestern university, according to US News & World Report. In the spring semester, the following student(s) made the day school Dean's list: HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME, HIGH SCHOOL (if listed) East Alton, IL Hannah Ritter, Metro East Lutheran High Edwardsville, IL Connor Bain, Triad High School Tyler Frolik, Edwardsville Senior Hs Robyn Herndon, Edwardsville Senior Hs Godfrey, IL Wes Laaker, Alton High School

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EDWARDSVILLE - John Hanson, associate at HeplerBroom LLC, in Edwardsville, was installed as president of the Madison County Bar Association (MCBA) on May 25, 2023. Mr. Hanson is the 89th president of the MCBA. The MCBA board members that took office at the annual meeting include: Chad Richter, first vice president, shareholder at Mathis, Marifian and Richter, Ltd.; Micah Summers, second vice president, attorney at Walton Telken, LLC; Leigh Perica, treasurer, attorney at McCune Law Group; Meghan Kane, recording secretary, member at Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice LLC; Dillon Borri, corresponding secretary, associate at Heyl Royster; and Rebecca Buettner, immediate past-president, assistant state’s attorney at Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office. The MCBA is an organization founded in 1926, whose purpose is to cultivate the science of jurisprudence, promote reform in the law, facilitate the administration of justice, and improve public perception of the legal profession

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SPRINGFIELD – As summer traveling season approaches, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and more than 200 local law enforcement agencies today announced the "Click It or Ticket" campaign to crack down on seat belt law violators and impaired drivers. “Throughout Illinois, Memorial Day means the start of summer road trips and an increase in traffic,” said IDOT Director of Highways Project Implementation Steve Travia. “With additional vehicles on the roads, it’s more important than ever to take standard safety precautions. Make seat belt use an automatic habit. It’s not just the safe thing to do – it’s the law.” During the Memorial Day campaign, which runs through May 30, law enforcement will step up traffic safety efforts, reminding drivers and their passengers of the importance of buckling up and the potential consequences of not wearing a seat belt. The increase in traffic that accompanies summer

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SPRINGFIELD – The Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service (Serve Illinois) is accepting applications for the Governor’s Hometown Awards (GHTA) program. GHTA gives formal recognition to those who contributed to projects that improved their community’s quality of life. Nominated projects must be sponsored by units of local government, include strong volunteer support, and made a positive impact in the community. “Since its inception in 1983, the Governor’s Hometown Awards have celebrated the local heroes in our communities who have made a difference through selfless service—from Decatur’s youth-led ‘Young Leaders in Action’ to Macon County’s volunteer-run community food drive,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Here in Illinois, we are home to the kindest, most generous people. And with applications for this year’s Governor’s Hometown Awards opened once again, I couldn’t be more

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O'FALLON - ISP Zone 6 Division of Criminal Investigations (DCI) announced Sunday night that an officer-involved shooting occurred and authorities were called at 1:34 p.m. on May 28, 2023, to the intersection of U.S. Highway 50 and Old Collinsville Road, O'Fallon, in St. Clair County. The Preliminary indicated the following: "ISP DCI agents responded to the above location for an officer-involved shooting," ISP said. "O'Fallon Police Department and Fairview Heights Police Department attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle wanted in connection with a felony offense out of St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, armed and dangerous. The driver exited the vehicle, armed with a firearm, and fled on foot. The driver fired at the officers and the officers returned fire. The driver continued running approximately 100 yards where he was found with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The driver was airlifted to a regional hospital and pronounced deceased. No officer

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ALTON - Chad Sibley and Angie Able with Alton VFW Post 1308 discussed their work with the post and their perspectives on Memorial Day and the meaning behind it on a recent episode of Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com . Sibley, who works with the post’s Auxiliary and Rituals Team, said they actually start Memorial Day with a ceremony at Killion Park on the Saturday before Memorial Day. He added they hosted the opening ceremony there last year and will return to host it again this year. On Sunday, Sibley said the Rituals Team goes to Fosterburg Cemetery to do a ceremony and seven-gun salute, which he described as one of the team’s longest-running events. Then on Memorial Day, they get started early by putting up flags at the post starting at 6:30 a.m., visiting four cemeteries around the city for more ceremonies, then departing for the Memorial Day parade at 10 a.m. He said it’s “an honor” to still be here to remember his fallen brothers and

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GODFREY/BETHALTO - The Dugout is a CBD, Delta 8, vape and smoke shop with locations in Godfrey and Bethalto. Owner and Founder Kelsey Clark said The Dugout offers a wide range of products and has “something for everyone.” Kelsey started the business after her husband, Bradley, was badly injured at his job and tried CBD products to treat his pain. Seeing how they helped him inspired her to share those and other products with the rest of the community. “Instead of using pain medicines or anything, he used CBD products and so we started getting into that, and kind of just wanted to do the same thing to help other people,” she said. Bradley added that The Dugout stands out from some of the other CBD, Delta 8, and vape shops around the area with their knowledgeable staff and partnership with a hemp farm. “Most of the smoke shops in the area, they’re mainly just smoke shops … we carry a large variety of CBD products, not just smoke shop

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ALTON - Wayne Able, Desert Storm veteran and Post Commander of the Alton VFW Post 1308, appeared on a recent episode of Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com to reflect on his years of service as his term comes to a close and Memorial Day 2023 approaches. Able said his career as Post Commander has been “rewarding.” “It’s been rewarding. got to meet a lot of new people,” Able said. “I got to go out and meet with other VFW posts, and it’s surprising how many posts are willing to meet and greet and work with you.” Able added that he’s seen more collaboration over the years between local VFW posts working together to host Veteran’s Day and other events. While he’s proud of the work he’s down at Post 1308, he said it’s important for the post’s survival to pass the reins on to someone who can continue its success. “It was time for me to step down and let new, fresh minds be put in and new

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BETHALTO - The Bethalto Police today released information about an investigation into an incident, which may have involved a subject who was impersonating a police officer. The department took a delayed report of the incident that reportedly occurred on Interstate 255, just north of Illinois Route 140 at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 25, 2023. The Bethalto Police said the complainant reported being stopped by an unmarked white sport utility vehicle (SUV), that had emergency lights inside of the vehicle, near its visors. Once stopped the driver approached the complainant, telling her that she was speeding. The subject purportedly told the driver that he was “a cop” without being asked, and asked the driver if she believed that he was a cop. The subject wore a black collared shirt with a yellow circle or emblem on it, but he was not wearing a vest, duty belt, gun, or departmental logos/patches on his shirt. The subject released the driver with a warning for th

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SPRINGFIELD - Local advocate for common sense and political transparency. IL legislators are hard at work creating a sexless society. Using sex-neutral terminology, they are creating and changing legislation to remove any distinction between males and females. Moreover, they are trampling on advancements in our society for women’s rights and lawful protections, while endangering some of the most vulnerable members of our society. Recently, IL legislator Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy (D-14) sponsored HB 2350: INS-PAP TESTS/PROSTATE SCREEN. The legislation says that insurance will pay for “individuals” to get prostate exams and pap smears. Any reference to “men” or “women” is now replaced with “individual.” There are obvious medical consequences for taking sex specific terminology out of medicine. Medical staff would need to know one’s sex to accurately diagnose and treat patients with sex specific diseases and conditions (such as testicular

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SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is encouraging families to open an Illinois 529 college savings plan or make an additional contribution in honor of the upcoming date of May 29, known as 529 Day and National College Savings Day. Frerichs’ office also is working with Illinois museums to create special opportunities for families to learn more about college savings plans and to visit the museums at a discounted price. “Opening a college savings account and making contributions are great ways to send positive messages to young people. If a child knows he or she has a college savings plan, that child is three times more likely to attend college,” Frerichs said. “529 Day is a fun designation that reminds children and families about the crucial role that a 529 account can play in children’s future success.” During the next several weeks, the State Treasurer’s Office is teaming up with select Illinois children’s

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GLEN CARBON – Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois celebrated outstanding volunteers and Girl Scouts who earned awards for their achievements at our second annual Recognition of Excellence ceremony. These standouts exemplify our mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. The ceremony was held on Sunday, May 21 at the DoubleTree Inn in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Girl Scouts, volunteers, and their families from the 40-county jurisdiction gathered together to celebrate this year’s award recipients. “Our volunteers are an integral part of this organization, and I want to commend each and every volunteer for all that they do for Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois,” said Loretta Graham, CEO of Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois. When reflecting on the girl members who received their Girl Scout Silver and Girl Scout Gold awards this part year, Graham added “Our Girl Scouts continue to show up in big ways. These girls

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O’FALLON, BREESE, HIGHLAND & GREENVILLE, IL — According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage skin in as little as 15 minutes. With Memorial Day marking the “unofficial” start of summer and May being Skin Cancer Awareness Month, HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, HSHS Holy Family Hospital in Greenville, and HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospitals in Breese and Highland are encouraging sun safety awareness and reminding everyone to protect their skin while enjoying the outdoors. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), approximately 9,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer every day. The good news is that skin cancer is also one of the most preventable cancers. Following guidance from the AAD and the CDC, HSHS St. Elizabeth’s, HSHS Holy Family, and HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospitals

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