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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias signed an Executive Order today to expand the office’s parental leave policy – from four weeks to twelve weeks – which takes place immediately. Since taking office in January, Giannoulias has worked closely with staff and various unions representing Secretary of State employees to strengthen the office’s paid parental leave. Under the new policy, employees will also have more flexibility with the ability to use their time off intermittently in five-day increments for one year after the child becomes part of their family. It applies to those employees growing their family by birth or adoption. “No working parent should have to choose between paying their bills and the time necessary to bond with their new child and family,” said Giannoulias, the father of three young daughters. “Allowing just four weeks of time off following the birth of a child is not only woefully insufficient, but

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CHICAGO – As it gears up to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, the Illinois Lottery is celebrating the highest net income generated in its history, fueled by a historic number of jackpots surpassing $1 billion in Mega Millions and Powerball. The Lottery today announced record net income of $882 million for fiscal year 2023 ending June 30, 2023, which is a 5.7% increase over last year and eclipses every prior year. Mega Millions and Powerball revenue grew by approximately 53%, or $70 million, over the prior year. This growth represents 8% of the net income for the year. “When Illinoisans buy a lottery ticket, they aren’t just taking a chance at winning millions — they are directly contributing to our state’s education system,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “I couldn’t be happier to join the Illinois Lottery team in celebrating a record-breaking year with $882 million in net income. From supporting our K-12 students to providing

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ROSEWOOD HEIGHTS - The Rosewood Heights Fire Department received a makeover from local Lowe’s employees who stopped by to renovate the space and give back to the fire department’s volunteers. The Lowe’s Hometowns program encourages each store to complete a project that will improve their hometowns. Twelve volunteers from the Alton and Glen Carbon stores gathered at the fire department on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, to remodel the department’s recreation and dispatch areas. “We don’t have the time to do a lot of this type of work, or the funds,” said Corey Williams, Rosewood Heights fire chief. “Our members are putting in so much time training and responding to calls that having a corporation like Lowe's come out and not only pay for it all but also volunteer their time and their employees to help do some of the work — it’s amazing. Small departments like us, it’s stuff like this that keeps us going.” The Lowe’s

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EDWARDSVILLE – State Senator Erica Harriss (56 th -Glen Carbon) welcomed nearly 50 high school students from a dozen different schools for her Youth Advisory Council (YAC) Tuesday at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. “This event is always a great way to offer a glimpse of the state government process to area high school students interested in government,” said Senator Harriss. “We had a lot of robust conversations pertaining to legislation our students would like to see moving forward and students were able to hear from three incredible speakers who are leaders in our community about their career paths.” Speakers at this year’s YAC included SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor, Damian Jones, Executive Director of Student Athletes Leading Tomorrow (SALT), and Judge Sarah Smith, Circuit Judge in Madison County. Maryville Christian School student AJ Whitley said the discussion with Judge Smith was his favorite part, “I really liked how she

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Police today urged motorists to commit to sober driving this Halloween when children and their families will be walking through neighborhoods after dark in search of candy and spooky fun. If you will be out scaring up a good time, remember to plan ahead for a sober ride home. “Heading out to a Halloween party? Before the fun starts, decide how you’ll get home,” said Lt. Brandn Whittaker. “Just one drink or hit can impact your ability to drive safely and make responsible decisions," he added. "Planning ahead will help keep you – and others – safe. "Never get behind the wheel impaired. It is illegal in Illinois to drive impaired by alcohol, marijuana or any other impairing substance. DUIs are not restricted to alcohol-related offenses. If you drive high, you’ll get a DUI." The Edwardsville Police urges everyone to follow these simple tips to help keep our roads safe this Halloween: Plan a safe way to get home

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EAST ST. LOUIS – On Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, the Illinois State Police Public Safety Enforcement Group released photos of persons of interest in a shooting that occurred earlier in the month. At 7:40 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, the Public Safety Enforcement Group (PSEG) was requested to investigate a shooting at a convenience mart located at 3711 Bunkum Road in East St. Louis. The victim was transported from the scene to a St. Louis area hospital with life-threatening injuries. The Illinois State Police and the East St. Louis Police Department are requesting assistance in identifying two persons of interest. Anyone with knowledge of the incident or information about the persons of interest is asked to contact Crimestoppers by phone at 1-866-371-8477 (TIPS) or visit https://www.stlrcs.org/ . Witnesses can remain anonymous.

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Department Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a suspicious death that occurred in the 5700 block of Apricot which resulted in the death of an adult male. At 6:50 p.m. on October 18, 2023, St. Louis County police officers from the City of Jennings Precinct responded to a call for service for a shooting at a residence in the 5700 block of Apricot Avenue in the city of Jennings. Responding officers located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot injury. The male was pronounced deceased at the scene. The investigation is ongoing. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators if you have any information regarding this incident. To remain anonymous or potentially receive a reward, please contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477)

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EDWARDSVILLE - Senior striker and midfielder Logan Rynders finished his successful high school soccer career on Oct. 17 in a 3-0 Alton loss to Edwardsville in the IHSA Class 3A regional semifinals at Edwardsville's Tiger Stadium. It was a season where he helped the Redbirds bounce back in the second half of the year, as the Redbirds bounced back from a tough start to go 5-3-0 in their last eight regular season games as Alton finished 6-13-0 overall. Throughout the entire season, the club never gave up and kept striving every night, playing with determination and fight, and kept going, no matter what. "I'm still all super proud of the boys on the team," he said following the match. "The way we've grown this season without the initial starting tournament, I don't know. It's hard to talk right now; I just played a really hard game and it's hard to go out like this. But I'm really excited to see what the boys can do for the rest of their years." Rynders is an Auto Butler Alton High Male

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EDWARDSVILLE - Maya Lueking, an Edwardsville girls cross country senior, has been a consistent performer throughout the 2023 season. She was recently part of a group of Edwardsville runners who placed in the top 10 in the conference with a time of 18:52.91 in East St. Louis. She finished second in the women's race at the 27th annual Mud Mountain race this summer, the annual fund-raiser for the EHS cross country and track teams, as well as the teams at both Lincoln and Liberty Middle Schools at SIU-Edwardsville's famed Mud Mountain cross country course. She posted a time of 20:30.1 for the 5,000 meter race. The Tigers' Lueking started the season off in style with a 12th-place finish at the Pete Robinson/Harry Lang Granite City Invitational Meet in Wilson Park, with a time of 18:58.8. For her efforts this season and over the summer, Lueking is a Johnston's Law Office Female Athlete of the Month. In her post-race interview after the Mud Mountain event, she said she was feeling really

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EDWARDSVILLE - A $15 million construction agreement for Phase 2 of Plummer Family Park and new lighting at the park’s pickleball courts were recently approved by the Edwardsville City Council. Several Edwardsville residents and park visitors voiced their support for expanding the park with more pickleball courts, sand volleyball courts, and more at the last council meeting. One More Game (OMG) Pickleball Club member Jim Stout read a statement from Club Chair Dale Miller, who could not attend the meeting. While the Edwardsville pickleball scene and the club’s membership have both increased over the years, Miller said it’s actually getting “too popular,” as the club struggles to find available courts during prime-time pickleball hours. His proposed solution is to double the number of courts at the park, making it a “regional destination” and driving tourism revenue. “Adding 12 pickleball courts to Plummer Family Park will make

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ALTON - Chloe Miller is an Alton High junior with tremendous potential when it comes to both cross country and track and field. Miller, a middle to long-distance runner, was part of a team that broke the school record last year in the 4 x 800 and is also outstanding in the 800-meter run. She will be a force to be reckoned with for opponents this upcoming spring. Her cross country coach Tammy Talbert said she suffered an arm injury in the season and will miss the postseason, but said she has great potential for the future. “Chloe worked so hard and was running so well,” the coach said. “It is disappointing she wasn't able to do the postseason, but this is her first year of running cross country, and will be back.” Chloe, in an early season interview, said she felt good about her early season with times around the 20-minute mark for three miles. “I just joined cross country to help my 800 and help my 4 x 800 relay,” she said. “Cross country

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EDWARDSVILLE – State Senator Erica Harriss (56 th -Glen Carbon) welcomed nearly 50 high school students from a dozen different schools for her Youth Advisory Council (YAC) Tuesday at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. “This event is always a great way to offer a glimpse of the state government process to area high school students interested in government,” said Senator Harriss. “We had a lot of robust conversations pertaining to legislation our students would like to see moving forward and students were able to hear from three incredible speakers who are leaders in our community about their career paths.” Speakers at this year’s YAC included SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor, Damian Jones, Executive Director of Student Athletes Leading Tomorrow (SALT), and Judge Sarah Smith, Circuit Judge in Madison County. Maryville Christian School student AJ Whitley said the discussion with Judge Smith was his favorite part, “I really liked how she

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BETHALTO - Senior Courtney Picklesimer, No. 7 for the Civic Memorial Eagles, has been a leader all season for the girls' volleyball team in both the kills and blocks areas. Picklesimer is also a definite leader for the girls' team this fall. Courtney is a Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Female Athlete of the Month for the Eagles. CM head girls volleyball coach Kristie Ochs said Courtney consistently finds a way to score for her squad. "She is a hard-working, quick hitter, who plays with a lot of heart," the coach said. Again, congrats to Courtney on her selection as a Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Female Athlete of the Month for CM.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC)—joined U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and other Senate colleagues in introducing a bipartisan resolution condemning Hamas’s brutal terrorist attack on Israel and demanding that Hamas release all hostages and allow for their safe return home. “No innocent civilian—not Israelis, not Palestinians, not Illinoisans, not anyone—deserves to suffer the violence, terrorism, hate and abject heartbreak that too many human souls have faced since last Saturday’s Hamas terrorist attacks,” said Senator Duckworth. “Our bipartisan resolution today sends a message to all hostages—and all families experiencing the agony of having to wonder about the safety and wellbeing of their loved ones—that the United States sees them and is with them. There is never any excuse for terrorism and Hamas

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GODFREY - The BJC Medical Group celebrated the opening of their new Godfrey Outpatient Center, which will provide convenient, primary and specialty care in the Riverbend region. “Where other folks have been kind of pulling back in the healthcare industry, we’re investing in the communities around us, and that includes right here in the Alton and Godfrey areas,” said Douglas Pogue, president of BJC Medical Group. “We’re trying to establish as much as we possibly can here in this center so the people have something nice that’s close to home.” The Godfrey Outpatient Center’s new location at 5213 Godfrey Road is a bigger and more accessible space than its previous building a few blocks down the street. Pogue explained that walk-in convenient care will be available 12 hours a day, seven days a week, and they plan to introduce primary care physicians in the next 30 to 60 days. BJC will relocate a few specialists to the Godfrey center,

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GRAFTON - Pere Marquette Park Urban Fishing Coordinator Scott Isringhausen has a program coming on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Pere Marquette State Park Visitor’s Center that he has done for three decades - Fishing and Night Hike Owl Program. The event is free to the public and will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. Following the educational program, youth can fish at the Blue Gill Pond which sits next to the visitor center at Pere Marquette. Isringhausen said the Fishing and Night Hike Owl Program is one of his favorite annual events as a park ranger. At 7:30 p.m. on the evening of Nov. 3, 2023, Isringhausen will present a program on owls and other creatures someone might hear at night when fishing, camping, hiking, etc., outdoors. “Following the program, the group will take a night hike to listen for owls and other night sounds,” Isringhausen said. “The hike will be about two miles long and a portion of it will be uphill. Join us for a hotdog and marshmallow

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) re-introduced legislation to ensure breast cancer patients and survivors who have experienced a mastectomy are able to access custom breast prosthetics under Medicare. The Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act would provide coverage for custom fabricated breast prostheses—which, unlike other prosthetic devices, are not currently covered by Medicare—to the more than 100,000 women who undergo mastectomies annually. “We can do so much more to help patients and survivors of breast cancer fully recover and achieve the best quality of life,” said Senator Duckworth. “It is absurd that the breast is the only human body part not currently covered by Medicare as a customized replacement, which is one of the reasons why I’m proud to reintroduce this legislation with Senator Murkowski to finally change that and help expand access and options for women who have already

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CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Joni Ernst (R-IA), and Cory Booker (D-NJ), led 45 colleagues in urging President Biden to continue putting his full attention on the freeing of American hostages that were taken by Hamas during the terrorist organization’s October 7 th attacks on Israel and supporting Israel’s efforts to dismantle the threat of Hamas. In the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “We appreciate that you have sent the U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs to Israel to assist in the recovery of the hostages, and we urge you to do everything in your power to secure their safe release. Hamas has already killed 30 Americans and likely injured many more… The terrorists responsible for these atrocities hide behind human shields while they threaten to livestream the execution of hostages. Hamas has also reportedly demanded the mass release of prisoners in exchange for freeing

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EDWARDSVILLE - Three Edwardsville firemen were recently promoted and took their new Oaths of Office at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2023. Captain Robert “Bob” Morgan was promoted to Assistant Fire Chief, Lieutenant Edward Burnley was promoted to Fire Captain, and Firefighter/Paramedic Tanner Sweetman was promoted to Fire Lieutenant. Edwardsville Fire Chief James Whiteford said Morgan has served as Captain since 2009 and has been unofficially acting as Fire Marshal for several years - this promotion will make those duties official, he said. Burnley started with the department in 2012 and has served as Lieutenant for just over a year, Chief Whiteford said. He added Burnley also leads the Technical Rescue activities training for the department and Madison County as a whole. Burnley’s promotion will fill Morgan’s former position as Captain. Sweetman’s promotion fills Burnley’s former position as Lieutenant. Chief Whiteford

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ALTON - For those who need a mid-week break, Café 111 has got you covered with the introduction of Wine Down Wednesdays. From 4–7 p.m. every Wednesday, you can stop by Café 111 for a signature cocktail and a relaxing night out. Jason Harrison, CEO of Lamays Catering, explained the goal of Wine Down Wednesdays is to bring people together, whether you like wine or not. “We will have a weekly signature cocktail with a mix of classic and creative options,” Harrison said. “For those who don’t drink alcohol but still would like to experience a great ambiance with board games and networking, we will also have a signature mocktail.” The café serves a variety of soups, wings and other light appetizers you can enjoy with your drink. Wine Down Wednesday kicks off on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. Check out the official Café 111 Facebook page and website for specials, or stop by their location at 111 E. 4th Street in Alton

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