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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced a settlement agreement that resolves an investigation by the Attorney General’s office and the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) into a medical staffing company’s practice of deducting “booking fees” when workers missed shifts. Under the settlement, GrapeTree Medical Staffing, LLC (GrapeTree), agrees to pay approximately $950,000 in back wages and interest to around 3,000 current and former employees in Illinois. “Illinois law prohibits employers from disciplining employees by deducting their pay. Any company doing business in our state must follow laws that require workers to be compensated for the hours they work without unauthorized pay deductions,” Raoul said. “I am committed to enforcing laws that protect Illinois workers and support law-abiding businesses, and my office will continue to collaborate with the Illinois Department of Labor to accomplish that goal.” “At

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BLOOMINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding new reports by The Marshall Project and NPR , as well as Washington Lawyers’ Committee , of abuse at USP Thomson: “Throughout my congressional career, I’ve sought to address injustices facing incarcerated people and their families. Last summer, I was deeply disturbed by reports of abuses at USP Thomson. I called for an investigation, which the Justice Department Inspector General agreed to undertake. The deeply disturbing allegations detailed in today’s reports emphasize the need to expedite this investigation and refer any crimes that may have been committed to the Justice Department for prosecution. Anyone who violated the civil rights of individuals incarcerated at Thomson should be held accountable. “I strongly supported the BOP Director’s decision to remove the Special Management Unit,

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METROPOLIS – Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) are investigating an in-custody death of an inmate at the Massac County Jail at the request of the Massac County Sheriff’s Department. On July 5, 2023, at approximately 9:14 a.m., correctional staff found 43-year-old Dennis F. Schapmire of Ozark, IL deceased in his jail cell. An autopsy was performed at the Williamson County Morgue and the cause of death is pending toxicology results. The investigation is on-going and no additional information is being released at this time.

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ALTON - An Alton girl can claim she ranked as the best 200-meter sprinter in the USATF 15-16-year-old female age division with a recent performance. Rayna Raglin, a 15-year-old sprinter sensation, received national attention this past weekend when she captured first place in the 15-16-year-old division 200-meter race in the USATF Youth National Track Championships in Geneva, Ohio. The Alton High Athletic Department said Raglin "put Alton on the map this weekend with her outstanding performance on a national stage." Raglin, who just completed her freshman year, won the 200 in a scorching time of 24.9 seconds and was second in the 100 and third in the long jump. Her final times were 12.2 seconds for the 100 and she jumped 17-foot-3 in the long jump. Raglin’s father, Rodney, said he could not be more proud of his daughter. He said she has worked very hard over the summer and simply loves track and field. The future looks extraordinarily bright for the Redbird performer who will

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GODFREY - An observation platform at the Nature Institute will not be rebuilt after it sustained damage in a fire. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. The flames started on Wednesday night and reignited on Thursday morning. There were no electrical outlets near the platform or anything to suggest an electrical fire. It was built out there so that visitors could climb up to the top and really just kind of get a bird’s eye view of the prairie,” Ramona Pollard, the Institute’s outreach director, said. “It didn’t have anything on it. There were a few benches that people could sit on, but it was really just an overlook tower to get a good view of the prairie in bloom.” Pollard added that the prairie has been “absolutely beautiful” this year. She said they are not planning to rebuild the platform. There have been enough instances of vandalism out there recently that it just wouldn’t be a wise choice at this

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CARLINVILLE - The new president of the Carlinville Public Library board of trustees is a familiar face. Kris Rosentreter, an active member of the Carlinville community, was sworn as president at the July 5 meeting of the board. Rosentreter rejoined the nine-member board in 2017 and had served as vice president since 2020. He replaces Peg Fehr, who stepped down after six years in the position, citing a desire for more time. Fehr will remain on the board. Rosentreter requested that Fehr serve as vice president for one year, saying that he wanted to lean on her expertise and knowledge. The longest-serving board member, Fehr joined the group in 1987. At the July 5 meeting, board members presented Fehr with a card of thanks for her service as president. Fehr held the position through several key events at the library, including the COVID-19 pandemic, a successful fund-raising effort to replace the library roof, the installation of new HVAC systems, the hiring of a new director, and continue

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JERSEYVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that repairs on Illinois 16 between Mound Street and 0.2 miles east of Cherry Lane will require intermittent lane closures, starting, weather permitting, 7 a.m., Monday, July 10. Flaggers will maintain two-lane traffic. 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. The work is expected to be complete by the end of July. 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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GODFREY - Several members of various committees, commissions, and more for the Village of Godfrey were appointed or re-appointed at Wednesday night’s Village Board of Trustees meeting. Trustees approved the reappointment of the following members of the Planning & Zoning Commission: Robin Long, Andrew Bowen, Martha Morse, David Gentry, Gerard Fischer, Matt Horn, and Joseph Mays. The Parks & Recreation Committee gained one new member, Craig Lombardi, who also serves as a village trustee. The following members were re-appointed: Trish Holmes, Mike Walters, Craig Rathgeb, Rob Hasse, Steve Thompson, Ed Lindsay, Mark Lorch, Karen McAtee, and Chris Logan. The village’s Community Planning, Economic Development, and Infrastructure (CPEDI) Committee also gained one new member, Andrew Ambrose. Reappointed members were Jim Mager, Sharon O’Neal, Linda Wheaton, John Keller, Jennifer Russell, Karen McAtee, Sarah Woodman, and Susan Robbins. The following individuals were

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CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation on June 30 designed to improve care for people who suffer from strokes in Illinois. HB 2238 authorizes the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to recognize a new level of certification that hospitals can voluntarily seek for treating stroke victims. The measure will help ensure patients who need care during or after a stroke can be sent to hospitals that provide the appropriate level of care. The bill was sponsored in the House by State Representative Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora), Assistant Majority Leader, and in the Senate by State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville). “Strokes kill thousands of Illinoisans each year and can cause debilitating damage for those who survive them,” Governor JB Pritzker said. “This legislation will encourage our world class hospitals to upgrade the care they provide for stroke victims with the goal of saving as many lives as possible and helping patients recover and continue

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Community Foundation (ECF) is proud to announce its 2023 scholarships, which include 51 individual scholarships for District 7 high school seniors to continue their education. The total amount awarded this year is $109,400. Each year, ECF manages the selection and distribution of numerous scholarship funds on behalf of generous donors whose charitable gifts make these awards possible. ECF thanks individual donors, businesses, and organizations for their generous contributions. “All of ECF’s scholarship awards are a direct result of donors who want to positively impact local students' education,” Pamela Farrar, ECF executive director, said. “We’re so appreciative of their generosity.” “It's comforting to know that there are people in my community who understand how important learning is, and provide resources for students to have more autonomy in affording their education. It helps rebuild that space to learn

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Wednesday, July 5, 2022, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on suspect Antonio Speed, 46 years of age, of the 100 block of Jendale Court in St. Louis, Missouri 63136, for Murder Second Degree, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, one count of Assault First Degree, one count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, one count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and one count of Receiving Stolen Property. A booking photo of Speed is attached. Speed is being held on a $2,000,000.00 cash only, no 10% bond. Please note, charges are merely an accusation and Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. The probable cause statement reads: On July 4, 2023, male Victim, decedent, and a female were walking to a barbecue event on Jendale Court. Male and female saw Defendant yelling, Defendant ran out from his residence and started firing a handgun at the male and female. Male Victim is struck multiple times

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WOOD RIVER – Entrepreneurs and new business startups are invited to compete in the 2023 Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 10th annual regional business plan competition. The MESC is organized by the Illinois Small Business Development Center ( SBDC ) for the Metro East at SIUE. The purpose of the challenge is to identify, encourage and support entrepreneurs and business startups across the SBDC’s service area, including Jersey, Calhoun, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe, and Randolph Counties. The competition continues to expand its reach, adding Fayette and Montgomery Counties in 2021. This year, the MESC is again extending its reach to include Macoupin County. The first-place winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize. Second, third, and fourth place winners will receive $6,000, $4,000, and $2,000, respectively. The four prize winners will also receive an array of in-kind professional service

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GLEN CARBON - The Madison County Sheriff's Office released information about a missing person from Glen Carbon on Thursday afternoon. At 3:27 p.m. on Thursday, the sheriff's office reported that Holly Souder had been found "safe and sound." Souder, a female, 32 years of age, with brown hair (shaved head), 6 feet, 135 pounds, blue eyes, and wearing a blue dress was reported missing to the sheriff's office earlier. The sheriff's office said Holly left her Glen Carbon residence sometime last night and may be experiencing a medical issue. Holly may be driving an aqua color, four-door, 2009 Toyota Camry, Illinois License plate DE26738.

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CHAMPAIGN – Two interns from the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center, who are also Lewis and Clark Community College alumni, presented their research at the 59th Annual Meeting of the Illinois Chapter of the Wildlife Society (ICTWS) in Champaign, Illinois, this past April. Addis Moore and Jacob Decker are currently attending Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, but both earned their associate degree from Lewis and Clark. Moore and Decker are prime examples of L&C students making the most of the unique professional development opportunities that L&C and NGRREC have to offer. Decker started as an intern with NGRREC’s Habitat Strike Team in Spring 2021 and was later hired as a Strike Team Junior Assistant. He has also conducted research with NGRREC’s Conservation Program Manager Justin Shew on wildlife habitat associations using trail cameras to detect wildlife ranging in size from white-tailed deer to squirrels. Furthermore, Decker, along

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Police Department made 2 impaired driving arrests, issued 38 seat belt citations, 6 distracted driving citations, and issued 13 other citations during the recent Independence Day “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” “Drive High Get a DUI” and “Click It or Ticket” safety campaigns. The Edwardsville Police joined forces with more than 200 other state and local law enforcement agencies to take impaired drivers off our roads, encourage seat belt use, and enforce speeding and other traffic laws. The effort featured high-visibility enforcement combined with a variety of outreach activities including a media campaign titled, “It’s Not a Game.” The enforcement period was funded by federal traffic safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

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EDWARDSVILLE/TROY - No need to travel to Europe for authentic Italian cuisine. Mio Osteria and Mio Trattoria will bring Italian favorites to Edwardsville and Troy within the next few weeks. Mio Osteria, which translates to “my tavern,” will offer sandwiches, steak, fish, pasta dishes and more. The restaurant is slated to open in Edwardsville in three weeks. Mio Trattoria, or “my restaurant,” will open in Troy a few weeks later, with a similar but larger menu. Co-owner Micah Hopkin said the restaurants will feel like Italian sandwich shops in the daytime and Italian eateries at night. “We’re excited to be in both locations and happy to see all the new faces,” Micah said. Micah and his wife, Aerica Zimmerman Hopkin, have spent most of their lives in restaurants. Micah’s parents owned a restaurant with seven locations during his childhood and teenage years, and his mother is still involved in the industry. Aerica has always wanted t

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ALTON - The Alton Dispensary's highly anticipated grand opening is set to begin at 10 a.m. Friday with a variety of festivities throughout the day. The Alton Dispensary is located at 1400 E. Broadway in Alton. The business has been operating on soft opening status for a period of time, but today is the official opening. "We are proud of Alton’s rich history and heritage and even more proud to be a part of that heritage as we open The Alton Dispensary," Alton Dispensary officials said. "We are excited and honored to be the first to bring cannabis legalization to Alton, Illinois." General Manager Brett Followell said earlier about the Dispensary: "The company has put a ton of work and effort into this establishment and it shows. It is gorgeous and really look forward to leading the team." One of the first patrons of the Dispensary Brihana, shown below, said: "I am beyond happy to have it here. Now having it here in Alton, it is beautiful. We won't have to travel outside."Today,

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XENIA - Darren Bailey officially announced his bid Tuesday for Congress in the 12th District and a battle against Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike Bost. Bost has been a five-term incumbent. "I'm ready to continue our fight for hard-working families in Southern Illinois," Bailey said in a statement. "I'm running to fight for you in Congress by representing Illinois' 12th District. This district is my home, where my family is, and where we own and operate our family farm. "I will always listen to the people and be a strong voice for our communities and conservative values. Help us restore our voice and join the fight to take our country back." Bailey served in the Illinois State House and Senate and lost the Illinois race for governor to J.B. Pritzker in 2022.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers is planning to open a location in Edwardsville. The fast food chain specializes in chicken tenders, fries, and “Cane’s Sauce,” and this would mark their second location in the Metro East. The new location will be built as a drive-thru restaurant on the corner of Troy Road and Governors Parkway, on the far side of the BJC Outpatient Center parking lot. The site at 2104 Governors Parkway previously belonged to a gas station that stood when the BJC Outpatient Center building was occupied by Shop N Save. The Edwardsville Administrative and Community Services Committee approved both a Special Use Permit and Variance last week, green-lighting the plans for a Raising Cane’s drive-thru restaurant and sending it to the full City Council for a vote on Thursday, July 6. The variance reduces the typically-required minimum front setback of 50 feet for the structure. While the building itself adheres to the 50-foot setback

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ALTON - Alton Alderwoman Rosie Brown today announced the Fourth Ward Picnic is from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 15, at Hellrung Park on Union Street in Alton. Brown said everything is free, games for the children and adults, free food, drinks, prizes, bounce houses. "This is a way to unify families in our community and to know who our neighbors are," she said. "Also to get to know what churches, businesses and organizations are in our neighborhoods. Come out and lets get to know each other, let's mingle and have a great time!" Call Alderwoman Rosetta Brown at 618-433-9976 with any questions.

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