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In letters to United Airlines, American Airlines, and Airlines for America, Durbin requests answers on how these airlines plan to improve service and decrease unnecessary costs for Americans SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today sent letters to the leadership of United Airlines, American Airlines, and Airlines for America (A4A) to urge the companies to address customer frustration around flight delays and excessive fees for checked baggage, Wi-Fi service, seat assignments, and more. Citing startling statistics around the skyrocketing number of travel disruptions and outrageous fees, Durbin pressed the companies for answers on how airlines, which are making record profits, will better look out for consumers. “I am writing to express my concern regarding ongoing challenges that airline passengers face, and to inquire what United Airlines / American Airlines / Airlines for America is doing to address these complaints from the American

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced the Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2023 in the House of Representatives and the Senate. The legislation will make grants available to states to inform Medicaid enrollees, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants, and low-income residents of their potential eligibility for the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Lifeline program and Affordable Connectivity Program s (ACP). The Lifeline program and ACP provide free or low-cost wireless service and internet capable devices to qualifying individuals. Affordable internet connection increases opportunities for education, employment, health access, and community building. The Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2023 will provide states with resources to increase awareness of these programs amongst eligible populations and increase usage of the Lifeline program and ACP. According to the National

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EDWARDSVILLE/GLEN CARBON - The Madison County Historical Society (MCHS) promises fun for all generations at the upcoming Living History Days Festival. This three-day festival will run Oct. 6–8, 2023 at different historical sites in Edwardsville and Glen Carbon. From vintage vehicle exhibitions to Native American craft demonstrations, there are free activities and displays for everyone to enjoy. MCHS works to share local history through events like the festival and their Madison County Historical Museum and Archival Library. “As a county historical society, we try to promote things that are saving history all throughout the county,” explained historian and MCHS board member Cindy Reinhardt. This mission is never more prominent than at the annual Living History Days Festival, which kicks off at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023 with a concert by Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials at Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville. Heartsfield will take the stage at 7:30 p.m.

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Orgain LLC of Irvine, CA is voluntarily recalling a limited production run of its Organic Protein Powder + Superfoods, Creamy Chocolate Fudge flavor, because it may contain an undeclared sesame allergen. People who have a sesame allergy or severe sensitivity to sesame run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product. Protein Powder + Superfoods, Creamy Chocolate Fudge 43.8 ounce/2.64 lb. is an item exclusively sold at Costco. The impacted product is limited to four lots and has been traced to select Costco warehouse locations, but not to Costco’s e-commerce site. No other Orgain products or retailers are affected by this voluntary recall. No illnesses have been reported to date. A co-manufacturer inadvertently used sesame in a limited production of Orgain's Organic Protein + Superfoods, Creamy Chocolate Fudge flavor. The co-manufacturer informed Orgain that the product was distributed with an undeclared sesame allergen and Orgain initiated

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ALTON - Main Street America, Illinois Main Street and Alton Main Street are excited to present Jon Schallert in Alton, Illinois on October 26 th , 2023. Jon is an exceptional destination business expert with over 25 years of community experience. The workshop will be held on Thursday, October 26th from 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at The Lovejoy Wedding & Event Center, located at 401 Piasa St. Alton, IL 62002. Presenter Jon Schallert teaches businesses and communities how to turn themselves into Consumer Destinations. Jon speaks to thousands annually on his Destination Business process, which he developed over the course of 25 years while interviewing 10,000+ independent business owners in 600+ cities. In this workshop created for Illinois business owners and community leaders, Jon will show how most businesses today can attract more customers, increase sales and profits, and lower their advertising costs when they start marketing as Destination Businesses. Attendees of this workshop will lear

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PIASA – This Veterans Day, Southwestern Military History Club students will set up a field of American flags, all to honor local veterans and raise critical funds to support our nation’s ill and injured heroes. Each donated flag represents a special veteran in someone else’s life, with proceeds benefitting DAV (Disabled American Veterans) and their free, life-changing services for veterans in need and their families. The flags will be displayed at Southwestern High School on and before Nov. 11. Military History Club Sponsor Jeff Eldred said, “The club tries to bring knowledge of and support for our serving military members and our veterans. When we saw this opportunity to help our veterans, the students were excited to do their part. We also hope this Field of Flags fundraiser helps bring our communities together in support of our military and its veterans.” For more than 100 years, DAV has helped veterans of all generations’ live high-quality

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ALTON – The 35 th Annual Alton Chili Cook-Off will occur as planned on Saturday, October 14 th , but ticket sales will be cut off earlier than usual due to low participation. 13 teams are registered, but 20 teams are needed to feed the typical crowd that attends. The event will move forward this year but is in jeopardy in future years unless more teams decide to get involved. The event was cancelled in 2022 due to Madison County Health Department rules that prohibited cooking in advance in a home kitchen and reheating the chili on-site, but the Health Department has revamped their policy and put reasonable rules in place to hold the event while keeping everyone safe. “We appreciate how the MCHD has worked with us on this,” said Sara McGibany, Executive Director of Alton Main Street who coordinates the event, adding “We wanted to clear up any misconceptions that the new rules are burdensome – the new rules require one team member to take an online food handler

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ALTON - Alton Fire Department Chief Jesse Jemison confirmed the fire in the 2300 block of Sunset Avenue on Wednesday had a fatality. The chief didn't release any other information other than the death being investigated by the fire department, the state fire marshal's office and the Alton Police Department. More information should be released about the fatality later today, the chief said. Presently, the fire department is notifying family members about the death.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on Senate passage of the Continuing Resolution (CR), which will fund the federal government through November 17: “Extreme MAGA House Republicans failed. The right-wing policies that they have been pushing for weeks were removed from the short-term government funding bill and hundreds of thousands of hardworking Americans and service men and women will not be forced to work without pay come Monday. “And while today’s particular bill did not include additional funding to Ukraine, I want the brave Ukrainians who continue to push back against Putin to know that the United States still stands, and will continue to stand with you—and we will find additional ways in the future to continue our commitment to you. “Now, Congress must roll up its sleeves and complete the government funding process before November 17.”

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ALTON - In 2016, Pride Incorporated, a non-profit beautification organization, transformed State House Circle into the picturesque landmark it is today to commemorate their 50-year anniversary. The project, meticulously designed by Tim Matifes—Chairman of the Beautification Committee at the time — came to fruition thanks to generous donations and the dedication of many talented individuals. Pride’s circle of volunteers, comprising family and friends, has tirelessly maintained the lush and stately landscaping throughout the years, ensuring its continued splendor. Once more, Pride is enhancing this historic landmark by planting four Autumn Blaze Maple trees around its perimeter, further enriching its vibrant color palette. On October 10th, starting at 9:00 am, Waldbart & Sons Nursery of Dorsey will commence the tree installation. A heartfelt thank you is extended to Alton Parks and Recreation for providing logistical assistance and support for this beautification

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ALTON - Alton Police and Fire Departments worked a two-vehicle crash just after 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, on Alby Street at East Center Drive. Alton Fire Department Battalion Chief Bill Simon was the coordinator at the scene and he said initially there was a call of possible entrapment but when the firefighters and police arrived, a passerby had helped pull the door open for someone in one of the vehicles. The vehicles had damage to the front and back, he said. He also said no one was transported with injuries from the scene. No other details were available about the crash at this time.

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TEUTOPOLIS – With information provided by the community, the Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation has been able to identify the vehicle and driver believed to be involved in the September 29, 2023 crash just outside of Teutopolis that resulted in five fatalities and multiple injuries. “Thank you to the communities of Montrose and Teutopolis, and everyone who provided information to ISP,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “The information we received from the community has been instrumental in identifying the vehicle and driver believed to be involved in this case.” On Friday, September 29, 2023, ISP, the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, Teutopolis Fire Protection District, and other local law enforcement, fire, and emergency services responded to a crash that occurred at 8:42 p.m. on 19740 East U.S. Highway 40. The crash involved a semi-truck tanker carrying 7,500 gallons of anhydrous ammonia,

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SPRINGFIELD —Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Director John J. Kim today announced $750,000 in funding through the release of a Section 604(b) Water Quality Management Program Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). This grant program is used to implement the Illinois Water Quality Management Program and Illinois’ Nonpoint Source Management Program through water quality projects and activities. The NOFO has been posted at https://il.amplifund.com/Public/Opportunities/Details/d08c9b29-bf05-4432-8dda-3e8f2b0d1787 . Grant funds under this program can be used to determine the nature, extent and causes of point and nonpoint source water pollution, develop watershed-based plans, and develop technical and administrative tools to support development and implementation of water pollution control projects and programs. In addition, projects can develop designs for best management practices to address water quality problems, implement administrative

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Cookies-N-Milk, of McKinney, TX is recalling their 6oz cups of "Chocolate Chip Edible Cookie Dough" because it may contain undeclared peanuts. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. “Chocolate Chip Edible Cookie Dough” with lot # 32402342 C has been recalled which was made available in retail stores throughout the states of IA, KS, MN, MO, ND, NE, SD, WI, WY. The recalled product is packaged in a 6oz clear plastic cup with the Cookies-N-Milk brand and the lot # 32402342 C found on the top side and is potentially filled with peanut butter edible cookie dough. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. After receiving a notification from a distributor, the investigation indicates the problem occurred at the packaging stage. Consumers who have purchased 6oz cups of "Cookies-N-Milk Chocolate Chip edible cookie dough" with the identified

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GRANITE CITY – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that road repairs will require lane closures in both directions of Interstate 270 between Illinois 3 and Riverview Drive in Missouri starting, weather permitting, Friday, Oct. 6, at 9 p.m. One lane will always remain open in each direction. All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 9. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. 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. 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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CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined leadership from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network, and local officials to announce the launch of the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Chicago (CZ Biohub Chicago)—a new biomedical research hub at the cutting edge of leading scientific study. CZ Biohub Chicago brings together three of Illinois’ leading scientific and technology institutions—University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and Northwestern University—to study human tissue with the goal of enabling new, groundbreaking therapeutics. CZ Biohub Chicago was selected in early 2023 to join the prestigious CZ Biohub Network, which includes a $250 million investment from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. “The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative has recognized what we’ve been promoting and demonstrating to investors and businesses across the globe—when it comes to cutting edge development and research, there’s

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SPRINGFIELD - Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias is awarding more than $400,000 to the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) to support 28 prison libraries throughout the state, in a first-of-its-kind partnership. The funding provides each correctional facility library with $15,000 to purchase reading materials – such as books, magazines and newspapers – or library supplies. The Secretary had provided grants to IDOC facilities decades ago, but the program was eliminated during the 1980s. “Access to books, educational materials and informative technology offers individuals the opportunity to empower themselves by acquiring new skills and broadening their horizons,” Giannoulias said. “By giving themselves the opportunity to prepare for a better life, a changed life, outside of the prison system, we’re helping individuals break free from the cycle of recidivism.” “IDOC is pleased to receive this generous grant

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TRENTON – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that a culvert replacement project on Old U.S. 50 in Clinton County will begin, weather permitting, at 6 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, through 10 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8. To complete the necessary work, Old U.S. 50 from near Summerfield to Illinois 160 will be closed to through traffic. Motorists should follow the marked detour utilizing U.S. 50 and Illinois 160. Access to local traffic will be maintained by signage throughout construction. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, consider alternate routes, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. The project is anticipated to be completed in November. 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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EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County State's Attorney's Office announced today a Granite City High School teacher - John S. Manoogian - has entered a guilty plea to misdemeanor charges of criminal sexual abuse and battery and has been sentenced. Manoogian, 61, was indicted in March 2021 on counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and battery. Manoogian was a long-time director of a Granite City performing arts program. Granite City Police started the probe of the teacher. The State's Attorney's Office said the incidents occurred between August 2019 and February 2020 and involved seven students between ages of 14 and 16. As part of the plea agreement, Manoogian was sentenced to 18 months probation and was forced to surrender his teaching license. He entered a guilty plea to two counts of criminal sexual abuse and five counts of battery. Madison County Regional Superintendent of Schools Robert Werden has already begun the process of notifying the Illinois State Board of Education’s

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with Illinois Speaker of the House Emanuel “Chris” Welch to discuss Illinois’ humanitarian response to the arrival of more than 15,000 migrants. During their meeting, Durbin, Duckworth, and Speaker Welch spoke about the need for the Biden Administration to offer critical support to Illinois as it responds to migrants arriving in the state. Durbin and Duckworth reaffirmed their commitment to working with their state partners, including Speaker Welch, to ensure that the federal government offers adequate funding and resources to the state. “Our government is at its best when every level of government works together. I’m grateful to have a hardworking partner like Speaker Welch in the state government who is similarly dedicated to delivering for the people of Illinois,” said Durbin. “We had a productive discussion about how we ca

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