GODFREY – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced the closure of Cook Street between Greenwood Lane and Pierce Lane beginning Monday, June 22, 2026, weather permitting, for road reconstruction. During the closure, access to properties within the work zone will be maintained via Illinois 3 using the newly constructed section of Cook Street. The west portion of Cook Street will be closed to traffic. This portion of work is expected to be completed by mid-August. This
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today are leading their Senate Democratic colleagues in urging the Trump Administration to help ensure websites and mobile applications are accessible for Americans with disabilities. In a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy, the Senators sharply criticized the Trump Administration’s efforts to revise and delay federal
CHICAGO — Yesterday, Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 862 into law, creating the Illinois Department of Disability Advocacy and Guardianship (IDAG). This landmark legislation positions Illinois as a national leader in disability advocacy and guardianship by elevating the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission (IGAC) to a cabinet-level department. "By establishing the Department of Disability Advocacy and Guardianship, we are making it crystal clear that disability rights are
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – On Tuesday, Governor JB Pritzker approved the $56 billion Fiscal Year 2027 Illinois State Budget, which spends nearly a billion dollars more than last year. The Democratic majority’s budget, passed in the early morning hours of the final day of session, is a record-high $55.9 billion and relies on $800 million in new revenue, including new taxes on social media platforms and digital ads, while raiding $150 million of revenue from the state sales tax on
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and John Curtis (R-UT) to improve coordination between the United States and our partners in the Indo-Pacific successfully passed the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) today. With the threat of increasing aggression from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the Indo-Pacific, the Senators’ bipartisan South China Sea Strategy Act would ensure the State Department prioritizes diplomati
A barbecue can turn an ordinary patch of grass, a driveway, or a small balcony into the center of the neighborhood. Put fire, food, and a few chairs in one place, and people who barely speak all week suddenly start swapping stories, offering advice, and asking for another helping. That simple scene helps explain why humans love barbecues. They are not just a way to cook. They bring together something old and deeply familiar with something social and enjoyable. A barbecue gives people a reason
On June 18, one of the most important events in modern world history is the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, the clash that ended Napoleon Bonaparte’s rule for good. Fought in present-day Belgium, the battle brought together French forces against an allied army led by the Duke of Wellington and supported by Prussian troops under Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher. At the time, it mattered because it decided who would shape Europe after years of war and political upheaval. It still matters today
EDWARDSVILLE - Several appointments, zoning matters, and property purchases were approved Wednesday night at the Madison County Board meeting in Edwardsville, while public speakers urged officials not to sell Special Sewer Area 1 to American Water. The board made five appointments to local boards. David Kuehnel was appointed to the Wood River Drainage and Levee District, replacing Nathan Kincade, who resigned. In the Moro Water District, Mark Allison and Darren Singleton were reappointed. Amand
EDWARDSVILLE — Katie Albrecht and Emma Gusewelle have concluded their senior years at Metro East Lutheran High School after standout bowling careers that included all-conference recognition and postseason competition. The two girls are BJ's Printables Female Athletes of the Month for MELHS. Metro East Lutheran’s girls bowling team turned in a strong performance at the Gateway Metro Conference Bowling Tournament, where Gusewelle and Kacy Gearns earned honorable mention all-conference
EDWARDSVILLE - Connor Schaefer is a rising junior pitcher and outfielder for the baseball team at Granite City High School, and he is hopeful for a good season ahead for both himself and the Warriors. Schaefer is a Stillwater Senior Living Male Athlete Of The Month for the Warriors. Schaefer progressed during the 2026 campaign for the Warriors, and the future looks very bright. Schaefer emphasized the team aspect of the game in an interview during the season after a game against Edwardsville.
EDWARDSVILLE – An Illinois man charged by Edwardsville police with stalking and hate crime offenses has been ordered released from custody. Richard E. Davis, 61, of Smithton, Ill., was charged on June 4, 2026 with the following offenses: Hate crime (Class 3 felony) Stalking (Class 4 felony) Unlawful restraint (Class 4 felony) Criminal defacement of property (Class 4 felony) Unlawful use of an electronic tracking device (Class A misdemeanor) Criminal trespass to vehicles
EDWARDSVILLE/GLEN CARBON - Jimmy John’s has closed its location at 1063 South Route 157 in Edwardsville and plans to reopen later this month in June 2026 at 99 Magnolia in Glen Carbon, according to an announcement at the former site and an employee at the chain’s other Glen Carbon location. A note to customers at the Route 157 location announced the closure and the planned reopening. Construction is underway at the new Magnolia address in Glen Carbon. An employee at Jimmy John’s
GODFREY - As Vitality Women’s Clinic prepares to conclude their Baby Bottle Campaign, Executive Director Jackie Duty emphasized the importance of giving toward the organization’s work. Vitality is a pro-life, faith-based pregnancy clinic that provides free pregnancy and STI testing, ultrasounds and other resources to individuals experiencing unplanned pregnancies. They do not refer for or perform abortions. Duty highlighted their work and the building “momentum”
BUNKER HILL – Bunker Hill High School celebrated its Class of 2026 at a graduation ceremony May 15, but for two graduates, the night was doubly important. Grace Burris and Vivien Wilcox were among those who received their high school diplomas that night, but they also received their associate degrees from Lewis and Clark Community College. “Both students also received our ‘Academic Trailblazer’ award, named after Lewis and Clark’s mascot, which recognizes
ST. LOUIS - U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig on Wednesday sentenced a convicted felon who lied about the accidental shooting of a toddler to 46 months in prison. On March 6, 2025, Rodrick Miller and his girlfriend cleaned an Anderson Manufacturing, AM-15 semiautomatic pistol and left it unattended on a couch in the girlfriend’s Wellston home. After the girlfriend’s son was shot in the calf, she and Miller took him to the hospital. On the way, Miller hid the gun behind
ALTON - The City of Alton invites residents, business owners, and community stakeholders to attend a public open house on Thursday, June 25, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Old Bakery Beer Company to help shape the redevelopment of the city's downtown Broadway corridor. The open house will focus on implementation of the City's Great Streets Plan, adopted in 2020, with an emphasis on planned improvements along East Broadway between Market Street and Ridge Street. Attendees will have the opportunity
WOOD RIVER – Wood River residents looking to make exterior home improvements may be eligible for new grants from the city. Wood River City Council members unanimously approved an ordinance on June 15, 2026 to establish an Exterior Renovation Program to encourage city-wide homeowners to make various property improvements. City Manager Steve Palen said the matching grant program will help offset the costs for property owners to repair and replace siding, fascia, roofing, and more. The
BUNKER HILL – A few years ago, Bunker Hill High School was determined to find a way to address a decline in students pursuing post-secondary education and prepare them for successful careers. “We were faced with the same problems a lot of schools were having,” said Superintendent Todd Dugan. “Under half of our student body was continuing to pursue post-secondary education. We also noticed our high school students were disengaged regarding experiences that were relevan
GODFREY - A GoFundMe campaign organized by Brandy Watson of Shipman is seeking support for John Green Jr. and his family after Green was injured in a motorcycle accident recently on Godfrey Road, according to information shared by family members. The family says Green faces “a long road to recovery” after the crash and is dealing with multiple injuries and multiple surgeries. It asks for donations to help cover medical and living expenses while he remains hospitalized and unable
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