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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford presented an oral argument today in their lawsuit asking the federal government to acknowledge the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The ERA guarantees equal rights for all Americans regardless of their sex. In the argument before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, Solicitor General Jane Notz of the Illinois Attorney General’s office represented Illinois and Nevada and contended that the federal archivist should be ordered to certify and publish the ERA in the official U.S. Constitution. According to Raoul and Ford, a lower court overlooked the special role that Article V of the Constitution gives states in the amendment process, improperly discounted the actions of their state legislatures in ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment, and gave too much weight to a seven-year ratification deadline that Congress included in its language

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COLLINSVILLE - Seasons come and go, but home gardening, environmental stewardship, and backyard food production take year-round effort. The University of Illinois Extension provides timely tips in its fall edition of the popular Four Seasons Gardening horticulture workshops. Each online workshop is free. Registration is required at the website listed. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate, contact Gemini Bhalsod at gbhalsod@illinois.edu . Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting access needs. Using Fresh Produce will be held on Oct. 18 at 1:30 p.m. Register at go.illinois.edu/4SeasonsProduce . You have grown fresh produce all summer long, now what do you do with the excess produce like onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, and more? Explore simple ways of storing produce for longer shelf life and sharing resources for get easy recipes like refrigerator pickles to make your produce go further. Deep Bark Secrets of Tree Selection will be hel

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EAST ST. LOUIS – To offer residents a secure option to discard documents with personal information, State Senator Christopher Belt is hosting an event with free shredding services in Madison. “Shredding sensitive documents is a strong way to protect yourself and your loved ones from identity fraud,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “I encourage everyone in our community to gather documents and attend this free event.” Free shredding services will be available from 10 a.m. until noon on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 320 Madison Ave. in Madison. Questions should be directed to Sen. Belt’s office by calling 618-875-1212.

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JERSEY COUNTY - Jersey County Sheriff Mike Ringhausen said today several residents have received letters saying their FOID (Firearm Owner Identification) Cards have been suspended. He said 87 people as of Thursday have reported to the Sheriff's Office that they received these letters. He questions the letters and is communicating with state officials about their validity. He said at this point, his office will not act on the letters until he is shown these are official. “The people who have come to me are legal, law-abiding citizens,” he said. A Greene County instructor had his license temporarily suspended and some in the county have received letters because of that. Those who receive a letter of this type should contact the State Police to make sure it is official and there are steps they are supposed to follow to get their FOID cards reinstated. A refresher course can be taken to receive official certification and supposedly run for about three hours. Sheriff Ringhausen

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SALEM, ORE. - Momyer Distribution Inc of Salem, Oregon is recalling Dark Chocolate Almonds because they may contain undeclared milk. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product. The product is packaged in a 9.5oz plastic container and sold in the produce section of these retail markets. The best by date is printed above the UPC bar code on a label. Product sold at Safeway/Albertsons is labeled as “PRODUCE” in large red letters and Dark Chocolate Almonds are in black text on the top label, UPC 0 19061 19371 2. Product being recalled has a Best By Date on or before 10/15/2023. Product sold at Roths Fresh Market is labeled as Holly Hill Gourmet Snacks Dark Chocolate Almonds, UPC 0 08918 23018 2. Product being recalled has a Best By Date on or before 10/21/2023. No illnesses have been reported to date. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product was distributed

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ALTON - At Wednesday’s City of Alton Council Meeting, members approved Ordinance No. 7856, which grants a special use permit to allow a utility-scale solar system array at the former Alby Street Landfill, and also approved the second reading of Ordinance No. 7851 which adopts Title 4, Chapter 24 to the City Code of Ordinances regarding adult-use cannabis business establishments. The special use permit appears to move forward negotiations with Ameresco about a plan to construct a large-scale array site at the former Alby Street Landfill. Negotiations have been going on for a long period of time for this change. A solar array is a collection of multiple solar panels that generate electricity as a system. Ameresco is a leading cleantech integrator and renewable energy asset developer, owner, and operator. Mayor David Goins said the approval of the ordinance at the council meeting for a special use permit to allow a utility-scale solar system array at the former Alby Street Landfill,

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JERSEYVILLE - Two Rivers Crime Stoppers is offering a $3,000 cash reward for help in locating a man considered armed and dangerous to get him off the streets. Two Rivers Crime Stoppers and the Jersey County Sheriff's Office say a Jerseyville man, Devin A. Krueger, 26, of the 20000 block of Tuetken Road in Jerseyville, is wanted on multiple felony warrants in Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, and Madison County. Krueger is 5'9" with brown eyes and brown hair. The Jersey County Sheriff's Office said Krueger is also wanted for questioning in multiple residential burglaries and possession of a stolen vehicle. The Jersey County Sheriff's Office said anyone helping Devon hideout may be brought in on charges of harboring a fugitive. If you know Krueger's whereabouts, Two Rivers said to call its tip hotline at 1-800-300-2590 and you can remain anonymous, or submit a tip on the Jersey County Sheriff's Office App.

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Letter To Madison County States Attorney Haine From Gov. JB Pritzker: I was disappointed to read your letter and watch your television interview defending a criminal justice status quo where accused murderers, domestic batterers, rapists, and other dangerous criminals can buy their way out of jail pending trial if they have enough money. Unfortunately, you made clear in the KDSK interview that your real concern is not about the serious offenses you falsely claim are non-detainable, but to ensure that low level defendants face punishment before they are found guilty. Your approach – seeking to deter possible future crimes by punishing individuals accused of less serious offenses before they have the opportunity to defend themselves in court – is contrary to the foundation of our justice system and based on outdated research that has been debunked. You also scoff at the notion that the cash bail system contributes to a criminal justice system that disproportionately punishes

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TROY - A GoFundMe has been established for Sue Tomlinson, who died tragically in a September 22, 2022, fire in the 500 block of Wood Thrush Street in Troy, her daughter, Courtney Tomlinson, and two granddaughters, Serenity and Zaniah Green. Michael Sloan Jr. has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and other charges in connection with Sue Tomlinson's death. Sue is also survived by her nephew Richard Housen and wife Amy Housen, and great-nephews Gabe Housen and K.C. Mize. Maddy Rudloff has organized this fundraiser. Rudloff said: "On September 22, 2022, our beloved Sue was tragically taken from us and her community by one of the most horrific fires. Not just any fire, she was intentionally murdered. This is truly a tragedy; it’s a nightmare you just can’t wake up from." Rudloff said Sue was well known and loved throughout the small Troy community. "Sue loved fishing with her granddaughters, she also loved gardening and hanging out with

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County State’s Attorney Thomas A. Haine on Wednesday sent a letter to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, saying he is willing to work with the governor to correct problems with the SAFE-T before it takes effect Jan. 1. Haine’s letter said the SAFE-T Act, which abolishes the cash bail system in Illinois, will limit the ability of his office – as well as local judges – to detain dangerous defendants prior to trial. Haine said the new law will prohibit the detention of some defendants prior to trial despite their level of threat to the community or their likelihood of being no-shows for court. “As lawyers we have a responsibility to read the Act and apply the basic tenets of statutory construction,” Haine wrote. “Once such an approach is applied, the plain language of the Act shows major problems. The discretion of judges to detain is unquestionably limited in many important cases, even where the defendant poses a demonstrable risk

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ALTON - YWCA Southwestern Illinois recognizes the importance of civic engagement. As part of YWCA USA, we know how critical it is for voters to get educated and use their voices, every day and especially on election day. In an effort to educate voters on Madison County candidates that will appear on ballots in November, YWCA Southwestern Illinois Get Out the Vote Project is hosting a Madison County Candidate’s Forum on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm in the Gymnasium at YWCA, 304 E Third Street, Alton. Masks aren’t mandatory but anyone who would like to do so is invited to wear a mask. Candidates for the following races have been invited: Illinois State Senate District 56, llinois House District 111, and for Madison County Clerk. A moderator will ask questions of each candidate pair and, time permitting, take questions from the audience. This is not a debate format. We will start at 7 p.m. The program will be broken down into three segments

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ALTON - The Friends of Mayor David Goins Mayor’s Basketball Game is to bridge generations together, young and old, and also a great way to start October at James Killion Park. The event was scheduled for 1-5 p.m. on Oct. 1 at James Killion Park. Mayor Goins said with the nice weather, the event was a perfect way to bridge the games and just have fun with the game of basketball, something he personally loves. Goins at 6-foot-7 is the perfect height for the beloved game. This is one of several ways the mayor has tried to reach both young and older adults at James Killion Park at Salu in his tenure. Tredell Jones of Alton, the President of Bridging the Gap, was part of organizing the game and said it was one big community basketball game and it was simply to try to make a nice event and help “bridge the gap of generations” with the sport of basketball at Killion Park. Jones said he loves being part of these types of events to reach area youth and adults alike. Jason

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GRAFTON - The Grafton City Council recently voted unanimously to award a $136,700 contract for sidewalk and street repairs in Grafton Hills subdivision to RCS Construction, Inc., 960 East Airline Drive, East Alton. RCS was the lowest, responsible responding bidder at the sealed bid opening that occurred at Grafton City Hall. Three companies responded to the bid package prepared by SMS Engineers, Inc. for the sidewalk and street repairs concrete project in Grafton Hills. Cas Sheppard, P.E., president of SMS Engineers, Inc. presided over the sealed bid opening with Mayor Morrow and his staff. Representatives from all three bidding companies were present. “We are excited to finally award this contract,” said Mayor Morrow. “We are looking forward to working with the RCS team to complete the work this fall.” The Grafton City Council meeting is held on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall. All council meetings are open to the public, broadcast

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BETHALTO - Ty Bechel, director of the recovery organization Amare, has done remarkable work over the years in his capacity to reach people battling addiction through strength-based, person-centered recovery-focused services. One of his favorite times of the year each year is when the Rockin’ For Recovery event is held. Once again, the recent Rockin’ For Recovery reached hundreds of people with a powerhouse musical lineup and testimonies of recovering addicts. Shaun and Mike Duo kicked off the festivities and the Hideous Gentleman also captivated the crowd. The headliner was Anthology’s Tribute to the Allman Brothers Band. Rockin’ For Recovery always brings together the community for this free event to celebrate National Recovery Month with food trucks, bounce houses for the kids provided by Gateway Bounce out of Caseyville, the R4R vendor market, and organization and resource booths for all those who attended. Bechel said the three speakers were remarkable.

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ALTON - Alton Odyssey Tours is bringing back Haunted Trolley Tours and Haunted Craft Beer Walks for the 2022 Halloween season - and for the first time in the haunted tours’ history, they will be visiting the Stratford Hotel. Each tour will make stops at several haunted Alton landmarks, including the McPike Mansion, Milton School House, and more. Trolley tours begin at the Ryder Building (which houses My Just Desserts), located at 31 E. Broadway. A trolley ride takes attendees to some of Alton’s most famous haunted attractions - this year, the first stop is the tour’s first-ever visit to the Stratford Hotel, a vacant former hotel building that was built in 1909, where an investigation will be held in the Hilltop Room. The next stop is the Milton School House, which was “the scene of a tragic murder,” according to Alton Odyssey Tours. The trolley tours’ final stop will be the McPike Mansion, a historic mansion said to be haunted by its former inhabitants

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “From Nuremberg to Ukraine: Accountability for War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity.” Durbin and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, previously introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act , legislation that updates the current war crimes statute to enable prosecution of foreign war criminals in the United States regardless of the location or targets of their atrocities. The bill also extends the statute of limitations for war crimes discovered years after they occur. “On September 14, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky walked into what can only be described as Hell on Earth. It was just days after Ukrainian forces recaptured the city of Izyum and President Zelensky wanted to assess the

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Video Of Monday Night Alton Committee of the Whole below: ALTON - Video gaming license applications were not advanced for four businesses at the City of Alton Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday night. However, they are on the agenda to be discussed Wednesday night at the City Council meeting. Also on the agenda Wednesday night is the second reading of a business ordinance regarding adult-use cannabis business establishments. It is No. 11 on the agenda for Wednesday. Four video gaming applications were introduced in a resolution to the Committee of the Whole - Heaterz, the Village Inn Pancake House, Milton Liquor and Grocery, and Farm Fresh in Fosterburg. Alton alderwoman Carolyn MacAfee requested to separate the Milton Liquor & Grocery application. MacAfee’s motion was rejected by a 4-3 vote. The video gaming licenses for Farm Fresh, Heaters, Village Inn Pancake House, and Milton Liquor & Grocery will be discussed Wednesday night. At Monday's Alton Committee of the

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Tammi Fanson’s case is an example of the importance of what’s known as door-to-balloon time. That measures the time between when a patient has first contact with a medical professional to when a balloon is placed in their heart’s arteries to get rid of blockages and resume blood flow. To say time was of the essence for Tammi Fanson on July 18, 2022, would be an understatement. The Gibson City, Illinois, woman had been dealing with high blood pressure, stress, fatigue and shortness of breath, but she chalked it up to life just being difficult. But on that day, she found herself at her local Gibson Area Hospital in the midst of a heart attack. Fanson was then taken by ambulance to OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center in Urbana, Illinois – around 40 minutes on a regular drive but half that with the blaring red lights. That, combined with the cooperation between the two hospitals, and Fanson was fast-tracked straight to the cardiac catheterization

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GLEN CARBON - Maddie Hylla, a junior libero for the Father McGivney Catholic girls volleyball team, has had a successful season thus far for the Griffins and did well in 25-18, 25-11 win over Centralia Christ Our Rock Lutheran on Sept. 27 at the McGivney gym. For the season, Hylla has served up 55 points with 24 aces, five kills, 11 assists, and 222 digs for the Griffins in helping them to a 13-7 record going into the final month of the regular season. For her efforts, Hylla has been selected as a Byron Carlson Petri and Kalb Female Athlete of the Month for the Griffins. Hylla, who plays for head coach Jake Williams, felt that the Griffins played well in their win over the Silver Stallions. "It was an easy match, but like we still fought hard, so we made it quick and easy, I guess," she said in a post-game interview. It was a big bounce-back win for McGivney after losing a two-set match at Marquette Catholic last Thursday, and the win gave the Griffins four wins in their last five

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Daughters of Isabella O'Reilly Circle 218 in Edwardsville is having a baby shower drive from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 8, at St. Boniface Church in the parking lot to benefit Mosaic and ABL. Both organizations assist in providing pregnancy resources and other assistance for mothers. The Daughters of Isabella also presented a check to Mosaic for $550. The Daughters of Isabella is considered a sister organization to the Catholic Knights of Columbus organizations. The Daughters Of Isabella group is a Catholic women’s group. The local chapter encompasses multiple churches in the Edwardsville area. Cindy Mareing from Daughters of Isabella, said the group had a guest speaker Kathy Sparks on Sept. 19 and Regent Barb Sutorius presented the check to Mosaic. The Daughters of Isabella is having a Baby Shower Drive from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 8, at St. Boniface Church in the Twin Oaks parking lot. They will be collecting for Mosaic and ABL. The Baby Shower

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