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Collinsville Firefighters Enhance Skills With Advanced Ventilation Training

Riverbender 🕸
4 months 3 weeks ago
COLLINSVILLE — Firefighters and paramedics from the Collinsville Fire Department, along with personnel from neighboring departments, completed ventilation training recently at Collinsville Fire Station One. The training was conducted by the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) and focused on the techniques and considerations involved in ventilation during firefighting operations. The ventilation class covered the reasons for and the advantages and disadvantages of different types of ventilation in relation to building construction and firefighting procedures. Participants reviewed fire behavior as it relates to building construction, fuel load, and occupancy type, emphasizing its role in tactical priorities. According to IFSI, the training included an overview of various window types — from jalousie to double hung — and roof styles such as gambrel and four-to-twelve pitch, all of which impact ventilation strategies. The course also addressed the recognition of

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Attorney General Raoul Files Lawsuit Against Trump Administration, Reminds Illinoisans Forced Reset Triggers Are Banned In Illinois

Riverbender 🕸
4 months 3 weeks ago
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 16 attorneys general, today filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s decision to not enforce federal law prohibiting the distribution and possession of forced reset triggers (FRTs) and to redistribute thousands of those devices across the country. Raoul is also reminding Illinoisans that FRTs, which are devices that turn semi-automatic firearms into machine guns, remain illegal under Illinois law. “The Trump administration’s decision to redistribute devices that convert firearms into machine guns is extreme and would have a devastating effect on the safety of communities across our country. Federal law bans these devices, and this settlement does not change the law,” Raoul said. “Illinois law is also clear: Forced reset triggers are unlawful. I will continue to enforce the ban on forced reset triggers under Illinois law, and I will advocate against any policy that will

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2025 Conservation Achievement Scholarship recipients announced by Illinois Conservation Foundation

Riverbender 🕸
4 months 3 weeks ago
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Conservation Foundation (ICF) is proud to announce the 2025 recipients of the Conservation Achievement Scholarship, honoring high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding voluntary dedication to the preservation, protection, enhancement and promotion of Illinois’ natural resources. “These young leaders are the future of conservation in Illinois,” said Natalie Phelps Finnie, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director and ICF board chair. “Their passion, initiative, and long-term commitment to protecting the outdoors inspire us all. We are also deeply grateful to the generous donors who make these scholarships possible.” Each winner receives a $2,000 scholarship to support their continued studies and conservation efforts. This year’s honorees represent a broad range of environmental service, leadership and community impact. The 2025 Conservation Achievement Scholarship recipients: M

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Budzinski Introduces Bill to Address Veterans Health Administration Staffing Shortages

Riverbender 🕸
4 months 3 weeks ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Congressman Abe Hamadeh (AZ-08) introduced the bipartisan Health Professionals Scholarship Program Improvement Act. This legislation would address staffing shortages at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) by streamlining the pathway for participants in VA’s Health Professionals Scholarship Program (HPSP) to begin in full-time roles at VHA. "VA’s Health Professionals Scholarship Program supports students pursuing healthcare careers while connecting VA with talented staff, but there is room for improvement. As HPSP participants graduate – eager to begin careers at VA – they often face delays in receiving a contract. With the Veterans Health Administration already experiencing staffing shortages, we need solutions to address this inefficiency,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “The bipartisan Health Professionals Scholarship Program Improvement Act would streamline the path

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Durbin On Republicans' Reconciliation Bill: It’s A Big, Beautiful Betrayal Against American Families

Riverbender 🕸
4 months 3 weeks ago
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke on the Senate floor, making clear that Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act will only raise prices and slash Medicaid and Medicare coverage for working Americans in order to pay for significant tax breaks for billionaires. Durbin reiterated in his remarks that the legislation will harm Americans as the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released an estimate showing that 16 million Americans will lose their health insurance under the Republicans’ reconciliation bill. “They are considering a tax bill that will eliminate health insurance coverage for 16 million Americans. More people and families will lose health insurance coverage by virtue of this ‘big, beautiful bill’ than any legislation we passed in modern memory,” Durbin began. Durbin explained how unpopular it would be to cut health insurance coverage for Americans, which has prompted a small number of Republicans

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Attorney General Raoul Charges Belleville Man Over Alleged Dissemination Of Child Sexual Abuse Material

Riverbender 🕸
4 months 3 weeks ago
BELLEVILLE – Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a Belleville, Illinois man for allegedly disseminating child sexual abuse material and disseminating private sexual images of an adult without consent. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. The Attorney General’s office charged Owen Corder, 22, in St. Clair County Circuit Court with eight counts of Class X felony dissemination of child pornography, each punishable by up to 30 years in prison, and two counts of Class 4 felony non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images, each punishable by up to three years in prison. Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. Corder is currently detained at the St. Clair County Jail. “Survivors of child exploitation and their families can face life-long trauma, and

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