a Better Bubble™

Aggregator

After Sec. Noem's Springfield Visit, Davidsmeyer Again Calls for End of Illinois’ Failed Sanctuary Policy

6 months ago
SPRINGFIELD – Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited Springfield on Wednesday to highlight how sanctuary policies in Illinois have unleashed violence on American citizens — including rape, sexual assault, murder, shoplifting, and more — while shielding the illegal aliens responsible from facing consequence. State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) is sponsoring legislation (HB 1317) to repeal the Illinois TRUST Act, a misguided law that prohibits law enforcement agencies from working with federal authorities to detain and deport illegal immigrants. Davidsmeyer’s bill would end Illinois’ failed sanctuary state policy. Representative Davidsmeyer issued the following statement in response to Sec. Noem’s visit: “I want to thank Secretary Noem and President Trump for their leadership on illegal immigration and for securing our southern border. “The flood of illegal immigrants into Illinois under Biden’s Open Border Policy

Continue Reading

Gov. Pritzker Issues Executive Order to Safeguard Rights of Autistic Illinoisans

6 months ago
SPRINGFIELD- Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed Executive Order 2025-02, affirming Illinois’ commitment to the civil rights, human rights, and data privacy of autistic residents. The order protects individuals from unauthorized data collection and sharing by state agencies and ensures that autism-related information is handled only when necessary and with informed consent. The order comes in response to rising national concerns about efforts to create federal autism registries or databases without clear legal safeguards or accountability. “Every Illinoisan deserves dignity, privacy, and the freedom to live without fear of surveillance or discrimination,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “As Donald Trump and DOGE threaten these freedoms, we are taking steps to ensure that our state remains a leader in protecting the rights of individuals with autism and all people with disabilities.” “We are rejecting stigma and standing with families, educators, and

Continue Reading

When alternative facts become the only facts

6 months ago

The Trump administration’s hostility to First Amendment rights extends beyond the press to nonprofit organizations, museums, colleges, and anyone else who might question his infallibility.

But his targeting of the press is a key component of the administration’s effort to appoint itself the country’s sole arbiter of truth. Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) Advocacy Direction Seth Stern writes for the Daily Beast that in Trump’s view, “inconvenient truths and malicious lies are equally troublesome. They must be met with equal force.”

Stern urged journalists and others who value press freedom to treat these attacks not as passing storms but as existential threats.

Read Stern’s article here.

Freedom of the Press Foundation

Community-Owned Networks Offering Locals Dirt Cheap Broadband After Republicans Dismantle Federal Low Income Program

6 months ago
Last year Trumplicans killed a popular program that provided poor people with $30 off of their monthly broadband bill. The FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) was, unsurprisingly, very popular, with more than 23 million Americans benefitting at its peak. At the time, the GOP claimed they were simply looking to save money. The real reason the program was killed, […]
Karl Bode

CDA 2020–2024 Impact Report

6 months ago
First of its kind report highlights five years of CDA-funded agencies, nonprofits, and homebuilders working to strengthen neighborhoods and families.
Community Development Administration

Wood River Looks To Sell Business Park For Development

6 months ago
WOOD RIVER – The Wood River City Council has taken the first steps to sell the Wood River Business Park, formerly known as the Envirotech Business Park, to a new owner for further development. Council members on Monday approved an ordinance to declare the 105-acre site of undeveloped land along Enviro Way in Wood River “surplus” property and authorize its sale to a new owner. “In the opinion of this City Council, the Wood River Business Park is no longer necessary, appropriate, required for the use of, profitable to, or for the best interests of the City to retain, and should be declared surplus and sold,” the ordinance states. Also passed was a related resolution authorizing a request for proposals (or RFP) for the property. The city is seeking proposals from qualified developers for plans to redevelop the vacant land, which it claims has many advantages for interested developers. “The Property is strategically located near major highways,

Continue Reading

Missouri bill exempting capital gains from income tax sent to governor

6 months ago
Missouri House Republicans muscled their biggest tax-cut priority of the year across the finish line on Wednesday, sending a bill exempting capital gains from income tax to Gov. Mike Kehoe. No Democrats supported the bill, although 10 did vote “present” to show they supported provisions of the legislation other than the exemption on profits from the sale of property or investments held more than a year. The bill applies to income received this calendar year, so it has a bigger bite into state…
Rudi Keller

Collinsville Police Arrest Man On Grooming, Child Sexual Exploitation Charges

6 months ago
COLLINSVILLE - On May 5, 2025, detectives with the Collinsville Police Department presented their investigation and evidence to the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office. After reviewing the case, the following charges were issued: Matthew S. Cuppett, 33, of Collinsville, is charged with one Class 4 felony count of Grooming, two Class 4 felony counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child and two Class A Misdemeanor counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child. The charges allege that, between July 19, 2024, and February 21, 2025, the defendant knowingly performed sexual acts in the presence of a minor. The case was investigated by the Collinsville Police Department via a Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) report. Cuppett remains in custody at the Madison County Jail pending a detention hearing and further court process. These charges and the statements made herein are based upon probable cause. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Continue Reading

Mississippi River Festival Plans for Two-Day Lineup This June

6 months ago
ALTON - The Mississippi River Festival is coming up quickly, and organizer Nick Bifano couldn’t be more excited. From June 27 to June 28, 2025, Riverbend residents are invited to the Alton Amphitheater for the second annual MRF. The MRF, which was revived by Bifano and his co-organizer Zack Johnson in 2024, will pay tribute to the original festival of the 1970s while welcoming new music and guests to Alton. “I think you’re going to have your musical socks knocked off,” Bifano said. “It’s incredible. There’s not a weak moment in the lineup.” On Friday, June 27, Ben Rector headlines, supported by Wilder Woods, Allen Stone, Brian Owens Soul, and Beth Bombara. On Saturday, June 28, attendees can enjoy Blackberry Smoke, Drew Halcomb & the Neighbors, Nikki Lane, Brent Cobb, Kassi Ashton, Jeremie Albino, Zach Person, and Riley Holtz & the Lost Cause. Bifano noted that most of the names in the lineup are up-and-coming. He believes

Continue Reading