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Attorney General Raoul Urges Court To Reinstate Funding To Fair Housing Organizations

8 months ago
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today, as part of a coalition of 21 attorneys general, filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit, supporting fair housing organizations in their appeal of a ruling that lifted a temporary restraining order blocking the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from canceling these organizations’ grant funding. “The legacy of discrimination and segregation in housing continues to negatively affect the overall health of communities and limits the potential of neighborhoods throughout the United States,” Raoul said. “HUD is required to provide this funding under federal law, and it is crucial to the continued efforts to dismantle decades of discriminatory housing practices. I stand with my fellow attorneys general to oppose the Trump administration’s unlawful overreach in canceling this funding.” Congress established the Fair Housing Initiative Program (FHIP) t

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One Day One SIUE 2025: A Win for Cougars on Campus and Beyond

8 months ago
EDWARDSVILLE - The much-anticipated countdown by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, at the motor-sport themed One Day, One SIUE led to a grand slam. Surrounded by SIUE Cheer and Dance Team, Minor prepared the big reveal: “The final tally for this year’s One Day, One SIUE...5, 4, 3...” The audience joined in, "...2...1," accompanied by a drumroll by The Red Jackets Band as Minor announced, “$2,872,989!” He then cued the band, whose live jams added much fanfare to the record-breaking culmination of the fourth annual day of giving. One Day, One SIUE supports the entire SIUE community, which includes students, faculty and staff. The SIUE Foundation team credited more than 2,300 unique donors of varying amounts, which included local employers, alumni and members of the SIUE community, to steer past this year’s $2.5 million fundraising goal. Minor reflected on the road to success, led by the SIUE Foundation.

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"Move Your Organs Too!" Fitness Party to Raise Awareness of Organ Donation

8 months ago
ALTON - Community members are invited to a fitness party in honor of National Transplant Awareness Month. On Saturday, May 3, 2025, you can come out to the Catholic Children’s Home in Alton for a morning of Zumba, yoga and tai chi. Titled “Move Your Organs Too!,” the event aims to raise awareness of organ donation. “It’s important to me because I know that in a situation where you get asked if you would be willing to donate a family member’s organ, that’s hard,” said organizer Coena Royal. “But I want people to know that when they’re in that moment to have to even think like that, look at it as you’re creating a legacy. That’s what I want people to know in Transplant Awareness Month, so people understand there’s a bigger picture. Saving lives, extending lives, and also creating a legacy.” Royal is the founder of God’s RARE Jewel. She received a pancreas and a kidney in 2012. Her brother

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Illinois EPA Announces Three Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events for the Spring of 2025

8 months ago
BELLEVILLE – Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Acting Director James Jennings is announcing three upcoming Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) one-day collection locations for the Spring of 2025. These collection events are co-sponsored by units of local government and provide residents the free opportunity to safely dispose of unused or leftover hazardous products commonly found in homes. “Illinois EPA’s one-day Household Hazardous Waste collection events would not be possible without the continued support and participation from our local partners,” said Acting Director Jennings. “We are proud to continue to support this is important service and look forward to additional opportunities to bring collection events to more residents across the state, allowing them to remove and properly dispose of unused and unwanted household chemicals.” One-day collections are open to all Illinois residents and operate from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m

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Duckworth Slams VA Official for Refusing to Commit to Rehiring Veterans Crisis Line Workers Fired by Elon Musk's DOGE

8 months ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of both the U.S. Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs (SVAC) and Armed Services (SASC)—slammed a senior official from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) after he failed to publicly commit to rehiring Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) workers who were fired in Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s indiscriminate mass layoffs of federal workers. Duckworth pressed the VA official on the importance of maintaining robust mental health and suicide prevention resources for Veterans amid the Trump Administration’s ongoing cuts to the VA, which have already made it harder for Veterans to access quality health care. Video of Duckworth’s remarks can be found on her YouTube . “From the mass layoffs of federal workers, including Veterans working with the Crisis Line, to canceled contracts and continued attacks on Veterans belonging to underserved communities, Donal

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Attorney General Raoul Co-Leads Open Letter To Legal Community In Light Of Continued Attacks From The Trump Administration

8 months ago
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today co-led an open letter to the legal community, condemning actions by several of the country’s largest law firms to capitulate in the face of the Trump administration’s continued dangerous attacks on the rule of law. Some firms have even opted to strike deals to provide free legal services to support the president’s priorities. “President Trump’s unlawful threats undermine the democratic principles upon which our nation was founded,” Raoul said. “Law firms that capitulate to these threats become complicit in the administration’s continued efforts to undercut the judicial process, which depends on the rights to free speech, effective counsel and due process. I am proud to stand with the many lawyers who have shown courage in the face of these unconstitutional attacks, and I call on all of my colleagues in the legal community to join us.” Since taking office, President Trump has issue

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Missouri Senate approves budget plan with boost for schools, child care

8 months ago
The only member of the Missouri Senate who was never a public official before winning election had a scathing verdict on the budget debate he witnessed Tuesday night. “I think this is one of the worst processes I’ve ever seen and been a part of,” said state Sen. Joe Nicola, a Republican from Independence. “I think it’s broken.” Nicola spoke after watching the bitterest 20 minutes of the five-hour budget debate. Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Lincoln Hough had just finished…
Rudi Keller

Madison County: Westbound I-270 Lane Closures Begin May 2 Near Granite City  

8 months ago
GRANITE CITY – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that repairs to westbound Interstate 270 between Illinois 3 and Riverview Drive in Missouri will require lane closures starting, weather permitting, at 9 a.m. Friday, May 2. One lane will remain open. All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, May 5. 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 the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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Attorney General Raoul Files Lawsuit Challenging Dismantling Of Americorps

8 months ago
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a multistate coalition of 25 states and attorneys general, today filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s termination of AmeriCorps grants and the dismantling of the agency. Through an 85% reduction of its workforce, the Trump administration has effectively ended the agency’s ability to continue administering the programs, operations and funding that make its important work possible. “Since 1993, approximately 1.3 million Americans have patriotically served their communities through AmeriCorps, assisting veterans and children and protecting the environment,” Raoul said. “The gutting of AmeriCorps is the latest example of the Trump administration’s disregard for the Constitution to achieve their political goals. I will continue to fight back against these illegal and meritless decisions that will have real negative consequences across our country.” AmeriCorps is an

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GCHS Announces 2025 Summer Sports Camp Schedule

8 months ago
GRANITE CITY – Granite City High School has announced its 2025 Summer Camp Schedule with available camps for baseball, boys basketball, girls basketball, football, girls volleyball and softball. GCHS Camps are designed to instruct athletes on fundamental skills involved in their sport in a fun and enthusiastic atmosphere. Athletes will be divided by their grade level and skill level receiving individual instruction. These camps will be directed by the Granite City High School coaching staff along with current players from the Warrior teams. Information regarding each camp can be found in our brochure, which are available in the main office at Granite City High School. REGISTRATION: https://forms.gle/j2NduvATN1Mb8ajf8 Forms and money can be sent to: Granite City High School C/O Name of Head Coach 3148 Fehling Rd. Granite City, IL. 62040 For more information, please contact each head coach: Baseball - July 14-16 - $30 K-4th Grade:

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Alton Main Street Announces 24 Bands in the Live Music Lineup for Its 2025 Event Series

8 months ago
ALTON - Alton Main Street proudly announces the incredible lineup of regional musicians that have been booked to perform at the organization’s upcoming events. Get ready for the sounds of live music floating through the air in historic Downtown Alton! Eight weeks of live bands have been scheduled for the Night Market on Broadway, which takes place every Thursday in June and July from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. Offering a diverse mix of styles and sounds, there’s something for everyone at the 2025 Night Market which will be relocating to the green space on 3rd Street as well as taking over “Sugar Alley” which runs parallel to Broadway! Local favorite HOOKiE, which always draws a huge crowd, gets the party started on 6/5 with their familiar favorite jams, followed by acoustic folk rock from Psychedelic Symphony on 6/12. Relax to the 5-piece bluegrass/country melodies of Silver Creek Bluegrass Band on 6/19, and then on 6/26. The Wherehouse Project known for its unique style

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Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Recognizes Waterloo's Mary Anne Hopper With Heart of Gold Award

8 months ago
GLEN CARBON – Distinguished volunteer Mary Anne Hopper from Waterloo has been honored with the annual Heart of Gold Award by Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois. This prestigious award recognizes the tremendous long-term impact a volunteer has had on girls and adults in his or her community through Girl Scouts, and it is the highest award a Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois adult volunteer can earn.Mary Anne started volunteering in Girl Scouts with her daughter’s troop in the late 1980s and has dedicated incredible service ever since. She has served in numerous roles, including Troop Leader, Service Unit Manager, Product Program Manager, Day Camp Director, and so much more. In her hometown of Waterloo, her positive presence is so powerful that she’s known as simply “Head Girl Scout” to many community members. Throughout the Council, she’s inspired countless girls to pursue their highest awards as a member of the Gold Award Committee. “By focusing

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