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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Dr. Jay Gambetta, Vice President of IBM Quantum, to discuss Illinois’ position as a leader in quantum computing. During their meeting, Durbin received an update on IBM’s plans to join the Illinois Quantum Microelectronics Park (IQMP) on the South Side of Chicago. IBM plans to build a commercial quantum computer at the park and train the needed quantum workforce through the National Quantum Algorithms Center. Illinois has invested $500 million to scale-up quantum computing and microelectronics research and development (R&D) by attracting companies, researchers, suppliers, and users to IQMP. The quantum park is currently anchored by PsiQuantum, with plans for the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency to join the site soon. Durbin and Dr. Gambetta also strategized about a path forward for Durbin’s bipartisan Department of Energy (DOE) Quantum Leadership Act . The legislation, whic

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with members of the Illinois Municipal Electric/Utilities Association (IMEA/IMUA) to discuss clean energy tax credits and addressing the supply chain issues that have led to a shortage of transformers, which are an essential component of electrical infrastructure that adjusts the voltage of currents moving through electrical wires. Due to a sluggish supply chain, building sectors and utilities are grappling with an unprecedented shortage of transformers. Consequently, there have been significant delays on a number of clean energy projects and reconstruction efforts following the 176 tornadoes that struck Illinois last year. The shortage has also harmed the country’s ability to upgrade the electric grid to accommodate increased demand for electric vehicles and other clean energy technologies. They also discussed the importance of preserving the clean energy tax credits Democrats created in the Inflation

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ALTON – The Alton Police Department is investigating a shooting incident that occurred at 6:42 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in the 1200 block of Central Avenue. The department received multiple calls reporting gunfire as an Alton School District bus was dropping off night school students in the area. Preliminary reports indicate that as a student exited the bus, multiple individuals began shooting in the direction of the student. Fortunately, neither the bus nor any individuals were struck by the gunfire. The bus driver responded quickly, moving to a safe location and following established safety protocols to protect the remaining students on board. Evidence was collected at the scene, and the investigation is ongoing. Authorities have determined that the shooting was not a random act, with indications that the suspects specifically targeted the individual involved. The police have stated that there is no ongoing threat to the general public. Alton Police Chief Jarrett

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today introduced the Securing Our Lands And Resources (SOLAR) Act. This legislation establishes guidelines for solar panel projects on prime and unique farmland funded by the United States Department of Agriculture. It ensures rural communities have a say in the approval process for solar panel projects, while still providing farmers flexibility to utilize their land for renewable energy projects. “We are losing precious and productive farmland that is being gobbled up, acre after acre,” said Bost. "That has a big impact on America's agricultural supply chain, our food security, and our Southern Illinois economies. The worst part is, many local communities aren't allowed to have a say in what land is designated for solar projects. My legislation puts the power back into the hands of the people by allowing them to determine what's best for their area, not bureaucrats in Springfield." The SOLAR Act will require

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A little-known quirk of Missouri’s sales tax law means that retailers charge a higher rate for a hot dog purchased off a roller than for a cold sandwich. Both are meant for immediate consumption. But the cold sandwich can be purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, better known as food stamps, while the hot dog can’t. So the tax on the hot dog is 3% more. On Wednesday, a bill to exempt eligible food from all sales tax drew bipartisan praise for the sponsor…

Today, the Illinois State Senate confirmed Doug Scott as Chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Scott was reappointed to a five-year term by Governor JB Pritzker in January 2024 after serving out the remainder of former Chairman Carrie Zalewski’s term. “States are at the forefront of keeping the country’s clean energy ambitions apace. Three years ago, the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) charted Illinois’ path to a 100 percent clean energy economy, and in the years to come, the ICC will continue to play a critical role in steering Illinois toward its decarbonization goals,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “As a regulator, Doug Scott understands the importance of balancing reliability, safety, and affordability alongside these goals. Illinois is fortunate to have Chairman Scott at the helm of the ICC.” “I’m grateful to Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Senate for their continued support of my leadership at the ICC.

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Public performances of “But What Can You Do?” are scheduled for the final week of March.

ALTON – A public meeting to discuss a potential permanent flood wall in downtown Alton will be held in the Alton City Council chambers at City Hall at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. The wall, expected to be approximately 1,050 feet long and up to 5 feet tall, would run along the north end of Broadway from William Street to Piasa Street. The city is seeking public input on the project before it proceeds to the City Council for consideration and approval. The invitation from the city reads as follows: “The City of Alton cordially invites the public to an open house meeting on the planned flood mitigation improvements within the downtown district. The purpose of the open house is to provide citizens with updated information regarding the project scope and proposed timeline.” The flood wall project aims to protect buildings in the city’s downtown business district and industrial corridor. The area includes 45 buildings, 23 residential units, about 25 businesses,

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The city's police department was under state control for 150 years

ALTON - The YWCA’s school board candidate forum has been rescheduled. The forum, previously scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, has been postponed due to the Alton High School girls basketball game. The forum will now be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 10, 2025, at the YWCA in Alton. Hosted by the YWCA and the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), the forum invites the community to hear from all of the Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education candidates ahead of the April 1, 2025, consolidated election. “YWCA and NCNW are thrilled with the Alton High School Girls Basketball success and do not want to miss tonight's basketball game,” the YWCA and NCNW said in a statement. “To be true to our Redbirds, we have cancelled tonight's Alton School Board Forum and have postponed the date to Monday, March 10 at 7 p.m.” There are four ACUSD11 Board of Education seats up for grabs. Current Board members Christina Milien, Tiana Gipso

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Phillip Barnes, 44, was ordered on Wednesday to be held without bond until trial in the fatal shooting of Frank Bell Jr.

The Alton Police Department says multiple suspects opened fire on a student shortly after they stepped off a school bus in a targeted attack.

In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the completion of the iconic Eads Bridge, Eads Bridge at 150 examines the complexities of its design, its construction, and the role it has played since it opened […]

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Ghost Army: The Combat Con Artists of World War II explores the story of the US Army’s 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, a top-secret unit who waged war with inflatable tanks […]

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The 1904 World’s Fair was a fascinating yet complex event that continues to evoke a range of emotions. It was grand and shameful. It was full of fun and full […]

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LGBTQIA+ people have been part of St. Louis from the beginning. But until recently, their lives, struggles, and contributions have often been overlooked. In Gateway to Pride, the Missouri History Museum […]

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Presented by the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum, The Artist Who Captured Eichmann is a captivating temporary exhibition that tells the exciting exploits of Peter Malkin, a Mossad agent […]

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With a focus on Britain, Italy and the U.S., Bolts of Color highlights the Saint Louis Art Museum’s recent acquisitions of post-WWII textiles, all made during the height of the […]

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