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Durbin Speaks Against Emil Bove's Nomination During Senate Judiciary Committee Executive Business Meeting

11 months 3 weeks ago
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke against Emil Bove’s nomination to be a United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit at today’s Senate Judiciary Committee executive business meeting. During Mr. Bove’s nomination hearing yesterday, Durbin outlined how Mr. Bove, a former personal defense attorney of President Trump, is unfit to serve as a federal judge with a lifetime appointment. Durbin’s opening statement from yesterday’s hearing is available here and questions for Mr. Bove are available here . Durbin also spoke against several Trump judicial nominees who were eligible for a Committee vote today, including Whitney Hermandorfer, to be a United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit; Zachary Bluestone, to be a United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri; Joshua Divine, to be a United States District Judge for the Eastern and Western

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Duckworth Hosts Telephone Town Hall, Highlighting Negative Impacts of Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill’ on Illinois

11 months 3 weeks ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) last night hosted a telephone town hall to answer Illinois constituents’ questions and discuss how Donald Trump and Republicans’ “Big Beautiful Bill” will profoundly harm Illinoisans. In tonight’s town hall, Duckworth highlighted how Senate Republicans are currently trying to jam through this legislation—that no one has seen final text for—in order to give Trump and his billionaire buddies a massive tax cut paid for by increasing taxes on and cutting basic needs services for the most vulnerable Americans and the middle class. Photos from tonight’s telephone town hall are available on the Senator’s website. “Donald Trump’s so-called Big, Beautiful Bill throws middle class families under the bus and increases taxes on low-income families in order to fund another monstrous tax cut for Trump’s billionaire Mar-A-Lago buddies,” Duckworth said. “This

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Illinois Housing Development Authority Board Voices Concern Over Proposed U.S. Housing and Urban Development Cuts

11 months 3 weeks ago
CHICAGO – Last Friday, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Board approved a resolution objecting to any decrease in funding for rental assistance in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget that would also impact affordable housing development in Illinois and across the nation. The resolution affirms the critical importance of HUD-funded programs to Illinois residents, particularly low- and extremely low-income households, and highlights the devastating impact the proposed reductions would have on housing stability, community development, and the state’s broader economy. “Programs like rental assistance are a necessity. They are lifelines that improve health, employment, and educational outcomes for families, seniors, veterans, and people with special needs,” said IHDA Board Chair King Harris. “Illinois receives an estimated $2.6 billion annually from HUD, dramatically cutting this funding

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Free "Fireworks On the Mississippi" Comes to Alton July 3

11 months 3 weeks ago
ALTON - Community members can enjoy a free fireworks show over the Mississippi River next week. On July 3, 2025, the Alton Parks and Recreation Department and the Alton Amphitheater Commission will host “Fireworks on the Mississippi,” the annual festival and fireworks display to celebrate Independence Day. Doors open at 5 p.m. at Riverfront Park, and attendees can enjoy live music, food, and more before the fireworks launch at 9:30 p.m. “I think it’s great,” said Lyndsey Younger, Alton’s Parks and Recreation Director. “We put on these events for the community, to boost economic development, get more people to Alton to enjoy our beautiful riverfront.” Younger said they are eager to welcome DJ ChrisXmas for the first half of the evening. This set will be followed by music from the Lincoln Land Brass Band. There will be eight food vendors this year, which is more than in previous years. Younger looks forward to welcoming hundreds

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Local Therapist and Psych Nurse Weigh In on Psychiatric Medication Conversation

11 months 3 weeks ago
ALTON - With renewed conversations around mental health and psychiatric medication, a local therapist and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner are sharing their thoughts on the benefits and downsides to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), ADHD meds, and other medications. Beth Ahlin, LCPC, and owner of CE Ahlin Counseling, shared that her “holistic approach” includes medication at times, but she ultimately encourages clients to consider their options with a physician. Oyindamola Aluko, PMHNP, with Centerstone, acts as a prescriber and sees many clients who take medication; she noted that while side effects can be difficult to manage, many of her clients report good outcomes. “Therapy with medication is good most of the time because when are in therapy, now they have more insights on how to get their medication and to take it as prescribed. And also, when they are stabilized on their medication, then they can attempt therapy,” Aluko

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East Alton Police Charge Alton Man With Armed Robbery

11 months 3 weeks ago
ALTON – An Alton man accused of threatening a Dollar General worker with a knife after stealing from the store faces his latest in a long history of felonies. Curtis S. McTizic, 57, of Alton, was charged on June 23, 2025 with a Class X felony count of armed robbery. On June 21, 2025, McTizic allegedly stole various items from Dollar General and threatened the use of force against the victim while armed with a knife. A petition to deny McTizic’s pretrial release from custody, filed by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office, states he was confronted by a Dollar General employee after stealing various items from the store. “When defendant was confronted by an employee of the store, he pulled a knife from his backpack, pointed it at the employee, and stated, ‘I'm going to kill you,’” the petition states. “Defendant then exited the store with various items from the store. Defendant was located nearby and admitted to being present

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YWCA Roxana Summer Camp Now Enrolling - 10 Weeks of Nonstop Fun

11 months 3 weeks ago
ROXANA – Looking for a summer packed with imagination, discovery, and big fun? YWCA Southwestern Illinois is currently accepting enrollment packages for our Roxana Summer Camp location—and spots are filling fast! Running from June 2 through August 8, this 10-week adventure offers full-day programming Monday through Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM, with awesome themed activities happening from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Each two-week theme invites campers to explore new worlds through exciting, hands-on experiences: Weeks 1–2: Space Explorers Weeks 3–4: Dino Mania Weeks 5–6: Artistry Adventures Weeks 7–8: STEM-tastic Weeks 9–10: Around the World in 10 Days Campers will dive into daily STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) activities, build emotional skills through Social Emotional Learning, and meet some incredible guests and community partners, including: RiverBend Astronomy Club SIUE STEM Center Planetarium Dance with Mr.

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Free "Rockin' With Robert" Concerts Draw Record Crowds This Summer

11 months 3 weeks ago
ALTON - With three weeks left, the annual Rockin’ With Robert concerts have been a big success so far this year. The Upper Alton Association hosts a free concert from 6–8 p.m. every Tuesday for six weeks in the summer at the Robert Wadlow statue in Upper Alton. They have three more concerts scheduled this year and can’t wait to welcome back their record-breaking audiences. “It’s been great,” said Debbie Frakes, one of the organizers. “We’ve had probably the biggest crowds that the Rockin’ With Robert concerts have had. The crowd has been amazing.” Frakes said they’ve entertained 150–200 people every week this summer. She is excited to round out the series with three great bands, starting with Flip the Frog on July 1, 2025. This will be followed by No. 4 Combo on July 8. Porch Cafe, originally scheduled for June 24, will take the stage on July 15 after the June 24 concert was canceled due to heat. This

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