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Durbin Announces Resolution To Support Critical Work At NIH As Elon Musk, President Trump Continue To Slash Funding

10 months 3 weeks ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, in a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) asked for unanimous consent (UC) to pass a resolution he introduced with U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), as well as 21 other Senators, that would pledge support for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as President Trump and Elon Musk continue to illegally cut funding and resources at NIH. The resolution simply says that the work of NIH should not be subject to interruption, delay, or funding disruptions in violation of the law, and it reaffirms that the NIH workforce is essential to sustaining medical progress. U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) rejected Durbin’s UC request. “All the progress we have made , all the progress we hope to make is in danger because of Donald Trump and Elon Musk. That’s right—these two men promised to bring down the price of eggs, gasoline, and make housing more affordable. None of that ha

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Budzinski Announces Legislation to Restore Retirement Benefits for Federal Employees

10 months 3 weeks ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Congressman David Valadao (CA-22), Congressman Gerry Connolly (VA-11), and Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02) announced the reintroduction of the Federal Retirement Fairness Act, bipartisan legislation to address a gap for federal employees who began their careers as temporary workers and were thus unable to make retirement contributions. The Federal Retirement Fairness Act will allow these workers to make catch-up contributions to ensure they can retire as planned. In the absence of this provision, many face an unfair choice: exit the federal service without complete retirement benefits or delay retirement to achieve full benefits. “Federal workers keep America running and these dedicated public servants deserve to retire with dignity,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “However, many federal workers – like postal employees – got their start in “non-career” roles that do not count

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Illinois Student Assistance Commission and Kaplan Announce Free Test Prep Courses

10 months 3 weeks ago
CHICAGO - The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the state’s college access and financial aid agency, has contracted leading global education company Kaplan to provide free test preparation courses to all students enrolled in Illinois’ public universities. Five Illinois community colleges are also included as part of a pilot program. Students at these institutions will have free access to Kaplan’s best-in-class preparation for professional licensing exams, graduate-level admissions exams, and credential exams, including comprehensive prep for the GRE®, GMAT®, LSAT®, MCAT®, NCLEX-RN®, USMLE®, Illinois State bar exam, real estate and securities exams, and more. They will also have access to a suite of professional and academic skills development courses from Kaplan. “Providing free test and licensing preparation courses for students is an important measure to help remove some of the financial barriers students face in advancing

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Alton Candidates Talk Issues at "Coffee with Candidates" Meet-and-Greet

10 months 3 weeks ago
ALTON - Community members came out to the YWCA to speak one-on-one with Alton’s candidates ahead of the April 1, 2025, consolidated election. On Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, the YWCA and National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) hosted a Coffee with Candidates event that allowed community members to meet Alton’s mayoral, aldermanic, City Clerk and treasurer candidates. Attendees could chat with the candidates about their platforms and ask specific questions about issues affecting them. “We definitely want everybody to vote, but we want you to be educated,” explained Tanjela Johnson, president of NCNW. “We know a lot of people will hear Republican, Democrat, Independent, but we want you to be educated on what each candidate is standing for, what you’re voting for…We want you to be able to have conversations. Rather than being a debate, have conversations with the people that are running. Have those personal conversations and let the citizens ge

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St. Clair County: Lane Closures on Eastbound I-55/64 Across the Poplar Street Bridge Begin February 27  

10 months 3 weeks ago
EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced lane restrictions will be encountered on Thursday, February 27 on the eastbound I-55/64 Poplar Street Bridge in East St. Louis, weather permitting. The eastbound center lane will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to repair the center attenuator. IDOT District 8 Operations crews will make the needed improvements and restore full access as soon as possible. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment. 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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Kirkwood Adds $5M Ice Rink Work to Community Center Project

10 months 3 weeks ago
The City of Kirkwood last week approved a $5 million contract with Integrate Construction Partners for major renovations to the Kirkwood Community Center ice rink. The ice rink seats 311 people and gets around 100,000 visitors in a year for public skating, hockey games, figure skating and other activities. NAVIGATE Building Solutions is managing the […]
Rachel Finan

Collinsville Advocate John Proffitt Completes 17th Plunge for Special Olympics Support

10 months 3 weeks ago
COLLINSVILLE — John Proffitt, a long-time advocate for Special Olympics, made his 17th plunge into Carlyle Lake on Saturday, February 22, 2025. Proffitt, who serves as the Crime Free Multi-Housing Coordinator for the Collinsville Police Department, has dedicated much of his life to public service, particularly in support of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Proffitt’s involvement with Special Olympics extends beyond the annual plunges. He has held various roles within the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run, including serving as a State Committee Member representing Leg 4/Region J, which encompasses the Metro East area. His commitment to the organization has been recognized through multiple awards, including the Flame of Hope Award in 2016 and the title of Leg 4 Officer of the Year in 2019. "John does not do any of this for the awards and recognition," a representative from the Collinsville Police Department said. "He is a man truly deserving of

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1st MidAmerica Credit Union Announces Teacher Grants For Granite City School District #9

10 months 3 weeks ago
GRANITE CITY – 1st MidAmerica Credit Union announced its nine recipients of the Granite City Community Unit School District #9 Teacher Grants for the 2024 Fall Semester at the February 25 GCSD9 School Board Meeting. 1st MidAmerica Credit Union President/CEO Alan Meyer, Chief Experience Officer Amber Scott and Business Development Representative Martha Morse presented each honoree with a $250 grant. Below is a list of the nine honorees and how the $250 grant will be used: Allison Downing - Mitchell 3rd & 4th Grade • Bi-Lingual education tablets and portable translator device for non-English speaking students Jessica Farris - Prather Kindergarten • S.T.E.M. Kits Tiffany Kahn - Mitchell 3rd Grade • Chromebook Charging Station Kay Lanfersieck - Prather Kindergarten • Sensory Bins for Special Education classes Patrick McBride - Mitchell 3rd Grade • Chromebook Charging Station and extra chargers Tracy Noud - Frohardt/Mitchell

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