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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced today that he has made more than $5 billion in investment earnings from the state portfolio during his time in office. With one month to go in the state’s Fiscal Year 2025, investment earnings are up 6.07% over the same 11 months in Fiscal Year 2024. “Every dollar we earn in interest for the people of Illinois is a dollar that lawmakers don’t have to raise in taxes,” Frerichs said. “We are trying to maximize earnings for our state at a time when the Trump administration is looking to strip away health care for working families to give billionaires a tax cut.” Treasurer Frerichs also has surpassed $3 billion in gross investment earnings for cities, villages, school districts, counties and other units of government that take part in the highly rated Illinois Funds local government investment pool the State Treasurer’s Office operates. The Illinois Funds has received the highest rating

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today co-led a coalition of 22 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief urging the court not to approve an agreement that would threaten the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program administered under U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. The DBE Program, created by Congress in 1983 under President Reagan, tasks states with overseeing the administration of major federally funded transportation and infrastructure projects. It also ensures that contracts are awarded in a fair and nondiscriminatory way and has given minority and women-owned small businesses the ability to compete for major infrastructure projects across the country. “For 42 years, the DBE program has helped level the playing field for minority and women-owned businesses in maintaining and expanding America’s transportation infrastructure,” Raoul said. “I will continue to stand with my fellow attorneys general and others who

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As a heat advisory continues for the St. Louis region, the NWS recommends postponing outdoor activities during the heat of the day, staying hydrated, and taking frequent breaks in the shade or indoors.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “The Thin Blue Line Protecting America from the Cartels.” Durbin first questioned the witnesses on whether or not they agree that firearms flowing to the Mexican cartels from the United States is a problem. “I would like to read something and see if any of you disagree with this: Cartels have flooded the nation with illegal firearms sold by U.S. gun manufacturers in Mexico. The Mexican government estimated that around 200,000 U.S. sourced firearms are smuggled into Mexico annually. Do you disagree with that?” Durbin asked The witnesses including Jose Perez, Assistant Director of the Criminal Investigative Division at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Matt Allen, Special Agent in Charge of the Los Angeles Field Division at the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA); and

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Isaiah Dumas, 17, was charged Tuesday with killing a man during a gun sale late last year.

Daniel Yavitz, 39, was charged with three felony counts of statutory sodomy of a child.

WOOD RIVER/GODFREY – Two cases of battery filed last week in Madison County involve a Godfrey resident and a repeat domestic battery offender from Wood River. Willie C. Rounds, 66, of Wood River, was charged on June 20, 2025 with his second or subsequent offense of domestic battery, a Class 4 felony. Rounds allegedly caused bodily harm to a family or household member on June 20, 2025. He reportedly struck the victim with closed fists and kicked them about the head and body. The state’s petition to deny his pretrial release states the altercation unfolded “in the street” before a neighbor witnessed the attack and called police. “This defendant is already on probation for stabbing this same victim,” the petition states of Rounds. “He is also on conditions of release … for again battering the same victim. He has not appeared for court in either case, and is a flight risk.” Rounds had previously been convicted of domestic battery

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GRAFTON – A Grafton ice cream shop’s plans to expand their menu with alcohol-infused items are on hold for now after a lengthy debate at last week’s City Council meeting. Grafton City Council members voted last week to table an ordinance which would raise the number of Class A liquor licenses in the city from 17 to 18. Ella Mayberry, co-owner of Gogo-May’s Sundae Scoop in Grafton, made her case to the council and emphasized the liquor license would not turn the ice cream shop into a bar or cocktail lounge. She said it would allow them to add “a curated selection of alcohol treats” to their menu, such as “boozy snow cones, adult refreshers, and infused ice cream treats,” which have been highly requested by their customers. “This isn’t about changing who we are – this is about becoming more of what Grafton needs,” Mayberry said. “Here’s the truth: small businesses are struggling. Even the busiest

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COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville Police Department is hosting a fundraiser this Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at Uptown Scoops to support the Cops & Kids Christmas program. From 5 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, a portion of every purchase made at Uptown Scoops, located at 403 West Main Street, will go toward providing children in need within the Collinsville Unit 10 School District with holiday gifts they can select themselves. The initiative aims to ensure a memorable Christmas season for local students facing economic challenges. Organizers encourage community members to participate and help spread the word about the event.

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Board approved awards totaling $24 million in federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and an additional $39 million in federal and state subordinate resources that will finance the creation and preservation of 16 affordable housing developments in 11 counties throughout Illinois. The LIHTC awards are expected to generate an estimated $180 million in private capital to support the development of 850 affordable homes for low- to moderate-income families, seniors, and veterans. “Every Illinoisan – present and future – deserves a safe and affordable place to call home,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “By leveraging the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to spur millions in private development, we’re offering real housing solutions for working families, seniors, and veterans while creating jobs in construction and revitalizing communities up and down the state.” The 16 approved development

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Support us on Patreon » This week, we’ve got a cross-post episode of Mike’s appearance on Kevin Williamson’s How The World Works podcast. Kevin conducted a wide-ranging interview that covers some of the earliest days of Techdirt, the blog’s evolution, and many of the important topics we cover today — and you can listen to the […]

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) are reminding organizations and individuals sponsoring fireworks displays to keep safety top of mind and to be sure their vendors have the required state licenses and certificates before their fireworks shows. The Illinois Explosives Act requires that anyone who purchases, possesses, uses, transfers, stores or disposes of explosives, including display fireworks, must have an explosives license and explosives storage certificate issued by the IDNR. Licensing and storage requirements administered by the IDNR do not apply to consumer fireworks (classified as 1.4 explosives). Approved consumer fireworks are regulated by the OSFM and are permitted only in villages, counties and municipalities that have passed ordinances allowing such displays. Consumer fireworks may be purchased and displayed only by adults who have obtained permits from their local jurisdiction.

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CHICAGO – An Illinois iLottery player is starting off the week $800,000 richer after scoring a Lucky Day Lotto jackpot prize over the weekend. The winning online player matched all five numbers in the Sunday, June 22 midday Lucky Day Lotto drawing to score the $800,000 jackpot prize. The winning numbers were: 15-22-28-36-38. There were over 17,500 winning tickets sold on Sunday, June 22 for the Lucky Day Lotto game. Lucky Day Lotto is an Illinois-only game with twice daily drawings at 12:40 p.m. and 9:22 p.m. Tickets for the game can be purchased in-store, online, or on the Illinois Lottery app. For more information or to buy tickets online, please visit IllinoisLottery.com . Lucky Day Lotto b-roll, produced by the Illinois Lottery, is available for the media; download here . As the Lucky Day Lotto jackpot continues to grow, the Illinois Lottery encourages players to remember it’s a game of chance. For more information about the odds of winning, visit the Lucky

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The woman was found by her son in the apartment they shared

COLLINSVILLE - As the heat wave intensifies, a local nonprofit is looking for donations to help unhoused community members stay cool. Making A Difference is based out of Collinsville but serves people across the Greater St. Louis region. They are currently running low on water and need donations in order to supply water to unhoused neighbors. “We run 100% on donations. We’re 100% volunteer,” explained Jerry Price, who oversees the organization alongside his wife. “We’re just trying to help people. That’s our goal.” Twice a month, Price and his wife cook a meal and drive around the Greater St. Louis and Metro East regions to deliver the food to unhoused community members. They also have a community outreach based out of Caseyville Methodist Church where they store diapers, toys, household items, groceries, period products, pet food and more for those in need. This weekend, Price and his team will once again hit the streets to deliver

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ST. LOUIS - Summer has arrived, bringing hot weather with it. What better way to cool off than by enjoying some delicious ice cream with friends, especially during National Ice Cream Month. Thanks to President Ronald Reagan’s love for ice cream, the United States has recognized National Ice Cream Month every July since 1984. Long before 1984 though, Americans have been celebrating events with ice cream. Since the late 1800s, ice cream socials have provided opportunities for communities to gather, oftentimes to promote a good cause. This July, host your own ice cream social to bring friends and family together. Spending time with others while enjoying a favorite treat is a great way to reconnect and build a sense of well-being. “Ice cream is one of those universally liked foods that is often associated with good memories and nostalgia,” said Maggie Nosic, nutrition educator and registered dietitian with St. Louis District Dairy Council. “Building a summer social

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Police are investigating after finding an adult man dead Tuesday morning near the Martin Luther King Bridge.

VENICE – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that the McKinley Bridge from Bremen Street in Venice to 9th Street in St. Louis, MO., will be fully closed, weather permitting, from 9 p.m. Friday, June 27, 2025, until 5 a.m. Monday, June 30, 2025, for bridge deck sealing. The bridge is expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, June 30, 2025. Motorists must use an alternate route during this time. 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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