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Millstadt Rep. Schmidt's Bill Creates the Veterans Day Paid Leave Act

1 year 3 months ago
SPRINGFIELD - State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) filed legislation to expand recognition to Illinois veterans. House Bill 1421 creates the Veterans Day Paid Leave Act and requires employers to provide each employee who is a veteran with a paid day off on Veterans Day. Rep. Schmidt respects the men and women who have served our country and says his bill is one small way we can tell our veterans thank you. “We owe our veterans a debt of gratitude for the sacrifices they made to protect the freedoms we all enjoy today,” Rep. Schmidt stated. “My bill is pretty straight forward and would award employees, who provide documents verifying they are a veteran, a paid day off work to celebrate Veterans Day, plus this bill creates an income tax credit to employers who provide a paid day off to their veteran employees.” Representative Schmidt filed HB1421 to further acknowledge our veterans’ commitment to serving our country. The State of Illinois

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Swansea Firefighter's Legacy Lives On Through Community Support

1 year 3 months ago
SPRINGFIELD — The Swansea Police Department, along with community leaders and family members of Brett Korves, gathered at the Illinois State Capitol recently to honor Korves' legacy through a resolution presented by Representatives Jay Hoffman and Katie Stuart. The resolution acknowledges both Korves' life and the work of Brett’s First Responders, an organization established in his memory. Brett Korves, a third-generation firefighter with the Swansea Fire Department, died on April 4, 2019. He was recognized for his contributions to the department, including being named Firefighter of the Year in 2012. He was also known for his accomplishments in dirt track racing and his involvement in community events. Brett’s First Responders provides emotional and financial support to injured and fallen first responders and their families. The organization aims to assist those facing challenges due to injuries or loss within the first responder community. "Thank you to Brett’s

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PERSPECTIVE: “Did Earn It.”

1 year 3 months ago
by Tom Finan, Executive Director and Co-Founder On Wednesday I spent the better part of my working day at AGCMO’s first (my journalism profs wouldn’t let me say “Annual” until there is a second) Diversity and Inclusion Summit. I listened to 18 panelists and took nine pages of notes. Did I learn anything new? Yes […]
Tom Finan

Michael McGreevy eager to prove he belongs in Cardinals' rotation

1 year 3 months ago
With spring training nearing its midpoint, the St. Louis Cardinals haven't fully committed to a starting rotation for the new season just yet. Experience will likely lead the way, though rookie Michael McGreevy is doing his part to push for a big-league starting role.
Joey Schneider

St. Clair County Transit District Celebrates Grand Opening Of Tecklenburg Trail In Belleville

1 year 3 months ago
BELLEVILLE - Representatives of St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) today joined with local officials, stakeholders and residents to celebrate the grand opening of the $4.3 million Tecklenburg Trail in Belleville. The new, 1.1-mile, paved bike and pedestrian pathway will connect residents in West Belleville, Ill., to the St. Clair County Transit District’s ever-evolving MetroBikeLink System that currently consists of more than 39 miles of interconnecting trails and bike paths in St. Clair County. As part of the ribbon cutting ceremony held for the new trail segment, SCCTD officials also announced the completion of more than $650,000 in communications, safety and wayfinding enhancements to its system of trails. The Tecklenburg Trail extends from 66th and Main Streets through the Tecklenburg Forest Preserve to the MetroBikeLink Trail near Dutch Hollow and Llewellyn roads, running along a scenic route that transverses through wooded and other remote areas. The segment features

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St. Clair County Transit District Celebrates Grand Opening of its Tecklenburg Trail in Belleville

1 year 3 months ago
Representatives of St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) today joined with local officials, stakeholders and residents to celebrate the grand opening of the $4.3 million Tecklenburg Trail in Belleville. The new, 1.1-mile, paved bike and pedestrian pathway will connect residents in West Belleville, Ill., to the St. Clair County Transit District’s ever-evolving MetroBikeLink System that […]
Dede Hance

Alton Man Detained In Elderly Battery Case

1 year 3 months ago
ALTON – After battering two elderly victims, an Alton man remains in custody pending multiple felony charges. Grant M. Shimchick, 37, of Alton, was charged with two counts of aggravated battery, both Class 3 felonies, and two counts of domestic battery, both Class A misdemeanors. On Feb. 22, 2025, Shimchick allegedly grabbed one elderly household or family member by the neck and threw another elderly household or family member to the ground. A petition to deny Shimchick’s pretrial release adds that shortly after his arrest, he told police he would return to the victims’ residence if released. Madison County court records show Shimchick had active warrants out of Florissant Municipal Court and was on court supervision from a 2023 Madison County criminal case at the time of this latest incident. A detention order was later filed upholding the state’s petition to keep Shimchick detained. Shimchick’s case was presented by the Alton Police Department.

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