SPRINGFIELD — Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, a new law named after Sonya Massey will require law enforcement agencies in Illinois to conduct more comprehensive background checks on prospective officers before hiring, State Senator Doris Turner announced. The legislation, Senate Bill 1953, was introduced in response to the July 2024 fatal shooting of Massey by Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson during a police encounter at Massey’s home on Hoover Avenue. Grayson was
EDWARDSVILLE — Officials are touting expanded eligibility for the senior freeze exemption after legislation signed Friday opened the door to property tax relief for thousands of Madison County seniors. The new law, Illinois Senate Bill 64, amends the Illinois Property Tax Code to raise income limits for the exemption commonly known as the “Senior Freeze.” Chief County Assessment Officer Jessica L. Dudley welcomed the change, saying the updated income limits strengthen
SPRINGFIELD – Today, Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness announced $2 million in new investments for several community organizations in Springfield and the surrounding area to support local efforts to address and combat homelessness in Central Illinois. These investments from the Home Illinois grant exemplify the State’s commitment to reaching functional zero homelessness – a goal where the state prevents homelessness whenever possible an
The Trump Administration’s murder-in-international-waters program debuted far ahead of its legal rationale. Many people inside the administration were blindsided by this sudden escalation. Those expected to stay on top of these things — military oversight, congressional committees, etc. — found they were even further behind the curve than the late-arriving “justification” for extrajudicial killings of […]
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Five major labor groups of police officers and firefighters in St. Louis city and county announce support of state Rep. Butz, who is running for the state Senate in 2026.
While some people have been criticizing KISS for accepting the Kennedy Center Honors from President Donald Trump, Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider has their back."There are a lot of people…
COLLINSVILLE – A Centralia man accused of attempting to rob a Collinsville liquor store remains in custody pending a felony charge. Jesse L. Kempfer, 45, of Centralia, Ill. was charged on Dec. 9, 2025 with a Class 2 felony count of attempted aggravated robbery. Kempfer allegedly entered the Sav-On Liquor at 809 St. Louis Road in Collinsville with the intent to commit an aggravated robbery on Dec. 5, 2025. Charging documents state Kempfer wore a ski mask during the offense and ordered
EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville police officers, retirees and family members joined about 28 children Saturday morning, Dec. 13, 2025, for the 16th annual Christmas with a Cop program, aiming to brighten the holiday season for local families. The event began with breakfast at Chick-fil-A before participants shopped together at the Edwardsville Target store. The program pairs current and former members of the Edwardsville Police Department with children selected in coordination with Edwardsvill
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