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Illinois Accountability Commission Hosts First Meeting

2 months ago
CHICAGO – The Illinois Accountability Commission, housed in the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR), held a public meeting on December 18 at the Arturo Velasquez Institute (AVI) at Richard J. Daley College in the West Lawn community. During the first public meeting, the Commission outlined its function and purpose, presented two video montages highlighting concerning actions by federal agents, and heard a first-hand witness account as well as a presentation from a public health

Duckworth-Led Provisions to Protect Rock Island Arsenal, Support Illinois Quantum Technology Research and Safeguard Care for Veterans Passes Congress

2 months ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), successfully secured several important provisions to support Illinoisans, servicemembers, Veterans and our state’s economy that passed Congress this week and are heading to the President’s desk to be signed into law. Some of the priorities Duckworth secured to help Illinoisans include protecting

Attorney General Raoul Issues Statement Regarding Proposed Medicaid Rules Banning Health Care For Transgender Youth

2 months ago
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today issued a statement condemning two proposed federal rules announced by the Trump administration that could ban medically necessary health care for transgender adolescents. “Following nearly a year of cruel and relentless attacks on transgender youth and their medical providers, today the Trump administration released its proposal to prohibit Medicaid and federal CHIP reimbursement for transgender patients younger than 19, and block Medicaid

The Graduate School At SIUE Announces Two Distinguished Research Professor Awards

2 months ago
EDWARDSVILLE – The Graduate School at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in conjunction with the Office of the Provost has announced the Distinguished Research Professor Award to two faculty members: Kristine Hildebrandt, PhD, and Faith Liebl, PhD. The committee of distinguished research faculty awarded Drs. Hildebrandt and Liebl the promotion to Distinguished Research Professor based on each of their significant research output and the broad impact their research has had on their

K Miller Foundation Thanks Community for Support, Begins Planning Toy Giveaway for Next Year

2 months ago
ALTON - K Miller Foundation founder Kidada Miller is pleased to announce that their toy giveaway is completely full. From 12–3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, at the Mineral Springs Banquet Center in Alton, those who have registered can pick out toys and turkeys. Miller said that every toy and turkey is accounted for, and walk-ins will no longer be accepted. “I’m really excited about this year and what we’re able to do in the community,” she added. Caregivers

ICCB Announces $9.3 Million in Innovative Bridge and Transition Grants to Strengthen Education-to-Career Pathways

2 months ago
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) announced $9.3 million in Innovative Bridge and Transition (IBT) Grants to support initiatives that help Illinois residents transition more effectively into postsecondary education, job training, and high-demand careers. These grants, awarded to community colleges and partner organizations across the state, expand access to bridge programming, adult education pathways, wrap-around supports, and disability transition services designed

Senator Harriss Statement On Newly Signed Chicago Transit Bailout

2 months ago
GLEN CARBON – State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) has released the below statement following the signing of Senate Bill 2111 on Tuesday: “Taxpayers were promised Rebuild Illinois dollars would fix roads, bridges, and water systems- not bail out Chicago. Today’s transit bill breaks that promise. “Metro East families sit in traffic on crumbling roads while Springfield raids funds to cover Chicago’s financial failures. That’s not responsible governing.

Applications Now Open For IDNR Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants

2 months ago
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting applications for Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grants now through Feb. 16, 2026. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service VFA federal grant program provides matching funds to aid fire departments in the purchase of new equipment and helps fund training. Funding is passed through IDNR to local fire departments and fire training academies. The VFA grant program reimburses 50% of the recipients’

Gov. Pritzker Celebrates 2025 Accomplishments

2 months ago
CHICAGO — Throughout 2025, the State of Illinois faced new challenges. The federal government created chaos and uncertainty for the national economy, stripped away healthcare and food assistance from seniors and children, and attacked fundamental American rights and freedoms — but Illinois stayed focused on making progress and delivering real results for working families. Despite this year’s challenges, Governor JB Pritzker continued to step up and fight for working families

Midwest Members Credit Union Sponsors "Shell Of The Month"

2 months ago
WOOD RIVER – Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Shell of the Month” program at Roxana High School. Students from each grade level are selected each month by members of RHS faculty. Each student is awarded a certificate and a Subway gift card. The Seniors selected each month will have the opportunity to compete for a “Shell of the Year” scholarship at the end of the school year. November & December Shell of the Month winners are: Senior &ndash

Escape the Ordinary: Tips for Planning the Perfect Winter Getaway

2 months ago
Did you know that travelers who plan their winter vacations at least three months in advance save an average of 20% on accommodations and flights? This statistic highlights an often-overlooked aspect of travel: timing and preparation can transform a simple trip into an unforgettable escape. Whether you seek adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, a well-planned winter getaway can rejuvenate your mind and body, offering a fresh perspective during a time when many feel confined by routine.

This Day in History on December 19: Charles Dickens Publishes "A Christmas Carol"

2 months ago
December 19 has witnessed a tapestry of significant events throughout history, each contributing uniquely to the global narrative. In 1777, during the American Revolutionary War, the Continental Army, led by General George Washington, endured the harsh winter at Valley Forge. Though not a single day's event, the encampment had reached a critical phase by mid-December, with soldiers facing severe shortages and extreme cold. The resilience and training during this period would prove crucial to th

Without pennies, should retailers round up or down? States offer their 2 cents.

2 months ago
As pennies vanish from the American landscape, many businesses are clamoring for federal guidance on how to handle cash transactions in a penniless world. Should retailers round up or down? Should they round in favor of the customer? Or in favor of the business? So far, calls for federal direction have gone unanswered. Some businesses […]
Kevin Hardy

This weekend's Weather: Cold and Breezy Friday, Warming Up Saturday

2 months ago
Friday morning starts off chilly with temperatures around 30 degrees and mostly sunny skies. The day will be colder than usual, with a high of 37 degrees. Breezy winds at 11 to 25 mph from the west-southwest will be noticeable in the morning. Through the afternoon, expect mostly sunny conditions with the cold continuing. By evening, it turns partly cloudy and remains breezy with south-southeast winds around 16 mph gusting to 23 mph. Overnight lows will dip to about 30 degrees, keeping the chill

Trump health agency proposes rules to limit gender-affirming care for youth

2 months ago
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s administration took major steps Thursday in a campaign to block minors’ access to gender-affirming care nationwide.  Under two proposed new rules from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, hospitals would be barred from providing gender transition treatment for children as a condition of participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs, […]
Shauneen Miranda