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Davidsmeyer's School Gun Violence Prevention Bill Signed Into Law

5 days 23 hours ago
SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) to prevent school gun violence was signed into law on Friday. Representative Davidsmeyer filed his legislation after hearing of an incident in his district where a student threatened to commit an act of gun violence against another student. The victim told the school staff about the incident, but they did not report it to the principal because it was just a threat. House Bill 1316 requires all school officials to immediately notify the principal’s office in the event of any threat of gun violence on school grounds. The principal shall attempt to notify the offending student’s parents as soon as possible so that the parents may ensure that the student does not have access to a firearm. “I don’t want to take any threats of violence lightly,” Rep. Davidsmeyer said. “My legislation will help prevent school gun violence while not impeding on the Second

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St. Louis Mayor Spencer Expresses Gratitude for Outgoing Chief of Staff, Announces Casey Millburg As Successor

5 days 23 hours ago
ST. LOUIS – On Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer announced a series of updates to the structure of the Mayor’s Office. On the occasion of outgoing Chief of Staff Nancy Hawes’ last day as interim chief of staff, Mayor Spencer announced Casey Millburg as the incoming chief of staff. Hawes began her service as interim chief of staff with the mayor’s inauguration, and Millburg has served as the mayor’s policy director. “Nancy Hawes has shown fantastic dedication to St. Louis by stepping away from a highly successful legal career to lead the build-out of my administration and my staff through the intense transition and the massive challenge of responding to the May 16 tornado,” said Mayor Spencer. “I am both proud of and grateful for her excellent leadership. My administration and our city are better positioned for the future thanks to her cool head and hard work.” Hawes’ many achievements during her time

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Celebrate Labor Day weekend as Kids Go Back to School

5 days 23 hours ago

As children head back to the classroom, the Saint Louis County Department of Public Health urges families to think beyond immunizations and make full checkups part of their back-to-school routine. “A strong start to the school year depends on a healthy student both inside and out,” said Dr. Kanika Cunningham, Director of the Department of […]

The post Celebrate Labor Day weekend as Kids Go Back to School appeared first on flovalleynews.com.

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Budzinski Participates in Naturalization Ceremony at Illinois State Fair

5 days 23 hours ago
SPRINGFIELD — Yesterday, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) participated in a naturalization ceremony at the Illinois State Fair in which more than 400 individuals took the oath of allegiance to become U.S. citizens. Governor J.B. Pritzker , Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) , and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) also spoke at the ceremony. “It was a true honor to welcome these new citizens today,” said Congresswoman Budzinski . “Their path to this moment was no small feat. It required dedication, resilience, sacrifice, and courage. But with citizenship comes a powerful voice in our communities, schools, workplaces, and in our democracy. In these uncertain times, it’s more important than ever that we come together to support our immigrant communities—not just here in Illinois, but across the nation.” “We are a nation of immigrants, and I proudly display my mother’s naturalization certificate on my desk in the Capitol a

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New Interim President Announced at Principia College

5 days 23 hours ago
ELSAH – Principia College is pleased to announce Dr. Meggan Madden as Interim College President. Dr. Madden served as Dean of Academics at Principia College from 2019 to 2025. A distinguished academic leader, Dr. Madden brings more than 25 years of experience in higher education, with a focus on international education, student success, and academic excellence. “Dr. Madden brings remarkable competence and institutional continuity that will propel Principia College’s progress,” said Principia Chief Executive Barbara Blackwell. “Her deep ties to Principia—as an alum, scholar, and leader—inform her vision for a vibrant and forward-looking academic community. Her leadership reflects a dedication to honoring Principia’s long tradition of academic excellence, preparing students to be creative, collaborative thinkers and doers who thrive in a rapidly changing world.” Dr. Madden earned her BA from Principia College before completing her

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Edwardsville: Resurfacing Project Set to Begin Along Northern Section of Esic Drive, Side Streets

5 days 23 hours ago
EDWARDSVILLE – A resurfacing project along an approximately half-mile section of Esic Drive and several nearby streets will get underway on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. No road closure is planned as part of the project, but drivers could experience intermittent delays while the work is ongoing. The improvement project is planned for the northern section of Esic Drive, between University Drive and Illinois Route 157. Other nearby roads that also will be resurfaced include Lancashire Drive, Cheshire Court, Wiltshire Court and Durham Court. Milling of the existing surface of Esic and the other roads is expected to happen on Monday and Tuesday, August 18-19. No substantial road operations are planned for Wednesday, August 20, which is the first half-day of school for the Edwardsville School District. The school’s bus transportation providers have been notified of the upcoming roadwork. Resurfacing is expected to take place on Thursday and Friday, August 21-22. During the project,

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Attorney General Raoul Sues To Stop Unlawful Federal Cuts That Threaten State Energy Programs

5 days 23 hours ago
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today, as part of a coalition of 19 states, sued to block the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) from imposing a new funding cap that slashes support for vital state-run energy programs. The coalition argues that by capping certain funding for these programs, the DOE is jeopardizing states’ ability to keep them running. The states are asking the court to vacate this unlawful cap and restore the legally required reimbursement rates for these essential energy programs. In Illinois, the new cost cap would endanger long-running programs promoting energy resiliency and efficiency. These programs include the Public Water Infrastructure Energy Efficiency Assessment Program, which helps publicly held water treatment facilities conserve energy and reduce costs for customers, and energy code training for homebuilders, contractors, architects and others in the construction industry to ensure that renovations and new building projects meet the

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Governor Signs Bill Adding Pathways to CPA Licensure in Illinois

5 days 23 hours ago
CHICAGO – The Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS)—one of the largest state associations serving the certified public accountant (CPA) community—is proud to share that its legislation to evolve Illinois’ CPA licensure framework in response to talent pipeline issues, shifting demographics, and changing financial and audit regulatory standards, has been signed by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. The legislation, House Bill (HB) 2459 , originally introduced in March by Reps. Natalie Manley, CPA (D-Joliet), and Amy Elik, CPA (R-Edwardsville), and supported by Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Oakbrook Terrace) and Co-Sponsor Sen. Chris Balkema (R-Pontiac), passed unanimously in both chambers earlier this year. The legislation amends the Illinois Public Accounting Act to create two additional pathways to CPA licensure in Illinois. Scheduled to be implemented starting in 2027, these new pathways include: Obtaining a bachelor’s degree with a concentration

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SIUE and ISU Researchers Tackle Drinking Water Safety Across Illinois

5 days 23 hours ago
EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville- An SIUE-led research team is taking a statewide look at what lingers in the tap—measuring and mapping potential contaminants in Illinois drinking water using advanced chemical and geospatial analysis. The initiative, “Sustaining Illinois through Safe Drinking Water for All: A Detailed Chemical and Geospatial Analysis of Agricultural and Pharmaceutical Contaminates in Drinking Water Across Illinois” brings together faculty and students from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Illinois State University. Milena Di Blasi, a recent graduate of SIUE’s biochemistry program (’25), and her research mentor, Carrie Butts-Wilmsmeyer, PhD, director of the Center for Predictive Analytics and associate professor of Biological Sciences, are leading the project. The team is analyzing 250 water samples collected from all Illinois counties to detect endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), a class

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Budzinski Bill to Codify Veterans Experience Office Becomes Law

5 days 23 hours ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced that her Improving Veterans’ Experience Act was signed into law as part of a broader package of veterans legislation, S.423 . The bill, introduced with Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) and Congresswoman Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), codifies the Veterans Experience Office (VEO) within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VEO, established in 2015, gathers feedback directly from veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors on their experiences with VA services. VEO has been crucial to improving veterans’ trust in VA, enhancing digital experiences with the VA Health and Benefits Mobile App, and expanding direct outreach to veterans about resources, special eligibility windows, and other important information. “I’m thrilled to see our bill to codify the Veterans Experience Office signed into law,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “Since it was established ten year

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Get Covered Illinois Transitions to a State-Based Marketplace this November

5 days 23 hours ago
SPRINGFIELD – Get Covered Illinois announced today that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved Illinois’ transition to a state-based health insurance marketplace. Launched in 2013 as a branded portal to access Healthcare.gov , Get Covered Illinois will now operate as a full state-based marketplace. “Today marks a pivotal step towards bringing quality, affordable healthcare to all Illinoisans,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Operating a state-based marketplace will allow our state more flexibility to provide health insurance coverage that is tailored to the needs of our residents.” “It was an honor to carry the bill establishing the state-based marketplace while I was a member of the General Assembly and is even more of an honor leading the Department to implement it,” said Illinois Department of Insurance Director Ann Gillespie. “At a time when the federal government is announcing healthcare cuts, Illinois is investing

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Belt's Warehouse Tornado Preparedness Act in Response to Edwardsville Tornado Signed Into Law

5 days 23 hours ago
SPRINGFIELD – In direct response to the deadly tornado that struck an Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville in December 2021, State Senator Christopher Belt’s measure creating the Warehouse Tornado Preparedness Act was signed into law. “This tragedy revealed major shortcomings in emergency planning at large warehouse sites,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “New warehouse developments will now have to keep workers safe during tornadoes, no longer leveraging workers’ lives for cost savings.” Under Belt’s measure, warehouse operators must develop and file tornado safety plans for each facility within 120 days of the law’s effective date. Plans must include detailed evacuation procedures, shelter locations, emergency equipment inventories and post-disaster response protocols. Shelters must be stocked with supplies like food, water, first aid kits and communication tools. Newly constructed warehouses are also required to meet higher safety standards

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How to Plan a Successful Garage Sale

6 days ago
Did you know that the average American household accumulates over 300,000 items in a lifetime? Many of these belongings quietly gather dust in storage spaces, closets, and garages, often outliving their usefulness. A garage sale can be more than just a way to declutter—it’s an opportunity to connect with your community, earn extra cash, and give your unused items a second life. However, pulling off a successful garage sale requires more than simply putting your things on a table and hoping for the best. Strategic planning is key to maximizing both your profits and your satisfaction. Setting Clear Goals and Expectations Before diving into the logistics, it’s crucial to define what success looks like for you. Are you aiming to make a specific amount of money? Or is your primary goal to clear out space quickly? Perhaps you want to attract neighbors and build community ties. Your objectives will shape the scope and style of your sale. For example, if maximizing profit

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