St. Louis Sheriff Vernon Betts allegedly once bragged to a deputy that a judge on the 22nd Circuit Court was so scared of him that Betts could tell the judge "to shit in the middle of the court building" and he would. But a new letter drafted by the court's presiding judge suggests that whatever power the sheriff had over the judges has waned.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), applauded Senate passage of their bipartisan SIREN Reauthorization Act . The legislation would extend funding for five additional years for SIREN Act grants to rural fire and EMS agencies nationwide. The funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which was created through Durbin’s Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs (SIREN) Act , supports EMS agencies in training and recruiting staff, conducting certification courses, and purchasing equipment, including naloxone to address the opioid overdose epidemic. “In Illinois, rural EMS agencies are a lifeline for their communities. These first responders are on the front lines, and we must ensure that they have the proper staffing, training, and equipment to address the emergency in front
WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, today introduced legislation to block the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from using its resources to provide healthcare or engage in claims processing for illegal migrants. The “No VA Resources for Illegal Aliens Act” comes after reports indicated the Department of Homeland Security is leveraging the VA’s established claims processing system, through its Financial Services Center, to pay for illegal migrants in ICE detention. “Joe Biden’s failed border policies have created a humanitarian and national security crisis. Now it appears he’s taking resources away from our veterans to facilitate healthcare for illegal migrants," said Chairman Bost. "As a Marine, I believe any dollar taken away from a veteran is a promise broken to those who served. I’ve demanded answers from the Biden administration and been stonewalled every step of the
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, today released the following statement after voting for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes an authorization of nearly $886 billion for national security, including authorizations for military construction projects in Illinois and a 5.2 percent pay raise for service members and the Department of Defense (DoD) civilian workforce, which is the largest increase in two decades: “I’m pleased to see the Senate finally pass the NDAA today with a bipartisan vote, demonstrating that members on both sides of the aisle remain committed to a strong national defense and to the protection of our women and men in uniform. Illinois, in particular, will see significant investment as a result of this legislation, and I’m eager to see this federal spending make a positive impact on our state. “I am frustrated
CHAMPAIGN-URBANA – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation were joined by local officials and community leaders to celebrate the latest milestones on the $251.8 million replacement of the Interstate 57/74 interchange, a signature project of the historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program. As it moves into its next phase, the overall project will positively impact safety and mobility while positioning the region for long-term economic growth. “This $251.8 million, multi-year project to redesign the I-57/74 Interchange is a cornerstone of our road modernization program, and today, I couldn’t be prouder to announce that we’ve completed the first phase of its construction,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “When we make smart investments in the roadways that working families and businesses rely on, we’re constructing a better future for the entire region—one where parents and their children can commute
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nominations of Nicole G. Berner, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit; Adeel Abdullah Mangi, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit; Amy M. Baggio, to be United States District Judge for the District of Oregon; Cristal C. Brisco, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Indiana; and Gretchen S. Lund, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Indiana. Key Quotes: “Today is the 14th nominations hearing of this year. Including nominations hearings, we have held 35 full committee hearings and 22 markups. I want to thank Ranking Member Graham for his partnership, as well as all Members of this Committee. We’ve been busy this year—one of the busiest Committees in the Senate.” “I would
From BuildSteel: Valley Park Fire Protection District, Engine House No. 2, in Valley Park, Missouri, features cold-formed steel (CFS) framing, a framing choice that saved on the material required for the project and one that helped keep the construction on schedule. Valley Park Fire Station 2, Valley Park, Missouri, features cold-formed steel (CFS) framing. Station […]
Proposition W, on the April 2 ballot, would fund an estimated $12 million renovation of the 19-year-old aquatic center and $10 million in other parks projects.
Efforts to institute the plan are still playing out, and only a handful of county parties have adopted the system, according to a state party official.
From St. Louis Post-Dispatch: A new home-construction boom is revving up in St. Charles County as developers move to build more than 1,200 houses in western O’Fallon. The largest of the proposed developments, known as Harvest at Hopewell, would feature 896 homes on 261 acres. The second, The Villages at Post Farms, plans 335 homes […]
From ProBuilder: While 2023 saw the highest participation rate of women in the workforce to date, when it comes to construction, women make up just 14% of that industry’s workforce and only 4% of the trades. In an effort to explore how the Biden-Harris administration can help women enter the construction industry and succeed in […]
Content by Ponce Health Sciences University. At Ponce Health Sciences University, graduate PsyD (doctor of psychology) students are equipped with the clinical skills and social sensitivity needed to help those in need.
Sponsored content by Mary McHugh, Brand Ave. Studios contributing writer
From St. Louis Post-Dispatch: A dispute between a hotelier and labor union over organizing efforts has threatened a proposal to renovate a beleaguered downtown St. Louis hotel with an iconic World’s Fair mural. If the $46 million project is killed, it will cause the city to lose out on tens of thousands of dollars of […]
From Gensler: We are learning to design for future flexibility. For example, if we are designing for an office building but we know that in three years we might need to convert it to residential, we can do so. So, it’s a matter of understanding all the moving parts and pieces and allowing for tenant […]
ALTON - Kiyoko Proctor, a junior point guard and a key player for the girls basketball team at Alton High, had a big game on Dec. 7, 2023, scoring 19 points and hitting a pair of clutch threes in the final quarter to help the Redbirds take a 55-50 win over O'Fallon at the OTHS Panther Dome. Her performance helped Alton stay undefeated on the season, with the Redbirds now 8-0. More importantly, it's a win in the very tough Southwestern Conference in a key early-season matchup against the defending IHSA Class 4A state champions. Kiyoko is an Auto Butler Female Athlete of the Month for the Redbirds. For the season so far, Proctor is averaging 14.3 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, along with having 14 assists and 12 steals. She had enjoyed success since seventh grade, playing on back-to-back Alton Middle School teams that won the Illinois Elementary School Association Class 4A championship. She's been a main catalyst for the Redbirds since her freshman year and is also a very hard worker
From Facilitesnet: In the facilities management industry, workplace accidents, such as falls, chemical exposure, overexertion and electrocution, are all too common. Employee safety is a top priority for employers, and safety measures are required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which is why many employers have a plan in place, if or when, […]
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