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Gov. Pritzker, AFSCME Council 31 Announce Contract Ratification

2 years 6 months ago
CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker's administration and AFSCME Council 31—the largest union of frontline Illinois state employees—have announced the ratification of a new contract after membership voted overwhelmingly in favor. The agreement was tentatively reached by negotiators for the state and the union in the early morning hours of July 1. Over the past two weeks, members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31 attended local union meetings throughout the state to review and vote on its terms. The four-year agreement is now in effect. “Illinois is a pro-worker state—and when it comes to workers’ rights, my administration is committed to ensuring that every Illinoisan has access to good-paying opportunities,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This contract represents a partnership that won’t just expand our pool of state employees—it will strengthen our state’s workforce and

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Duckworth, Durbin Applaud President Biden's Announcement To Name Bronzeville Church That Held Emmett Till’s Wake A National Monument

2 years 6 months ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, today applauded the Biden Administration’s announcement that it will designate the church that held Emmett Till’s pivotal open-casket wake in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood as a national monument. In a White House ceremony tomorrow, President Biden will designate Bronzeville’s Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ as a national monument to be managed by the U.S. National Park Service to ensure that the historic church will be preserved and continue to tell Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley’s critically important story as part of American history. “Roberts Temple Church of God In Christ is of both extraordinary and incredibly heartbreaking historical importance to Chicago, our state and to this country—which is why I’ve been working for years to make this site a national monument,”

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Alton Little Theater Bringing Circus Kaput To Town For One Night Only

2 years 6 months ago
ALTON - Alton Little Theater is very excited to bring a little "circus" to town on Saturday, August 12th at 7 p.m. Yes, CIRCUS KAPUT will be on stage to the delight of families and kids of all ages, featuring headliner, OH MY GOSH JOSH, a unicycle act, juggling act, hula hoop act, a still parade, comedy, audience participation and so much more! "Party on Broadway" will be on hand, starting at 6 p.m. for some face painting and complimentary refreshments will be served. This family friendly event is simply the best way to celebrate summer fun before the start of school. All tickets are just $20 for the 90-minute Regional Circus Troupe started by Josh Routh and highly recommended by our local tourism bureau. Executive Director of ALT, Lee Cox is thrilled that so many new audience members are showing up to see ALT's big summer musical, SPAMALOT, but admits that the theater recommended attendance as a PG-13 production. The Board of Directors felt strongly that the theater wanted

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Edwardsville Municipal Band Presents "From The Big Screen" Concert In City Park

2 years 6 months ago
EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Municipal Band is excited to announce its upcoming concert, "From the Big Screen," taking place on Thursday, July 27, at 8:00 PM on the Cleaon Etzkorn Bandstand at City Park. Under the baton of co-conductor Dr. John Korak, the Edwardsville Municipal Band will transport the audience into the captivating worlds of cinema as the band showcases themes from timeless classics such as Harry Potter, Jurassic World, Superman, and many more. "We are thrilled to present a celebration of the indelible musical contributions that have graced our favorite films. The program is sure to resonate with audiences of all generations," said Mark Haun, trombone player and board member. Concessions available during the event will directly benefit the ED of the PEO Sisterhood. For more information about the Edwardsville Municipal Band and its upcoming events, please visit them on Facebook, Instagram, or on the City of Edwardsville website.

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Jerseyville Public Library Has Been Chosen To Receive A Grant To Conduct Digital Literacy Workshops For Seniors

2 years 6 months ago
JERSEYVILLE - The Public Library Association, a division of the American Library Association, has awarded $1.27 million to more than 200 Public Libraries for digital literacy workshops. This national initiative was offered with expanded support from AT&T to help families build online skills. Powered by a contribution from AT&T, the Public Library Association (PLA) has selected more than 200 public libraries across 45 states to host digital literacy workshops. The Jerseyville Public Library was one of the libraries chosen to receive this grant which supports public libraries in their work improving digital skills within their communities. The workshops leverage the online digital literacy courses, created by PLA in collaboration with AT&T, that are freely available to anyone through DigitalLearn.org. DigitalLearn.org online courses and training materials were developed with and for library staff and their patrons. Workshops funded by the PLA Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive will

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Appeals Court Halts Missouri Execution of Johnny Johnson

2 years 6 months ago
A St. Louis man scheduled to die next Tuesday received a last-minute stay of execution yesterday — with the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals saying the state of Missouri cannot yet proceed with the execution of Johnny Johnson. Johnson was sentenced to death in 2005 for the murder of six-year-old Casey Williamson in suburban Valley Park. In their petition for relief filed June 30, Johnson's attorneys state the case simply: "Because Mr. Johnson does not rationally understand the reason for his execution and believes Satan is using the State of Missouri to execute him to bring about the end of the world, which the voice of Satan has confirmed to him, he is not competent to be executed and carrying out the execution would violate the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution."
Sarah Fenske

78-Year-Old Missouri Woman on the Lam After Bank Robbery

2 years 6 months ago
Authorities in Cass County have issued a warrant for 78-year-old Bonnie Gooch after she missed a court date on Monday during which she was set to be arraigned on charges stemming from an alleged April bank robbery. That bank robbery occurred at the Goppert Financial Bank in Pleasant Hill, a city of about 8,000 people that's a 40-minute drive south of Kansas City. Speaking to the local Fox affiliate, the Pleasant Hill police chief described Gooch as "wily," noting that she robbed the bank wearing an N-95 mask, sunglasses and gloves.
Ryan Krull