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Cooling Centers in the Riverbend Region for Summer 2026

4 months ago
RIVERBEND - As summer heats up this week with a heatwave coming in, there are places to stay cool and safe throughout the community. Heat can be dangerous, especially for older adults or younger children. Here are a few spots where you can go and enjoy the air conditioning as temperatures climb. ALTON Alton Square Mall Where: 200 Alton Square Hours: MTWRFS 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday 12–6 p.m. Hayner Public Library District - Alton Square Mall Where: 132 Alton Square

Pritzker Energy Trailer Bill Adds Clarity on County Authority

4 months ago
SPRINGFIELD - Gov. JB Pritzker signed House Bill 1700 into law Friday, June 26, 2026, creating a technical trailer bill for Illinois’ Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act after the measure passed the General Assembly on May 31, 2026, as lawmakers moved to clarify implementation of the state’s broader energy law. The law, known as HB1700, is tied to the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, or CRGA, a $13 billion omnibus energy law signed in January 2026

Governor JB Pritzker, Christian Mitchell Join Chicago Pride Parade

4 months ago
CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker and lieutenant governor candidate Christian Mitchell walked in the Chicago Pride Parade to celebrate Illinois’ LGBTQ+ community. They greeted attendees and joined in the festivities alongside Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community. “As we celebrate Pride Month, I am honored to stand with Illinois’ LGBTQ+ community, as we work together to ensure Illinois remains a state where everyone is welcomed and protected. I’m thrilled to be back at

IDOT: Stay Alert For Crews, Heavy Equipment As Peak Roadside Mowing Period Begins

4 months ago
SPRINGFIELD – With peak roadside mowing season underway, the Illinois Department of Transportation is reminding the public to slow down, proceed with caution and pay extra attention when encountering equipment and personnel. In keeping with the recent practice of timing operations to preserve and promote pollinator habitat, the heaviest mowing period will continue until Aug. 15, 2026. “You’ll see our mowing crews throughout the entire state so please remember to give them roo

Father Charged After Infant Killed in Shooting

4 months ago
ST. LOUIS — A 19-year-old father, Ca’Marion Pawnell, has been charged with second-degree murder and child endangerment after a 7-month-old girl was fatally shot Friday afternoon, June 26, 2026, inside a north St. Louis home, according to St. Louis Metropolitan Police. The infant, identified by St. Louis Police as Kiyomi Parker, was shot around 4 p.m. Friday inside a home in the 8400 block of North Broadway in the city’s Baden neighborhood. Police said Kiyomi later died at

Lane Closures Scheduled At I-270/Illinois 111 Interchange In Madison County

4 months ago
PONTOON BEACH – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that intermittent daytime lane closures will take place at the Interstate 270/Illinois 111 interchange in Madison County beginning, weather permitting, at 7 a.m. Tuesday, June 30, 2026, for additional pavement marking installation. The work is expected to be completed by 3 p.m. Thursday, July 2. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce

North Mac High School to host Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife Wednesday, July 15

4 months ago
VIRDEN, Ill. - North Mac High School will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 722 N. Springfield, inside Fellowship Hall. What: North Mac High School Community Blood Drive When: Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Where: Sacred Heart Catholic Church Fellowship Hall, 722 N. Springfield, Virden, Ill. Appointments:

Jerseyville Native Mattie Schell Returns July 4 for "Rock the Block"

4 months ago
JERSEYVILLE - Nashville recording artist and Jerseyville native Mattie Schell will bring some fun to her hometown on the Fourth of July. From 6–9 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, 2026, community members can enjoy a “Rock the Block” performance by Schell in downtown Jerseyville under the water tower. The Independence Day fun starts with an ice cream social at 4 p.m. at the Jersey County Courthouse and concludes with fireworks at the Jersey County fairgrounds at 9:30 p.m. Schell i

Attorney General Raoul Calls On ICE To Reverse Dangerous New Policy That Reduces Oversight Of Potentially Dangerous Conditions In Detention Centers

4 months ago
CHICAGO– Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 23 attorneys general, urged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to reverse a dangerous new policy ending investigations and public reporting of deaths that occur shortly after people are released from ICE custody. In a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Acting ICE Director David Venturella, Attorney General Raoul and the coalition condemn the new policy

Statement from Illinois EPA Director on Gov. Pritzker Signing Protections Against Federal Environmental Rollbacks

4 months ago
SPRINGFIELD – Today, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Director James Jennings issued the following statement commending Governor JB Pritzker for signing House Bill 5070 into law: “Longstanding environmental protections have repeatedly come under attack by the Trump administration, necessitating action at the state level to ensure Illinois’ environmental regulations remain intact and Illinois residents are protected. I am especially grateful to Representative

Gov. Pritzker Signs Child Care Licensing Redesign Bill Into Law

4 months ago
SPRINGFIELD – Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed the child care licensing redesign legislation (HB 3595) into law. This bill streamlines the license exemption structure and application requirements to provide consistent licensing decisions and reduce delays. It also helps the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) reach another efficiency milestone by updating outdated industry terms in the Act and allowing IDEC to tie background checks to the individual instead of the provider.