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U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski Seeks Answers After ICE Detains Collinsville Teens

4 months 2 weeks ago
COLLINSVILLE/MORRISONVILLE - Three Collinsville residents, including a 16-year-old and a pair of 19-year-olds, were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Morrisonville, Illinois, according to elected officials, prompting concern from U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, who said her office is seeking more information. Officials identified those detained as Jesus Alexis Cruz, 16, Hector Cruz Sanchez, 19, and Jonathan Godoy, 19. The three teens lived in Collinsville

Billions for the next 3 years of Trump’s mass deportation campaign signed into law

4 months 2 weeks ago
WASHINGTON β€” President Donald Trump significantly bolstered funding for immigration enforcement Wednesday when he signed into law a nearly $70 billion package that will keep key federal agencies operating without any new restrictions.Β  Democrats pressed for guardrails after immigration officers shot and killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis in January. But when talks broke down, […]
Jennifer Shutt

Illinois Recognizes Elder Abuse Awareness Day

4 months 2 weeks ago
SPRINGFIELD – June 15 is Elder Abuse Awareness Day. With reports of elder abuse on the rise in Illinois since 2022 , Department on Aging (IDoA) Director Mary Killough, is reminding community members to learn the warning signs and speak up about suspected abuse of older adults. “We must stand together to protect the dignity, safety, and respect every older adult deserves,” said IDoA Director Mary Killough. “Abuse, neglect and exploitation are not just private matters,

Duckworth, Durbin Announce Over $22 Million For Cleaner Water In Chicago

4 months 2 weeks ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the City of Chicago’s Department of Water Management will receive $22,119,933 in grant funding to help get lead out of the city’s drinking water by supporting approximately 650 lead service line replacements in the Austin neighborhood. This comes after the Senators announced over $316 million for clean water funding in Illinois last month, including

Lane Closures On Northbound I-55 In St. Clair County

4 months 2 weeks ago
EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that lane closures will be in place on northbound Interstate 55 between St. Clair Avenue and Exchange Avenue in East St. Louis from 5:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily beginning Wednesday, June 10, through Friday, June 12, 2026, weather permitting, for bridge maintenance. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing

Senator Harriss Announces More Than $323,000 In State Fire Equipment Grants For Local Departments

4 months 2 weeks ago
EDWARDSVILLE – State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) is announcing that fire departments and fire protection districts throughout the 56th Senate District have been awarded more than $323,000 through the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal's (OSFM) 2026 Small Equipment Grant Program. "Our firefighters and first responders work tirelessly to protect our communities, often operating with limited budgets and resources," said Senator Harriss. "These grants help ensure departments

Durbin Urges Blocking FISA 702 Renewal Without Reforms And Removal Of Pulte

4 months 2 weeks ago
WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, continued his calls for serious reforms to Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Section 702 allows the government to collect the private communications of foreigners overseas without a warrant. The problem is that millions, and potentially billions, of innocent Americans’ communications with friends, family

Durbin Marks 100 Days Of Iran War With Criticism Of Trump's Strategy

4 months 2 weeks ago
WASHINGTON – Following the 100-day mark of the Iran War, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate floor today criticizing President Trump’s unclear strategy and recent comments on “Meet the Press ” in which he reiterated yet again that he is “very close” to a deal. “If that sounds like a familiar refrain, it is. President Trump has been saying some variation of that sentence almost every week since the war began over

State Fire Marshal Awards Grants To Seven St. Clair County Departments

4 months 2 weeks ago
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced the recipients of the 2026 Small Equipment Grant, which included seven awardees from St. Clair County. State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) said first responders in St. Clair County will benefit greatly from receiving these funds to improve community safety. “Our first responders go to great lengths to keep our communities safe and I’m happy to see local fire departments, fire protection