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CHICAGO - In recognition of Sunshine Week, Attorney General Kwame Raoul released the Public Access Counselor Annual Report with details of a sampling of over 4,200 new matters received in 2024, as well as other matters the Public Access Counselor (PAC) addressed last year. The PAC works to increase transparency in Illinois government by resolving disputes regarding public bodies’ compliance with the state’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Open Meetings Act (OMA). The 2024 report also describes how the PAC trained thousands of individuals on Illinois’ transparency laws in webinars, seminars and conferences throughout the state. “During Sunshine Week, I’m proud to highlight the hard work and commitment of my office’s Public Access Bureau to ensuring government agencies in Illinois are accessible to the people they serve,” Raoul said. “I encourage appointed and elected officials and FOIA officers, as well as the public, to attend

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ALTON — A dump truck struck a power pole on Emma L. Kaus Lane in Alton on Tuesday morning, March 18, 2025, resulting in a significant power outage that affected approximately 2,800 customers in Alton, Bethalto and Cottage Hills, and about 60 customers in Brighton. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. According to Ameren Illinois officials, crews are currently assessing the situation to ensure safety and restore power to the affected areas. The dump truck, which had its bed partially raised, reportedly caught the cable and phone communications lines, leading to the collapse of two power poles. The impact caused power lines to short circuit, resulting in widespread outages. In response to the situation, utility crews from Ameren and JF Electric are working throughout the day to restore service. Part of the customers will likely be restored once some of the power source is rerouted. Fosterburg Road has been closed to facilitate the replacement of the downed poles and to ensure

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ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) has located a Cadillac CTS Sedan in connection with a March 17, 2025, incident that left an officer and a suspect injured. The vehicle, which is believed to be between 2008 and 2013 model years, was seized and is now in SLMPD custody. Authorities have also identified a person of interest related to the case. The incident began early on the morning of March 17, 2025, when the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force was investigating a carjacked Toyota RAV4 from East St. Louis. The RAV4 was spotted in the 4800 block of Cote Brilliante, leading deputies to observe the suspects exit the vehicle and enter a stolen Acura from Belleville. A description of the Acura was quickly disseminated, and District 6 officers located the vehicle in the 5400 block of Queens. When officers attempted a traffic stop, the Acura fled, swerving towards an officer deploying spike strips at the intersection of Queens and Harney. Despite nearly striking

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CHICAGO HEIGHTS – Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza announced Monday her office has summarily suspended and filed a complaint to permanently revoke the license of Heights Crematory, Inc. (Heights) in Chicago Heights, Illinois. This is in response to violations documented by Illinois Office of Comptroller (IOC) staff including improper storage of bodies, lying to our office’s auditors, and failing to maintain records of the bodies brought in for cremation. “I am appalled, disgusted, and deeply saddened by the disrespect Heights Crematory showed to the remains of the deceased, and we are working swiftly to strip the facility of its license,” Comptroller Mendoza said. “No family should have to wonder what happened to their loved one when they pass or learn a deceased family or friend wasn’t treated with the utmost respect and dignity they deserve.” Upon learning of the egregious problems at Heights Crematory on Tuesday, February 18th, the Illinois

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ALTON - A dump truck struck a power pole in Alton on Tuesday morning, March 18, 2025, causing a significant outage affecting approximately 2,800 customers in the surrounding areas. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. and has led to power disruptions in Alton, Bethalto, Cottage Hills, and about 60 customers in Brighton. The location of the dump truck strike has not yet been disclosed. Ameren Illinois officials are currently assessing the situation to ensure the safety of the area and restore power. "We have anticipated a bunch of calls," a spokesperson Brian Bretsch of Ameren Illinois said. "The first steps involve securing the site and possibly controlling traffic around the area. Crews will then determine whether power can be rerouted from another source to restore service to the affected customers. As the situation develops, utility officials are focused on restoring power as quickly and safely as possible.

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CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker released the following statement: “My aunt Cindy Pritzker passed away on Saturday, and it leaves a hole in my heart. She was not only a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, a loyal friend to so many, and a committed Chicagoan through and through, but she also played an important role in my life. When my father died and my mother was ill and I was just 12 years old, she and my uncle Jay took me in and made sure I felt safe and loved. I would not be who I am today without her love, laughter, and kindness. "Cindy grew up in the Kenwood neighborhood and embodied the spirit of the city she dedicated much of her life to – fierce, caring, and full of joy. From leading the Chicago Public Library Board and her work to build the Harold Washington Library to helping create the Pritzker Architecture Prize and Chicago’s Millennium Park Music Pavilion, Cindy shaped the city of Chicago just as much as it shaped her. She will live

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12), chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, released the following statement today regarding VA Secretary Doug Collins’ announcement that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will phase out medical transgender treatments: “The Department of Veterans Affairs shouldn't be a battlefield in the Left's war on truth - and our taxpayer dollars shouldn't pay for transgender treatments at the VA. There are two God-given genders with unique needs and differences that don't disappear or reverse at the whim of woke bureaucrats. We are fortunate to have a president like Donald Trump who isn't afraid to restore common sense at the VA and refocus the agency 100% on serving the needs of America’s veterans.”

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt advanced a measure to enhance early literacy education for students in kindergarten through third-grade. “It’s so important that kids receive early intervention if they are having difficulties reading,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “The earlier a student is identified as potentially struggling with reading, the sooner intervention and support can start for the student.” The Illinois State Board of Education created and adopted a Comprehensive Literacy Plan in 2024. The plan acts as a roadmap to enhance and unify core literacy instruction efforts statewide. It is designed to outline necessary supports and resources for literacy reform, ensuring all students receive developmentally appropriate and evidence-based literacy instruction. The purpose of Belt’s measure is to ensure kindergarten through third-grade students receive regular screenings for potential reading difficulties so those needing additional

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SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, along with 29 Senators, sent a letter demanding a reversal of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) cancellation of food purchase programs across the United States, warning of the harmful impacts this move will have on both families and American farmers. Slashing funding for locally sourced, nutritious food in schools showcases the hypocrisy of the Trump Administration’s claims about wanting to improve healthy food for children. “We ask that you reverse the cancellation,” the Senators wrote. “We have grave concerns that the cancellation... poses extreme harm to producers and communities in every state across the country. At a time of uncertainty in farm country, farmers need every opportunity to be able to expand market access for their products.” In Illinois, cancellation of purchases through

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SPRINGFIELD – Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Peter Welch (D-VT) issued the following statement after President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, claiming wartime power to deport noncitizens without due process: “Over the weekend, President Trump invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport noncitizens without due process. This attempt to use an archaic wartime law—not used since World War II—for immigration enforcement is yet another unlawful and brazen power grab. “Let’s be clear: we are not at war, and immigrants are not invading our country. Furthermore, courts determine whether people have broken the law—not a president acting alone, and not immigration agents picking and choosing who gets imprisoned or deported. It’s what our Constitution demands, and it’s the law Trump is bound

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ROODHOUSE - A juvenile bald eagle injured in Roodhouse, Ill. on May 29, 2024, is on the road to freedom after an extensive rehabilitation process. The young eagle, believed to be around year three, was discovered with a left humerus fracture and was quickly transported to Treehouse Wildlife Center by dedicated volunteer Tabatha Morris. The eagle's recovery was made possible thanks to the expert care of Dr. Lindsay Trickel, who performed a successful surgery to repair the fractured humerus via pinning on June 8, 2024. The surgery was critical to ensure the eagle’s return to a healthy, wild life. Dr. Trickel's skillful work was instrumental in giving this bird a second chance. Following the surgery, the bird’s rehabilitation included a structured physical therapy regimen, using wing extensions to regain strength in her injured wing. The rehabbers at Treehouse Wildlife Center worked diligently to help her regain full range of motion and strength. After six weeks of therapy,

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Did you know that the average person wears only 20% of their wardrobe 80% of the time? This staggering statistic highlights a common dilemma: we often find ourselves overwhelmed by choices yet stuck in a cycle of wearing the same few pieces repeatedly. This is where the concept of a capsule wardrobe comes in—a curated collection of versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create numerous outfits without the clutter. For those looking to refresh their style this spring, a capsule wardrobe offers a practical and efficient approach to dressing with intention. Understanding the Capsule Wardrobe Concept A capsule wardrobe is more than just a trend; it's a lifestyle choice that promotes simplicity and sustainability. Originating in the 1970s, the idea is to select a limited number of clothing items that harmonize with each other, allowing for endless outfit combinations. The appeal lies in reducing decision fatigue, saving time, and minimizing clutter while still

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March 18 has seen its fair share of significant events that have shaped the world in numerous ways. One of the most noteworthy events in history on March 18 occurred in 1965, when cosmonaut Alexei Leonov made the first-ever spacewalk. This groundbreaking achievement was part of the Soviet Union's Voskhod 2 mission and marked a significant milestone in the Space Race during the Cold War. Leonov spent 12 minutes outside his spacecraft, floating in the vacuum of space, and his successful extravehicular activity (EVA) paved the way for future space exploration. The event not only showcased the technological prowess of the Soviet Union but also inspired generations to dream of the stars. Fast forward to 1990, when the world witnessed a pivotal moment in the fight for global democracy. On this day, the Lithuanian parliament declared independence from the Soviet Union. As the first Soviet republic to assert its sovereignty, Lithuania's move was a significant step towards the dissolution

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COLLINSVILLE - The City of Collinsville has issued a boil order for several locations as a precautionary measure following a water main repair. The order affects residents on Lake Avenue, Adams Avenue, Hi Point Street, Apple Street, and Oran Street. The boil order is in effect until further notice, and it requires that water intended for drinking or cooking be brought to a full rolling boil for at least five minutes before use. Residents are also advised to turn off ice makers and discard any ice that has been produced during this time. The affected addresses include: Lake Avenue : 711, 713, 715, 719, 721, 722, 724, 726, 727, 728, 730, and 732 Adams Avenue : 2100, 2108, 2200, 2210, and 2300 Hi Point Street : 600, 601, 602, 603, 605, 616, 703, 705, 709, 711, 712, 713, 714, 715, 716, and 721 Apple Street : 2098, 2102, 2104, 2106, and 2114 Oran Street : 600, 601, 602, 604, and 606 Residents with questions regarding the boil order can contact Troy Turner, Director of Public

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WOOD RIVER – Changes to redevelopment agreements for three Wood River properties face scrutiny from City Councilman Bill Dettmers, who claims city officials have failed to enforce certain guidelines. At Monday’s City Council meeting, Dettmers vocally opposed a series of amendments to TIF agreements for three properties, claiming the amendments would eliminate protections defending the city against waste, fraud, and abuse. City Manager Steve Palen said the city was simply amending each of its TIF agreements to be consistent with each other. Councilman Jeremy Plank has previously voiced support for simplifying the city’s TIF agreements to encourage developers to invest in Wood River. Of concern for Dettmers were three agreements for redevelopment using Tax Increment Financing (TIF). The properties in question include 1 E. Ferguson Ave., 10 W. Ferguson Ave., and 62 E. Ferguson Ave. For 1 E. Ferguson Ave., Dettmers claimed an amendment was made to the TIF agreement

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GODFREY - The Beem Family Foundation is looking forward to hosting their second annual event, an 80s-themed night. From 5–10 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2025, the community is invited to The Commons at Lewis and Clark Community College for dinner, entertainment by Porch Cafe, an auction, and more fun throughout the evening. Tickets cost $65 a person or $120 per couple, and all proceeds go back to the Beem Family Foundation and the LCCC scholarships they have founded in honor of three deceased family members. “It means a lot,” said Nicholas Wittman, the organization’s president. “The three family members we lost did a lot of things for a lot of different local organizations over the years, and being able to give back to our community in some form or fashion in their name means a lot to our family. We always appreciate the community coming out to help make that happen.” The Beem Family Foundation was founded in 2022 in honor of Sharilyn Beem,

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ST. LOUIS, MO. — The American Red Cross has opened shelters for residents in Missouri affected by recent severe, widespread storm damage which severely damaged homes, uprooted trees, and left many without power. If you or someone you know needs help, call 1-800-Red-Cross. Disasters are stressful for all, if you or someone you know needs mental health support, please call the Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990, operators are available 24hrs/day in multiple languages. Missouri Shelter Locations: · Franklin County: Moose Lodge, 905 Highway 50, Union, Missouri 63084 · Howell County: 1st United Methodist Church at 503 W Main St, West Plains, MO 65775 · Jefferson County: St David’s Catholic Church, 2334 Tenbrook Rd., Arnold, MO. 63010 · Phelps County: First Baptist Church, 801 N Cedar St, Rolla, MO 65401 · St. Louis County: North County Rec Plex, 2577 Redman Avenue, St Louis MO 63136 Respite Center Locations: · Butler

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ST. LOUIS – New data from the Census Bureau show that the St. Louis metro area grew by 6,420 residents in 2024. However, the City of St. Louis lost about 3,000 residents, falling to just under 280,000 residents, according to the estimate. “The City of St. Louis is the core of the St. Louis region, and these numbers are encouraging for our metro area,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “While our city has experienced population loss for decades, these numbers show that we continue to slow that decline, with the goal of reversing it. People want to move to a city that is safe, welcoming, fun, and has a successful school system. My administration will continue to do the work of making St. Louis an appealing place to live. Despite what is happening under the Trump administration, St. Louis remains a welcoming city for our immigrant neighbors, who are crucial to the formula for reversing negative population trends.”

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EDWARDSVILLE – A third-party contractor working in the 7300 block of Marine Road was using a boring machine when the operator hit a one-inch Ameren Illinois natural gas pipeline line. Ameren Illinois received a call about a natural gas service line being struck. A crew arrived on the scene and safely secured the area. The crew was able to safely repair the damage to the pipeline in about 20 minutes. The natural gas outage impacted only one customer. No one had to be evacuated. As a safety reminder, it is important to call 811 before digging – 811 is the national number for utility locating and marking. In the Ameren Illinois service territory, the number connects directly to a nonprofit organization called Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators (J.U.L.I.E). When a call is placed to J.U.L.I.E., the caller must include the digging location (address), as well as the specific area (e.g. left/right side of the house, front, back) If J.U.L.I.E determines that Ameren

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ALTON — A powerful storm swept through Alton this past Friday, March 14, 2025, causing strong winds that resulted in significant damage to an Alton home. Marissa Kudelka's grandparents in Alton were affected when a large tree fell onto their residence, severely damaging the roof. The incident occurred during a period of severe weather that has prompted concern among residents about the impact of storms in the area. Kudelka has launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist her grandparents with the urgent repairs needed to restore their home. "We are reaching out for help to get them back on their feet," Kudelka said in a statement regarding the situation. The GoFundMe page aims to raise funds for the necessary repairs and has been shared widely within the community, she said. For those interested in supporting Kudelka's grandparents, the GoFundMe can be found at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-marissas-grandparents-after-storm

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