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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Congressional Equality Caucus Chair Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA-39) for the bicameral reintroduction of the Equality Act in an effort to push back against escalated attacks from the Trump Administration, MAGA Republicans, and state legislatures on the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ Americans nationwide. “It is absolutely unacceptable that someone can be fired from their job, evicted from their home and experience discrimination just because of who they are or who they love,” said Duckworth. “As Trump continues his dangerous anti-LGBTQ+ attacks and we see a growing wave of legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community across the country, we must protect their rights at the federal level. I’m proud to join Senator Durbin and my colleagues in re-introducing the Equality Ac

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GRAFTON — Get ready for a tail-wagging, book-loving celebration! At 10 a.m. on Saturday , May 10, 2025, Grafton’s beloved Grove Memorial Park will come alive with laughter, stories, and the pitter-patter of tiny paws as the community kicks off Reading in the Park: Meet Dash the Dachshund! At just 12 weeks old, Dash is already embarking on his first book tour — and Grafton gets to host his official debut! Families, kids, and book lovers of all ages are invited to meet Dash, enjoy free entertainment, and receive one of over 100 free children’s books being gifted during this magical morning. Special guests include a singing princess from Frozen — who will guide little ones through beloved songs like “Let It Go” and “Into the Unknown.” Local artist Lou Ann Branz will lead interactive screen printing projects , sparking kids' creativity and curiosity. And of course, Dash and author Jackie Duty will be there to

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias today announced the winners of the office’s 2025 Organ & Tissue Donor Poster Contest. Katherine Bersnak, a 5th grader at St. Francis Xavier School in suburban La Grange took the top prize. The Secretary of State’s office will distribute Katherine’s poster to schools, libraries and DMVs throughout the state to encourage Illinoisans to sign up to become organ and tissue donors. “As we highlight the importance of organ donation this month, it’s important to encourage and empower young people and provide them with the knowledge and tools to become advocates in their communities and amplify their voices for positive change,” Giannoulias said. “Congratulations to each of the winners and all the contest participants who remind us of simple actions we can take to inform Illinoisans and save lives. We’re proud to showcase their creative talents and promote their work.”

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ALTON - Calvary Baptist Church and Calvary Christian School have several events planned for community members to enjoy. On Sunday, May 4, 2025, congregation members and Riverbend residents are invited to the church for “May the Lord Be With You,” a play on “Star Wars Day” that will include lightsaber-making, stage-fighting and a revival service. This will be followed by the school’s trivia fundraiser on May 16, 2025. “Anything that we’re able to do in the future to get the community involved and finding out more about the school, we’re always looking for opportunities to do that,” said Pastor Wade, who helps oversee the school. “It’s not just about raising money. We want people to come and be able to learn about what we’re doing and what we offer, because obviously we believe in it and we want as many folks in the community to know about what we’re doing.” On Sunday, Dr. Bob Pitman will lea

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CASEYVILLE — A pickup truck crashed into the lobby area of a Hardee's restaurant on Petroff Drive Wednesday evening, April 30, 2025, prompting an emergency response from the French Village Fire Department and Caseyville Police Department. At 7:42 p.m. Wednesday, the French Village Fire Department was dispatched to 8850 Petroff Drive in Caseyville following reports of a vehicle collision with the Hardee's building. Upon arrival, responders found the pickup truck had struck the restaurant's lobby. Officials confirmed that no one was trapped inside the vehicle or the building, and no injuries were reported. As a safety measure, the Hardee's was evacuated and will remain closed until necessary repairs are completed.

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EDWARDSVILLE — Spencer Homes and Remodeling of Edwardsville, Illinois, is celebrating its 20th year in operation. Founded in 2005, the company has grown from an independent, owner-led operation to a thriving homebuilding, development and remodeling company with a dedicated team of employees. Having navigated the challenges of the 2007–2009 recession and COVID, Spencer Homes continuously adapts and perseveres. A significant milestone in the company’s growth came in 2012–2013 when Spencer Homes welcomed its first two employees, Dustin Radick and Michelle Langley. Both are appreciated for their loyalty and longevity to the company. Eight years in, the company began developing its own neighborhoods in the Metro East, starting with Brookshire Hamlet in 2013, followed by Cloverdale in 2016. By 2018, Spencer Homes reached O’Fallon, Illinois, building within the Augusta Greens community and developing The Enclave at Augusta Greens. This year, Spencer Homes will

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ALTON — The Alton Police Department and Alton Fire Department responded Thursday afternoon to a reported shooting on the 3200 block of Belle Street. Upon arrival, first responders found a victim who had been shot in the leg on the side of Belle Street in Alton. The Alton Fire Department transported the victim by ambulance to a hospital in St. Louis. The Alton Police Department is currently investigating the shooting. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said the victim in the case suffered "non-life-threatening injuries" in the shooting. "The investigation has revealed this is an isolated incident with the victim being the intended target," Ford added. Anyone with info is encouraged to call (618) 463-3505, extension 624. No other police information about the shooting was released at this time.

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ALTON — Mike Parsons, director of public works for the City of Alton, and Alton Mayor David Goins recently appeared on C.J. Nasello's Our Daily Show! and outlined ongoing infrastructure projects and challenges facing the city, highlighting the critical role of funding and collaboration in addressing street repairs, flood mitigation, and community development. Since 2021, the city has utilized American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to prioritize equipment purchases and street maintenance, with Parsons noting that “some big streets in Alton had been in bad shape for a while.” Early projects under Parsons focused on major thoroughfares such as Bloomer Drive and Union Street between Liberty and Central in Alton, where teams worked to repave as many streets as possible over the past three years. Parsons emphasized the importance of communication between residents, alderpersons, and public works, explaining that “if you call an alderperson or public works, public work

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CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker proclaimed May as Mental Health Awareness Month in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), and the Illinois Children's Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative (CBHTI) are highlighting the important resources offered to residents and families across the state. “Mental Health Awareness Month represents a time to reflect on how far we’ve come—and recommit to the work ahead,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Illinois is leading the way in confronting the mental health crisis head-on: we became the first state in the nation to ban prior authorization for inpatient mental health care, we’ve strengthened 988 call center services, expanded capacity, and launched a centralized care portal to connect people with the help they need. My administration remains fully committed to fighting for critical federal

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — James Townes Jr., 48, of the 11200 block of Cadigan Lane in St. Louis, was charged Wednesday with multiple counts of stealing, possession of forging instruments, and impersonating a notary public in connection with a scheme involving fraudulent property transfers, according to the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Townes faces four counts each of stealing $25,000 or more, possession of a forging instrument, and acting as or impersonating a notary. He is being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond without the option of a 10% bond. A booking photo was not available. The charges stem from an investigation that began after a burglary call on Dec. 13, 2024, in the 6700 block of Silver Fox. During the investigation, officers discovered that Townes had filed false quitclaim deeds at the St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds Office, transferring ownership of several homes into his company’s name, Tied Tight Entertainment LLC, by forging previous

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WASHINGTON – On Law Day, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement in support of #ReaffirmTheOath—a grassroots effort that calls upon lawyers nationwide to publicly renew their commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law by reaffirming the oath they took when sworn in as attorneys. Law Day, which is observed on May 1, is a time to reflect on the importance of our legal system and the principles that strengthen our democracy. “We stand at a critical time in our nation’s history. The ideas that have long defined our country—the sanctity of our Constitution, the independence of our judiciary, and the fundamental belief that no one is above the law—are under attack. “Now, more than ever, we must recommit to our oath of upholding the Constitution. In such times as these, the ‘Reaffirm the Oath’ project is not merely a symbolic gesture. It

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ALTON - At the Alton Community Service League’s (ACSL) April Membership meeting, $7,800 in grants were approved to the nine applicants who submitted requests. Those organizations receiving grants this year are Thrive, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois, Alton Youth Symphony, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Alton Greater Choral Society, Juneteenth Celebration, Pride Incorporated, Madison Co. Extension, and AMH Health Foundation. Although the Alton Community Service League voted to discontinue its longstanding Gift Wrap Fundraiser last May, its members are grateful to all who supported our fundraisers this past year. Due to the success of ACSL’s Speakeasy Concert and Swing Dance held in February chaired by Jill Moon, and generous donations from Cora & Dave Miller, Nancy Wilson, and the Edwardsville Rotary Club, ACSL will have funds to carry over for next year’s grants and other beautification projects that the League may sponsor. The Alton Community Service League said it looks

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HARTFORD - Community members are invited to learn more about the Lewis and Clark expedition and 19th century life at the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site. Located at 1 Lewis and Clark Trail in Hartford, the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site will host their annual free Point of Departure Commemoration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, and Sunday, May 11, 2025. Attendees can interact with reenactors, presenters and artisans who will share more about life in the 1800s and the Lewis and Clark expedition. “This is the event at Lewis and Clark State Historic Site for the year,” said organizer Ben Pollard. “We want people to come back and be excited when they’re talking about history.” Pollard, Mike Bortko and Mike Kaufman have worked hard to organize this year’s Departure Day event. They are especially excited to welcome back Kurt Smith, who Bortko described as “the reigning Thomas Jefferson at Colonial Williamsburg.”

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EDWARDSVILLE – A break in the regular school schedule at Metro-East Lutheran High School allowed Shanna Covarrubias, Spanish teacher at MELHS, to take a group of students to Costa Rica to both immerse themselves in the language and serve the community. Covarrubias led a team of 21 students and five adults who traveled to San Ramon, Costa Rica, for a four-day service trip organized through Pura Vida, a mission organization based in Costa Rica. The group divided into three teams and spent a week hosting day camp programs for children in six different neighborhoods in San Ramon. “One team would go to a park, one would go to a basketball court, one would go to a soccer field, and we would do VBS (Vacation Bible School)-type programs for three hours,” Covarrubias said. “Then we would have lunch and then go to different locations in different neighborhoods in the afternoon and repeat the same program.” Through these weekly day camps, Pura Vida builds relationships

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BELLEVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that pavement patching on North Belt West from West Main Street to Illinois 161 in St. Clair County will require daytime lane closures beginning, weather permitting, Monday, May 5, 2025. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. The project is expected to be completed this summer. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer has appointed Jim Suelmann as interim director of streets, bringing experienced leadership to the Street Department, which is responsible for critical city services such as filling potholes, snow removal, towing abandoned vehicles, and collecting trash and recycling. Suelmann previously served as director of streets under four different mayors from 1985 until his retirement in 2006. A St. Louis native, he earned a degree in electrical engineering from Saint Louis University and served the U.S. Navy in Vietnam, where he was deployed twice. He later served in the U.S. Navy Reserves, retiring in 1992 as a commander. Suelmann first began working for the City of St. Louis as an electrical engineer in the Department of Public Utilities in 1978. He was named acting director of that department in 1983 before then-Mayor Vincent Schoemehl first named Suelmann director of the Street Department in 1985. “Jim Suelmann was trusted by St. Louis mayors

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MADISON COUNTY — Nine community volunteers have completed an intensive training program to become Tethered Technicians, equipping them to assist individuals experiencing street homelessness across Madison County. Hand Up Housing announced the conclusion of its latest Tethered Technician Team Member Training (T3) course, which spanned three weeks and included 12 hours of comprehensive instruction. The program focused on providing volunteers with practical skills in documentation, communication, and outreach necessary for effective engagement with vulnerable populations. Previous sessions covered assisting with identification documents, such as IDs and birth certificates from various states, as well as how to record detailed interaction notes to track needs and patterns over time. The final class emphasized field application of outreach techniques, safety protocols, and preparation of outreach kits containing wound care supplies donated by the Madison County Health Department.

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JERSEYVILLE – An agreement for the next phase of Hollow Avenue improvements in Jerseyville is on hold for now as the City Council awaits more information. Council members on Tuesday tabled a professional engineering services agreement with Bartlett & West Inc. for the third stage (termed the “construction stage”) of the Hollow Avenue Roadway Improvement Phase 2 Project. Improvements during this stage will span from West Hickory Street to Waggoner Avenue. Mayor Kevin Stork said the item was tabled because “some of the information didn’t come in on time,” scheduling it for reconsideration at the council’s next meeting on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. While the agreement itself has been tabled, Public Works Director Bob Manns said bids were recently opened for the project, which is estimated to total $2.3 million. He named Baxmeyer Construction as the current lowest bidder with a bid of about $2 million, putting them in the lead so far to secure the

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ALTON — Alton Police Officer Luke Atkinson graduated from the Southwestern Illinois College Police Academy on Tuesday, marking a significant step in his law enforcement career. The Alton Police Department announced his accomplishment and welcomed him as he starts the Field Training Program under the guidance of a Field Training Officer. Lieutenant Michael O’Neill, who leads the department’s Support Services Division, represented the department at the graduation ceremony. The Alton Police Department expressed pride in Officer Atkinson’s achievement and looks forward to his service in the community. Officer Atkinson’s progression through the academy and into field training reflects the department’s ongoing commitment to developing skilled officers to serve Alton residents.

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GRANITE CITY - Granite City High School hosted a First Responders Career Fair recently, in the Annex Gym, featuring representatives from 17 different agencies. The event provided students with an opportunity to explore various career paths in emergency services and learn about the daily responsibilities of first responders. Participating agencies included local, state, and federal organizations such as the Granite City Police Department, Madison County Sheriff's Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s St. Louis Division. Federal law enforcement was represented by the United States Marshals Service from both Southern Illinois and Eastern Missouri. Other participants included the Madison County Coroner’s Office, Madison County Sheriff's Office 911 Office, and several fire departments including Granite City Firefighters Local 253, Mitchell Fire Rescue, and Long Lake Volunteer Fire Department. In addition to emergency response teams, the fair featured the United State

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