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WEST ALTON - The Audubon Center at Riverlands celebrated the winter solstice with a silent sunrise meditation on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. About a dozen people came to the center, located at 301 Riverlands Way in West Alton, Missouri, to mark the first day of winter and enjoy the sunrise at 7:16 a.m. on Thursday. Ashley Lockwood is an educator at the center, which specializes in birds through the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary. She noted that the winter solstice is significant to people for various reasons, but it also marks the return of many birds to the Riverbend area. “The winter solstice is especially important for us because it has a lot to do also with when the birds are returning to us,” Lockwood explained. “As a sanctuary, we see a lot of change in migration throughout the year, and so the winter solstice, not only is it signaling that the days are lengthening, but it’s also telling us that we’re actually officially entering the winter

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TROY – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that U.S. 40 between Triad Lane and the Illinois 162/U.S. 40 intersection in Madison County is scheduled to reopen, weather permitting, by tomorrow evening, Thursday, Dec. 21. The $1 million project consists of bridge deck joint repairs and replacement on the Silver Creek Bridge. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment. Over the next six years , IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,000 miles of highway and nearly 10 million square feet of bridge deck as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation. Accomplishments through Year Four of Rebuild Illinois included approximately $12.1 billion of improvements statewide on 5,339 miles of highway, 533 bridges and 762 additional safety improvements. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow

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SPRINGFIELD – Two laws taking effect January 1st, 2024, will expand leave rights for workers whose lives were impacted by violence. “In the wake of tragic loss, the last thing on an Illinoisan’s mind should be whether or not their job will still be there when they’re ready to return to work,” said Governor JB Pritzker.“Thanks to the amendments to the Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act and the establishment of the Child Extended Bereavement Leave Act, Illinoisans can take the time and space they need to grieve and gather with loved ones without worrying that their workplace will leave them behind in the process. This is a prime example of people affecting policy – and I couldn’t be more grateful to Laura Kane for her advocacy in our Statehouse.” “The loss of a loved one due to violence is a life-changing trauma. We have a responsibility to lead with empathy and compassion in the wake of such heartache,”

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office obtained a guilty plea from a former assistant Coles County state’s attorney for misconduct involving interactions he had in his official capacity with Coles County women who were prosecuted by the state’s attorney’s office. Brady Allen, 34, of the Metro East area, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted official misconduct based on bribery, both Class A misdemeanors. Coles County Circuit Court Judge Mitchell Shick sentenced Allen to 120 days in the Coles County Jail and two years of probation. Allen is also required to pay $5,000 in fines in addition to court costs. As part of his plea, Coles agreed to give up his law license and not contact his victims. The plea also gave the victims a chance to read impact statements, one of whom did so in court today at his sentencing. Formerly from Charleston, Illinois, Allen is required to turn himself in at the Coles County jail by Jan. 5. His next court appearance is

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GODFREY - Patty's Petals is a family-owned and operated business located in Godfrey since 2010. They are a full-service florist specializing in fresh and silk arrangements for any occasion. As of Nov. 3, 2023, you can find them at their new location at 3104 Godfrey Road. Patty Seymour was raised in Godfrey. Out of high school, Patty started working with flowers in 1971 under the guidance of designers John Lock and Toi Warner at Lock's Floral in Alton. Upon marriage to Terry, she lived in other parts of the country as he served in the military. After raising three children, Patty worked for Landmark Realty. After leaving Landmark, she wanted something to do, so she returned to her passion of floral design and started Patty’s Petals as a home-based business. Starting with a focus on silk arrangements for weddings, the business continued to grow through word-of-mouth referrals. Continued growth for eight years led to customers calling for fresh floral arrangements for a variety

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ALTON - Alton Little Theater (ALT) in Alton, Illinois, is excited to announce an innovative showcase of three riveting plays for presentation in January 2024, offering a unique blend of drama and storytelling that is sure to captivate audiences. First in the lineup is " Two Rooms " by Lee Blessing, directed by Kristy Doering. Scheduled for three evening performances from January 11th to 13th, the play focuses on the complexity of relationships, timely mirroring the profound events in Israel and Palestine. ALT's Executive Director, Lee Cox, who has a history of engaging with Blessing's work, eagerly embraced this script for its intense focus on human connections. Audiences will have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session after each performance, making for a truly interactive theater experience. Following "Two Rooms" is " Red Jasper " by Michael Madden, directed by Brant McCance, from January 18th through 21st. This play, a tribute to living life fully in the face of a cancer

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ALTON - Alton Dispensary President and CEO Jeremy Wysocki announced the dispensary is looking to relocate at the Alton City Council meeting on Wednesday. He also shared new details about the nearly $2 million theft of funds and product by their former management company which resulted in contract termination, retaliation, a lawsuit, and a 10-day shutdown of the dispensary . After suing former management group Subsero Alton Ops LLC for misappropriating $1.8 million in company funds and more, the dispensary was forced to shut down for 10 days while they restructured and eventually reopened. While it would seem the business had finally found its footing again, Wysocki said they’ve “grown tired of the constant barrage and attack we’ve been under.” “Unfortunately, our company was required to file a lawsuit against for fraud and other misconduct in connection with their misappropriation of approximately $140,000 in marijuana product that they moved

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ALTON - Every year, The Annual Alton Branch NAACP Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration event always has a remarkable guest speaker with a strong message. In January, with the theme, "Moving On Towards Freedom, Justice and Equality," Theme, Wesley Bell, Prosecuting Attorney for St. Louis County, Mo, will provide the event's keynote address. Bell was elected in 2018 and is the first African American to hold this office. President Leon Smallwood-Bey, the 2024 Dr. King Committee, and the Executive Committee of the Alton Branch National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) announced the event date as 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at Alton's Greater St. James Baptist Church, 2016 Belle Street in Alton. Smallwood-Bey said: "We will gather to honor Dr. King’s faith, love, and courage through song, community recognition, and a keynote address. The Riverbend Choir and vocalist Myles Jonathan Lacey will uplift us with musical selections. Alton’s NAACP Youth Council

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ALTON - The City of Alton will host DMV services at Alton City Hall, located at 101 E. 3rd Street, once a quarter starting on Jan. 18, 2024. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, Alton residents can get or renew identification cards, renew driver’s licenses, purchase registration stickers or complete the process to get a REAL ID. “On these designated mobile days, the community will have access to a wide array of DMV services, excluding the driving test,” the city said in a press release. “From license renewals to registration updates, the Alton City Hall will serve as a hub for residents to address their motor vehicle-related needs efficiently.” The quarterly mobile days will largely negate the need for Alton residents to travel to Bethalto or Edwardsville for DMV services. The City noted that this new program is a result of a “groundbreaking collaboration” between the City of Alton and the Illinois Secretary of State Office.

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul and the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) are urging the Illinois Supreme Court to overturn an appellate court’s opinion barring employees of a Chicago manufacturing company from recovering overtime wages and penalty fees they argue should have been paid. Raoul, along with the IDOL, filed an amicus brief in Mercado v. S&C Electric Company (S&C) to ensure that the Illinois Minimum Wage Law protects employees’ right to earn fair compensation for overtime hours worked, as well as their right to recover lost wages and penalties in court. “Employees deserve to receive fair wages they have earned from all their hours of work. They also have the right to recover penalties if their employer violates Illinois’ Minimum Wage Law,” Raoul said. “If the appellate court’s opinion is allowed to stand, employers could withhold overtime wages, provide them only on demand, and avoid paying any penalties. I urge the Suprem

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CHICAGO - Governor JB Pritzker today announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) has advanced the city of Decatur as a finalist for a grant to advance employment revitalization. The EDA also announced that the city of Springfield will receive planning dollars to develop a proposal for a similar award. The Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program, authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act, targets areas where prime-age (25-54 years) employment is significantly lower than the national average, with the goal to close this gap through flexible, locally driven investments. “The CHIPS Act and the Biden-Harris Administration continue to open doors for Illinois working families,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The Recompete Plan will help ensure economic development impacts every community, including those who have historically faced barriers to employment. The Springfield Economic Empowerment Project exemplifies that spirit,

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg urging him to strongly consider the Springfield Rail Improvements Project (SRIP) for federal rail grants in 2024, as the project was not awarded any federal support in 2023. SRIP, a joint effort between the City of Springfield, Sangamon County, and the Illinois Department of Transportation, aims to relocate all passenger and freight traffic from the Third Street Corridor to Tenth Street in Springfield. Durbin began his letter by recognizing the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) previous support for the project, including its most recent RAISE grant allocation in 2022. However, the final portion of the project, including building a new transportation center with train, bus, and parking access, cannot be completed without additional federal funding. Because SRIP was not a recipient of any 2023 DOT grants, the project will not be finalized in 202

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias rejected more than 304 vanity and personalized license plates this year that were deemed too obscene or defamatory. The Secretary of State’s office received 54,768 requests for vanity and personalized plates this year, including the 304 that were denied because of their inflammatory or offensive nature or because they were difficult to read. The rejected plate requests this year include: EATBUTT, BONER, MILFS, WOOPASS, POOPSY, DZNUTZ and IOWASUX. “I appreciate the creativity and pride Illinoisans take in choosing their own customized license plates, but they must meet the standards of good taste and decency,” Giannoulias said. “We keep an eye out for anything tawdry, lewd or offensive, all of which are rejected and placed on our permanent rejection list.” The Secretary of State’s Office oversees the process by which Illinoisans may request specific vanity or personalized license plates

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SPRINGFIELD – A new law going into effect on Jan. 1 is expected to eliminate the number of food deserts in Illinois’ communities, thanks to State Senator Christopher Belt. “There is no reason why individuals should struggle to find access to fresh food,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “We have communities all over the state that have this issue, and it’s time that is addressed.” In 2021, the Illinois Department of Public Health issued a study that found 807 census tracts are considered food deserts, meaning urban residents have to travel more than a half-mile and rural residents must travel more than 10 miles to get to the nearest grocery store. Under the new law, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is required to provide grants and other forms of financial assistance to grocery stores located in or to be located in a food desert. This aims to help mitigate the issue of food deserts across the state. “The Grocery Initiative

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today applauded President Biden for signing into law their bipartisan National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Extension Act, which reauthorizes relief for an additional four years for qualifying members of the National Guard and Reserves experiencing financial hardship. The legislation will protect a long-standing bipartisan carveout from means-testing restrictions in Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases. The legislation passed the House of Representatives and the Senate earlier this month. The bill was signed into law yesterday. “Declaring bankruptcy is a difficult choice for any American, and that option should be assessed using an accurate depiction of a person’s income and financial standing. Our National Guard members and reservists must not be penalized for any active duty pay

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ALTON - Alton Community Unit School District #11 held a Truth in Taxation hearing before their regular Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. Mary Schell, the district’s Director of Financial Services, explained the proposed 2023 tax levy to the Board and community members. “A Truth in Taxation hearing is held to let voters and taxpayers in the community comment on the proposed local property tax levy the district’s making for the current year taxes payable in the following year,” Schell said. “When the district’s proposed aggregate levy is greater than 105% of the prior year's aggregate extension, a Truth in Taxation hearing must be held…In summary, this Truth in Taxation hearing is taking place because the 2023 district aggregate levy, based on 15% increase in , exceeds the 2022 aggregate extension by more than 105%.” Schell explained that the levy is “simply an educated guess” about the projected amount

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GRAFTON - The kids are off from school and you have a few days of vacation before the holidays really start. If you’re looking for something fun to do, the City of Grafton has got you covered this weekend whether you want a family outing, a date night or a relaxing solo afternoon! You can always find good food and drinks at the many eateries, wineries and bars in town. Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, is the final day the famous Oyster Bar will be open until their season resumes in February, so stop by for some good Cajun cuisine and seafood. When you’re ready for dessert, Grafton Fudge and Ice Cream is a sure way to satisfy your sweet tooth. Located at 321 E. Main Street, the shop also has lots of candy for sugary stocking stuffers. Do you still have some last-minute shopping to do? There are plenty of great gift cards available for fun in Grafton, starting off with a super deal on Oyster Bar gift cards where you pay just $35 for a $50 card. Supplies are going

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EDWARDSVILLE — Give the gift of travel this holiday season. “Do you know someone who is in need of a passport?” Madison County Circuit Clerk Tom McRae asked. “If so, the Circuit Clerk’s Office can help.” McRae said he wants to remind the public about passport services offered by the office. “If you know someone who is planning a trip out of the country and doesn’t yet have their passport, consider bringing them to our office to apply for one,” McRae said. “It’s a gift that will keep on giving for the next 10 years.” The Circuit Clerk’s Office offers passport processing, including photo service. “It’s a one-stop for both the photo and the application process,” McRae said. The circuit clerk’s office began offering photo service six months ago after acquiring equipment specifically designed to take pictures for passports. McRae said the federal government routinely rejects passport

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 (ECUSD7) has replaced Dr. Rusti Blount as principal of Lincoln Middle School. Dr. Beth Renth will serve as interim principal until further notice. A spokesperson for the District said they are “unable to comment on personnel issues.” Blount had previously served as a principal with Seagraves School District in Texas and as an education professional on the Houston County Board of Education in Georgia. She took on the role of Lincoln Middle School principal in July 2022. Renth retired from ECUSD7 in December 2022 after serving as the principal of Worden Elementary School for 22 years. During the regular Board of Education meeting on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, Board President Jill Bertels made a motion to amend the meeting agenda to remove action item 9.13 “Approval Resolution to Dismiss and Authorize Notice of Dismissal of a Classified Employee.” The Board unanimously approved the motion.

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WOOD RIVER - Wood River City Council members are proceeding with caution to potentially pursue membership in the Illinois Main Street organization. After lots of questioning and discussion at Monday’s meeting, city officials’ hesitancy seemingly centers around an obligation to provide financial support to the organization for at least three years if they were to join. The agenda item in question concerns “a Letter of Intent with Wood River Business Alliance to pursue Main Street Affiliation and provide partnership and financial support for a minimum of three years.” The city’s financial obligation to the organization upon officially joining would amount to $25,000 per year for three years. The Wood River Business Alliance, formerly known as Wood River Economic Development, is an organization promoting new and existing small businesses in Wood River. Illinois Main Street is part of a larger national organization, Main Street America. According to

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