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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and 42 of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and Vice Chair Susan Collins (R-ME), urging them to reject any new poison pill policy riders in the fiscal year (FY) 2024 appropriations bills, including the anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-abortion policy provisions that House Republicans inserted into their appropriations bills. “The Senate has had tremendous success both passing bipartisan bills in committee and on the Senate floor because these bills are free of new poison pill riders,” the Senators wrote. “Unfortunately, the House appropriations bills are filled with new highly partisan provisions, including anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ riders, that should be removed from any final appropriations bills.” These extreme, poison pil

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate floor on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, and called for leadership to address the immediate suffering and longer term needs for a two-state solution. During his speech, Durbin also remembered the victims of the October 7 th horrific Hamas terrorist attack and called for all remaining hostages to be released—including Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who has ties to Illinois. Durbin repeated his warning that Israel not make the same mistakes in a cloud of rage that the U.S. did after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. He also called on the Israeli government to alleviate the mounting humanitarian toll inflicted on the people of Gaza, a distressing number of them children. “This Hamas attack was a reminder that there are still those who do not recognize Israel’s right to exist and their right to self-defense. But it also raised larger questions about how Israel should defend itself

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ALTON - The Alton Community Unit School District #11 (ACUSD11) Board of Education voted unanimously to approve Dr. Brian Saenz as the new Alton Middle School principal during the Board’s regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. Saenz will replace Dr. Cindy Inman, the current middle school principal, effective July 1, 2024. “It seems like it’s full circle because I started in the middle school and I’m coming back to the middle school, so a lot of the parents I had in middle school, now I have their kids in elementary,” Saenz said during the meeting. “So it’s exciting for me to continue all the initiatives that Dr. Inman has been working on at the middle school. It’s even more exciting for me to see some of the kids that I have coming up through elementary and kids I’ve had in the past, to see them through middle school into high school. So I thank you for the opportunity and appreciate it.” Saenz has worked with

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CHICAGO – Illinois Lottery players have a chance to become a multi-millionaire this holiday as the Powerball jackpot jumps to $572 million for tonight’s drawing. This is the fourth Powerball jackpot to surpass the half-a-billion-dollar mark in 2023. No one has hit the jackpot since October 11, 2023, when a lucky ticket holder in Frazier Park, California claimed the second-biggest jackpot in lottery history - a mouth-watering $1.765 billion. You could be next! With over 7,000 Illinois Lottery retailers across the State, lottery players can conveniently pick up a ticket at their local store - or they can login to the Illinois Lottery website or app and purchase a ticket online. Powerball tickets are $2 each, and players have the option to add the Powerplay for an additional $1 for the chance to multiply non-jackpot prizes. Powerball drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 9:59 p.m. (CT).

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EDWARDSVILLE - Plummer Park in Edwardsville is one step closer to getting a championship pickleball court, thanks in part to a $135,000 donation from One More Game (OMG) Pickleball Club. The new court will allow Edwardsville to host regional pickleball tournaments while providing more space for bleachers, concessions, practice/warm-up areas, and more. Edwardsville City Council members unanimously approved a donation agreement to accept the donation at their meeting on Tuesday. Alderwoman Elizabeth Grant recognized OMG for their continued generosity. “This is a $135,0000 donation over seven years for the championship court at Plummer Family Park,” Grant said. “It’s not the first time OMG has helped us out and we’re excited about their generosity.” OMG Pickleball Club previously fundraised and donated $60,415 to help fund the installation of new sports lighting at the Plummer Park pickleball courts, which helped lower the cost to the city

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HARDIN - A Baylis, IL., man has been arrested on aggravated battery and other charges. Calhoun County Deputy Sergeant Zach Hardin provided this narrative: "On December 14, 2023, the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office was notified by West-Central Illinois 911 dispatch, of a Domestic Disturbance and possible Home Invasion in Progress, on the 200 block of High Street, Kampsville in Calhoun County." Hardin responded to the scene and began an investigation. Sergeant Hardin was assisted by Law Enforcement officials from various neighboring agencies. After an investigation, Zachary N. Schwalb, age 31, of Baylis, Illinois, was arrested for the following offenses: Aggravated Battery Domestic Battery (Two Counts) Criminal Damage To Property (Over $500) Criminal Damage To Property (Less than $500) Schwalb was arrested without incident and was booked into the Greene County Jail and is currently being held without Bond. Schwalb was recently released from Mandatory Supervised Release (Parole)

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Greetings! As we head into the final week of this year, I want to sincerely thank you for allowing me to serve as your State Senator for the 56 th District. Nearly 12 months ago, I took an oath of office to represent our community and this experience has been an incredible honor. I spent much of January through May in Springfield engrossed in the legislative process. There is no handbook for “how to be a Senator” and it’s often viewed as “drinking from a firehose.” Our days started early, ended late, and were filled with nonstop action. From early meetings, or breakfasts, to committee meetings, and floor action, any time gap we had was filled with meeting with constituents, support groups and doing “homework” each night reviewing legislation or bill drafts. This year I was appointed to six Senate Committees serving as the Minority Spokesperson on the Local Government Senate Committee. I also served as a member on the Energy and Public Utilities

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Public Safety Enforcement Group (PSEG) announces the arrest of 37-year-old Travione M. Willis of Belleville, for First Degree Murder (Class M Felony) and two counts of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm (Class X Felony). On October 22, 2023, ISP DCI PSEG agents were requested by the East St. Louis Police Department to assist with a homicide investigation with multiple shooting victims that occurred in the 500 block of Missouri Avenue. One victim, 19-year-old Marshon Martin of East St. Louis, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Two additional victims were transported to area hospitals where they were treated for non-fatal gunshot wounds. After a thorough investigation, the case was presented to the St. Clair County State’s Attorney James Gomric, and the above-mentioned charges were filed against Willis on December 4, 2023. On December 19, 2023, the United States Marshal

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BLOOMINGTON - A proposal to change the IHSA football scheduling format to eight districts in all eight classes was voted down by member schools in voting, of which the results were released on Tuesday afternoon. The proposal, which would have seen all football-playing schools divided into eight districts, was rejected 379-272, with 76 abstentions, during a voting period that ended on Monday night at midnight. The proposal, which would have begun in the 2024 season, would have had schools in each district play each other from weeks three through nine, with the top four teams in each district qualifying for the playoffs. It would have eliminated traditional conference set-ups, and in some cases, long-standing rivalries that have done much to enhance the sport's appeal over the years. "The IHSA Board of Directors has already had discussions about the potential of forming a football ad-hoc committee in 2024 in the event that this district proposal failed to pass," said IHSA Executive

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding reports that the Japanese-based Nippon Steel Corp. has agreed to purchase U.S. Steel, the parent company of Granite City Works in the Metro East. U.S. Steel, the Pittsburgh steel producer that played a key role in the nation’s industrialization, is being purchased by Nippon Steel in an all-cash deal valued at approximately $14.1 billion. The overall transaction is worth about $14.9 billion when including the assumption of debt. “I’ve been fighting for years to save jobs at Granite City Works. And I’ve been troubled by announcements over the last several years about reducing production and slashing jobs at this plant. With the recent news that U.S. Steel will be purchased by Japanese-based Nippon Steel Company - despite the concerns of its workforce — even more questions and concerns are raised. “The United States used to lead the

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The Catholic Diocese of Peoria was established in 1875. Bishop Louis Tylka serves at the ninth Bishop of the Diocese of Peoria. The Diocese serves nearly 135,000 Catholics across 26 counties located in North Central Illinois. The Diocese of Peoria has 156 parishes, 13 hospitals, 36 Catholic elementary schools, six Catholic secondary schools and two Catholic PK-12 schools. More information can be found at cdop.org. Building on their 147-year legacy, The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis have aligned with the Diocese of Peoria to create a Diocesan Public Juridic Person. This step ensures OSF HealthCare continues as a faithful Ministry of the Catholic Church and serves all with the greatest care and love. “The Sisters have always had a special and collaborative working relationship with the Bishops of Peoria,” said Sister Judith Ann Duvall, O.S.F., Chairperson of the Boards, OSF HealthCare. “At this time in our history, it seems to be a natural transition

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Tuesday, December 19, 2023, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on suspect Joshua Simmons-Pollard, 25 years of age, of the 6100 block of Lucille Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri 63136, for Burglary Second Degree and Stealing $750 or More. A booking photo of Simmons-Pollard is attached. Simmons-Pollard is being held on $30,000 cash only, no 10%, bond. Please note, charges are merely an accusation and Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. The probable cause statement reads: On December 6, 2023, a jewelry store at 11563 was burglarized, wherein items of jewelry were taken after two subjects were hiding around the store and one of them broke into the front of the store by breaking the glass out. Police received a call for a suspicious vehicle parked nearby, and police discovered that a similar vehicle had been stopped for a traffic violation hours before this and another burglary. The

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville Township Board of Trustees pledged support for Edwardsville’s new Overnight Warming Location (OWL). The OWL provides critical overnight warming services and supplies to residents of all ages in Edwardsville Township. “As we enter winter, it is great to see this organization step forward to provide warm meals and a warm place to stay on our coldest nights,” said Township Supervisor Kevin Hall. “We see this as the Township’s initial support of a vital program to get off the ground and we have had discussions with the OWL leaders how best we can help their patrons.” The Board approved $1,000 in funds that will be used to purchase an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) and Personal Protect Equipment (PPE) along with covering the cost for their volunteer’s CPR Training and background checks. This equipment is essential for providing life-saving medical services to individuals at the OWL. "The Edwardsville OWL wil

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EDWARDSVILLE - At their regular meeting on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 (ECUSD7) Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the 2023 tax levy. “Madison County has forecasted a 9.6 increase for the Edwardsville School District, and the estimated tax rate will be $4.67,” explained Board Vice President Terri Dalla Riva during the finance committee report. Later in the evening, the Board voted unanimously to approve the levy. Members Kristen Pfund and Lynne Sanderson were absent. The vote followed numerous discussions over the past few months. Before voting, Board member Bob Paty clarified that the tax levy had not changed from the last time the Board discussed it during their regular meeting in November. Dave Courtney, the district’s chief financial officer/chief operations officer, responded that it had changed “just slightly” from the previous estimate. During the Nov. 27 meeting, Courtney explained

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EDWARDSVILLE - Every year one of the more special events of the holiday season in Edwardsville is the Edwardsville Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 244, "Christmas With A Cop" Day. This was the 14th year for the very special occasion and it took place Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at both Chick-fil-A on Troy Road, followed by a police escort to Target, complete with flashing lights and sirens. One of the Christmas With A Cop coordinators Jarrod Sprinkle said: "This is the thing that gets you right in the mood and the Christmas spirit. Some of the families have gone through some hard times and it is great for us to be able to help them out. "You can't beat it. More officers showed up Saturday than expected and more kids than planned and we made it work. There is a real need in the community and these guys stepped up and hit it out of the ballpark." Through the program this past Saturday, Edwardsville Police Department officers enjoyed breakfast and holiday shopping with 30 area children

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SPRINGFIELD – The minimum wage in Illinois is increasing on January 1st, 2024. Workers will see an increase of $1 per hour from $13 to $14. The minimum wage for tipped workers will rise to $8.40 per hour and youth workers (under 18) working fewer than 650 hours per calendar year will see their hourly wage increase to $12 per hour. “Since day one as Governor, I’ve made it my mission to put Springfield back on the side of working families,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With this new minimum wage increase, we are once again making Illinois a more affordable and equitable place to live for all of our residents.” “We're continuing to not only strengthen our workforce but sustain it by increasing the minimum wage. Leadership matters and we're proud to see our administration's sixth increase go into effect on January 1,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “As we continue our work to make Illinois the best state to live, work

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GLEN CARBON - The Glen Carbon Senior and Community Center was recognized by the Illinois Department of Aging for their work in serving older community members. On Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, Department of Aging Director Paula Basta presented the center with the 2023 Governor’s Engaging Aging Award. The center, located at 157 N. Main Street in Glen Carbon, is one of up to 13 organizations to be recognized this year. “This award is presented annually to a handful of community organizations throughout the state where you have gone above and beyond making a positive impact on the lives of older adults, and you can see that right here in this room,” Basta said. “You have a vibrant hub of programming. You have events, activities, social engagement. I heard there was belly dancing — I don’t know when, but I’m going to get out of here before that.” Basta noted the various programs and activities offered at the center, including yoga, art classes

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BETHALTO - A GoFundMe titled "Stand With Dan" has been established for well-known area photographer Dan Cruz of Bethalto. Dan had major surgery after a sudden spinal medical discovery last week and is in recovery. These are the comments from Kelsey Hawkins, who set up this GoFundMe to assist with Dan Cruz's huge medical expenses: "Dan is a son, a brother, a father, a grandfather, a talented photographer and a friend to many. If you don’t see Dan at courtside or the sidelines of a field somewhere capturing high school sports, you can find him cheering on his grandsons, Kaden and Jackson at their sporting events and or spending time with his granddaughters Rainah, Vada, and Rylah. "He always gave himself to be there for others. That being photographing those special sporting game moments, sharing his camera talents with aspiring local photographers, or lending a hand to a friend. You can always count on Dan! "On Wednesday, December 13, 2023, while capturing a basketball

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GRANITE CITY – Granite City High School had 13 students named 2024-25 State Scholars for their outstanding academic achievement, as announced by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). The students will be recognized at the Granite City Community Unit School District #9 School Board Meeting on January 23, 2024. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission , the state’s college access and financial aid agency, presents this important recognition of academic achievement to exceptional Illinois high school students annually. This year, nearly 16,700 honorees join the other outstanding students who have been honored since the designation was first introduced in 1958. The 2024-25 designation applies to the year students will begin their postsecondary education. The Illinois State Scholar program is awarded to high school seniors based on ACT or SAT test scores, the sixth semester class size, unweighted class rank and grade point average. 2024-25 GCHS Illinoi

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ALTON - Angela and Amoriah Gray of "Amoriah's Blessings" hosted a "Come On Barbie, Let's Go Paint Party" for the YWCA Southwestern Illinois Girls Circle Christmas Party on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. Angela and Amoriah provided all paint materials, a Barbie canvas to take home, Barbie T-shirts for a staff member and two student volunteers, self-esteem and boundaries enrichment lessons, swag bags, and a Barbie box photo and selfie station. “My daughter and I facilitated a Barbie Paint party for the YWCA Southwestern organization,” Angela said. “The girls were engaged and involved.” She added that booking information for Barbie parties or other workshop ideas can be found at amoriahlove.com . The Girls Circle Program is a free structured support group for girls and youth who identify with female development from 10-16 years of age. Girls Circle integrates relational theory, resiliency practices, and skills training in a specific format designed to increase

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