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WASHINGTON D.C. – On Monday, October 16th, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will travel to Kankakee, Illinois. There, he will visit a local family farm with U.S. Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Congressman Jonathan Jackson, and Illinois Director of Agriculture Jerry Costello where they will highlight progress made in partnering with farmers and American businesses to increase innovative domestic fertilizer production, making it easier for U.S. farmers to grow food through the practice of double cropping. These actions are part of a broader set of commitments made in 2022 by President Biden and Secretary Vilsack in Kankakee to help producers boost production and address global food security.?The Fertilizer Production Expansion Program is also part of a government-wide effort to promote competition in agricultural markets. Secretary Vilsack will also highlight other efforts under the Biden-Harris Administration through historic investments, including the American Rescue

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reports that on October 10, a suspected case of measles was reported by Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) to IDPH. The case, involving an unvaccinated individual with exposure internationally, was confirmed by the IDPH laboratory on October 11. IDPH is working with CCDPH to identify potential exposure locations in the U.S. The case’s rash onset was identified as October 9; therefore, the infectious period would be between October 5 through October 13. Prior to this case, the last measles case in Illinois was identified in 2019. Most people are vaccinated routinely in childhood and are not at high risk. Of most concern are people who have not been vaccinated. Individuals who think they have been exposed should check with their health care provider about protection through prior vaccination or the need for vaccination. Symptoms of measles include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes.

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) said today that although data indicates COVID-19 hospitalizations are at a low level across the state, Illinoisans should not wait to protect themselves from the COVID-19 virus and other respiratory illnesses. According to the CDC’s national COVID Data Tracker , as of the week ending September 30, all Illinois counties are currently at a low level for COVID-19 hospitalizations and the total number of hospitalizations for the week was at 566, down almost 14 percent from the previous week. As fall begins, IDPH is continuing to closely monitor data on COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses including flu and RSV. “As the leaves begin to change and fall is in full swing, now is the best time to protect yourself and your loved ones from the three respiratory viruses that caused last year’s tripledemic,” said IDPH Director, Dr. Sameer Vohra. “I am happy to report that all Illinois counties are

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HAMEL – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that pavement repairs on Illinois 4 between Interstate 55 and Illinois 143 will begin today, Oct. 12, and require intermittent lane closures. Flaggers will maintain two-way traffic. 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 by the end of November. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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CHICAGO - Governor JB Pritzker issued the following statement following recent charges against a Plainfield man accused of murder, attempted murder and hate crimes: “To take a six-year-old child’s life in the name of bigotry is nothing short of evil. Wadea should be heading to school in the morning. Instead, his parents will wake up without their son. This wasn’t just a murder—it was a hate crime. And every single Illinoisan — including our Muslim, Jewish, and Palestinian neighbors —deserves to live free from the threat of such evil. Today, MK and I join our Muslim and Palestinian brothers and sisters in mourning this tragic loss and praying for the recovery of Wadea’s mother. May Wadea Al-Fayoume’s memory be a blessing.” The Illinois State Police are coordinating statewide law enforcement communications and activity in response to the elevated level of threats of violence and hate crime related to the current conflict in the Middl

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul urged the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit to reverse a lower court’s decision that halted implementation of Hawaii’s prohibition on carrying firearms in and around parks, beaches, banks, financial institutions, parking areas adjacent to government buildings, and bars and restaurants serving alcohol. Attorney General Raoul and District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb co-led a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief to support Hawaii’s designation of these places as sensitive places where individuals cannot carry handguns. “States retain the ability to enact reasonable restrictions on where firearms can and cannot be carried in public spaces,” Raoul said. “I will continue to advocate against the scourge of gun violence that has become common in too many communities around Illinois and across the nation.” In their brief, Raoul and the coalition argue the Second

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CHICAGO — Illinois joined Indiana and Michigan in announcing a $1 billion federal funding award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the Midwest Hydrogen Hub, which is a network that enables decarbonization through strategic hydrogen use and will reduce carbon emission by approximately 3.9 million metric tons per year. “The fight against climate change and the path toward a sustainable future require innovative solutions,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Through this collaborative partnership with our neighbors and with the federal government’s support, we will foster a healthy economic environment for the hydrogen production market, while creating more clean energy jobs and lowering emissions across the region.” The DOE award builds on Illinois’ landmark Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which set a national standard for aggressive decarbonization goals by pledging to be completely reliant on clean energy by 2050. The Midwest Hydrogen

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ALTON - The Downtown Alton Chili Cook-Off welcomed the chilly weather and brought together businesses and community members for some friendly competition on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. The Cook-Off, a longtime tradition in Alton, invited businesses, organizations, individuals and restaurants to compete for the best chili recipe. The nonprofit Alton Main Street sponsored the event this year as a fundraiser for their organization, which aims to revitalize downtown Alton and foster community spirit. “This is our biggest fundraiser of the year for Alton Main Street, and so we really appreciate all the organizations and businesses and individuals that come out and participate in this to help us raise some funds to keep downtown Alton on the map,” said Sara McGibany, the nonprofit’s executive director. This year, 14 teams were set up at the Lodge at the Lovejoy . Attendees could taste each batch of chili while enjoying live music from Big George Jr. and the NG

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CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) launched $2.5 million in funding for the new Illinois Economic Empowerment Centers Program (EEC). Eligible career education agencies and non-profit organizations can now apply to serve as EECs to provide entrepreneurship training to prepare individuals from historically marginalized communities to pursue business opportunities in a more inclusive business ecosystem. EECs will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process. “Illinois is stronger when every individual has equitable opportunities to thrive,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “That’s why I’m proud to launch $2.5 million in funding to uplift communities that have historically lacked access to business resources and guidance while facing significant barriers to entry. Our new Illinois Economic Centers Program will provide a comprehensive business support

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CHICAGO — Joined by educators, lawmakers and advocates, Governor JB Pritzker announced today that the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) is launching a paid trainee program to build a pipeline of tech talent to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals and diversify the agency’s workforce. “As Governor, I’m determined to make sure every Illinoisan can access good jobs — the kind that pays the bills and also supports the dreams of their families,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We are launching an IT trainee program to build a pipeline of tech talent to meet the growing demand for skilled tech professionals and diversify our state’s tech workforce. From creation to consumption, Illinois is paving the way in the digital economy for all our residents.” Trainees will receive a minimum yearly salary of $54,000 from DoIT while pursuing tracks in one of five high-need concentration areas: cybersecurity, networking,

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ALTON - In Alton Main Street’s Chili Cook-off held Saturday at Elijah P’s, iMerge Community Center’s chili was voted best among entries in the organization category. This was iMerge’s inaugural entry in the annual contest. Key participants were iMerge’s executive director, Brigit Holt; program director, Ana Montoya; volunteers Charley Holt and Jake Hausman. Holt said: "A huge thank you goes out to all of our volunteers and participants who came to help us serve up our chili to so many tasters from near and far, as well as the organizers who put on an amazing event. It was such a fun day." iMerge runs esports and weekly open-play programs for area kids in the Riverbender.com building at 200 W. Third Street, Alton. The center is also available for private event rentals. Information, tickets and reservations are available at iMergeCommunityCenter.org .

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CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS), and the Illinois State Police (ISP) are closely monitoring the conflict in the Middle East and potential threats here in Illinois. The Governor has been briefed by both agencies and the White House. The Governor instructed both agencies to work closely with law enforcement partners and to be on heightened alert for any threats related to places of worship across the state to protect First Amendment rights and the safety of worshippers. At this time, there is no actionable intelligence regarding any credible threats in Illinois. However, as always, if members of the public see something, they are encouraged to say something. The public should report suspicious behavior to local law enforcement by calling direct or to 911 depending on the level of the threat. “As Governor of Illinois, it is my top priority to keep our residents safe and we are closely monitoring

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CHICAGO – As the Israeli-Hamas conflict continues, the Illinois State Police (ISP) continues coordinating statewide law enforcement communications and activity in response to the elevated level of threats of violence and hate crimes related to the current conflict. ISP reminds the public of the importance of remaining vigilant against hate crime activity and potential terrorism. “Everyone in Illinois- both law enforcement and community members alike- must remain on guard against both terrorism and hate crimes during this period of volatility,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “If you see something, say something, before it’s too late.” ISP continues its outreach to Muslim and Jewish communities in Illinois to communicate with and support religious leaders being impacted by the current threat environment. Intelligence sharing and communication with our local and federal partners continues around the clock with all of ISP’s assets

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EDWARDSVILLE – The agenda for Wednesday’s Madison County board meeting includes a discussion about the removal of Charlotte Dixon from the Metro East Sanitary District Board of Commissioners. “Dixon’s recent votes to create an unnecessary $108,000/year job, and then give the Executive Director Rick Fancher a raise are the reasons I’m again calling for Dixon’s removal from the board,” Prenzler said. The MESD board, on Sept. 19, voted to hire retired Granite City Police Chief Mike Nordstrom at $100,000/year, plus another $8,000/year for “not taking health insurance.” The board also voted to give Fancher a raise to $111,240/year. Commissioner Charlie Brinza cast the sole vote against both actions of the board. Prenzler submitted a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request to MESD asking for Nordstrom’s job description and application, but was told there was “nothing on file.” Twice this year, after her term expired

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ROXANA - It’s been a season to remember for the Roxana Shells on the football field as the Shells are now 8-0 overall. A perfect start, ranked in state, a very deep Shells football team has been lighting up the scoreboard so far this fall. Junior Kael Hester has been making his presence felt during this memorable season for his team. Hester is a starting tight end on the 2023 Shells team. “Talk about unsung,” said DeVries of Hester, specifically remembering 2022. “Last year my left tackle got into a car accident, and (Kael) was a backup tight end and all a sudden I threw a new jersey on him and he started at left tackle for eight games.” “Now his job is 98% blocking, and 2% catching the ball.” Even if his job is just 2% catching the ball, Kael has racked up over 150 yards through seven games, mostly coming on big plays. With a handful of TDs from the tight end spot, Hester is still a constant threat to find the endzone in the fast-paced and

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CHICAGO, October 13, 2023 – Residents in the small town of Woodhull (population of 750) are buzzing with excitement after a $3 million winning Illinois Lottery ticket was purchased at a local gas station. A lucky Illinois Lottery player purchased a 200X Payout Instant Ticket for $30, and scored the top prize of $3 million. The winning ticket was purchased at a BP gas station, located at 111 NW 5th St in Woodhull, which is 30 miles southeast of Moline, and 65 miles northwest of Peoria. “I am so excited but still can’t believe it!” exclaimed Jennifer Damer, store manager at the BP in Woodhull. “It’s so surprising to me that our local, little gas station sold a ticket that won such a big prize!” “We are the go-to stop for many townfolk, including farmers who live nearby and truck drivers passing through,” added Damer. “Most of them even sit for a while and enjoy our freshly-made breakfast biscuits and chat about the news an

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BETHALTO - BCUSD#8 Bethalto East Primary School was recently recognized by Solution Tree as a Promising Practices Professional Learning Community at Work® for its initial success in raising student achievement. District 8’s commitment to implementing the PLC at Work process has been a major contributing factor in making a visible, positive impact on student learning. PLCs are schools and districts in which educators recognize that the key to improved learning for students is ongoing, job-embedded learning for the adults who serve those students. The three big ideas of a PLC call upon educators to: 1. Focus on learning 2. Build a collaborative culture 3. Create a results orientation Responding to news of the recognition, Dr. Racheal Leckrone, Bethalto East Principal, said, “We are very excited to see our collective efforts come to fruition in the form of student achievement results. Staff have remained focused on our mission to work collaboratively and achieve high

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – As millions of families continue to be at risk of infection during the fall and winter months, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) is urging the President and CEO of America’s Health Insurance Plan (AHIP) to help increase widespread access to nirsevimab for prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) under many common health insurance coverage plans for infants and children. With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) already notifying our nation’s healthcare providers that RSV activity is spreading, increased access could help ensure that hundreds of millions of Americans can receive the high quality, affordable care they need and prevent RSV infection. In her letter, the Senator wrote: “I write to urge you to work with your members, who are health insurance providers across the country in every market, to increase access to nirsevimab for prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in all … infants younger than

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is releasing the first Illinois Law Enforcement Response to Homelessness Guidebook (Guidebook). The Guidebook is designed to provide law enforcement agencies and officers across Illinois with practical community resources, planning tools, training resources, and policy examples to help create a safer and more inclusive environment for all residents, including people experiencing homelessness (PEH). “Law enforcement officers respond to all types of emergencies and social-service related calls among all populations, including people experiencing homelessness,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “Because of these interactions, officers are in a position to provide information about resources and programs available in communities, and help connect individuals to longer-term solutions to prevent and end homelessness.” When responding to calls, police officers face contributing factors to homelessness

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As we enter fall, the emails from your workplace or pharmacy may start to pop up in your inbox. “It’s time for a flu shot!” But how early is too early to get the yearly jab? It depends, says Jason Kole, DO, an emergency department provider at OSF HealthCare. Dr. Kole says every influenza season is different. When will it peak? What will be the dominant strain of the virus? How effective will the flu vaccine be against that strain? Plus, Dr. Kole says, health care providers are still devoting time to treating COVID-19 patients. “If actually hits the strain of flu that’s prevalent during that season, then the flu season’s going to be relatively mild,” Dr. Kole says. “If it doesn’t hit that strain, then we’re going to have a heavy flu season.” “We’re all going to have to stay on our toes and make sure we’re well prepared,” Dr. Kole adds of the upcoming flu season. Dr. Kole recommends

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