Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration and AFSCME Council 31— the largest union of Illinois state employees — have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract. Terms will be released after union members have the opportunity to review and vote on the tentative agreement at worksite ratification meetings to be scheduled in the coming day, the…

The National Weather Service predicts crests along the Illinois and Mississippi rivers in the coming week that could near historic levels. Madison County emergency management officials say agencies are starting to pre-position equipment near levees and the county has sent its sandbagging machine to Alton. Predictions are that the Mississippi River will crest there at…

McKendree University says it is working with Lindenwood University on a plan for Lindenwood students who wish to transfer, following the announcement of the discontinuation of daytime classes at the Belleville campus in 2020. McKendree, in Lebanon, and Lindenwood have identified course equivalencies in the following disciplines and undergraduate degree programs: accounting, advertising, public relations-corporate…

Spencer Homes, LLC will hold a grand opening event on June 9 at its new O’Fallon, Ill., properties, Augusta Greens and The Enclave at Augusta Greens. The site is just south of Far Oaks Golf Club at the corner of Old Collinsville Road and Milburn School Road, and the event will take place from 12:30…

For the first time in 26 years, the Alton Visitor Center, 200 Piasa St. in Downtown Alton, has been closed due to historic rising flood waters from the Mississippi River. The building, which sits at the intersection of U.S. 67 and Illinois Route 100 in Alton, is closed until further notice. “This is an unprecedented…

With urgent flooding situations along the Illinois and Mississippi rivers, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has activated approximately 200 Illinois National Guard soldiers for state active duty to assist with the state’s flood fight operations, his office announced Thursday morning. the governor urged all residents in affected communities to listen to the directions of first responders. “As…

A bill to legalize and regulate cannabis for adult use in Illinois passed in the state Senate Wednesday in a vote of 38-17. The bill, which removes several cannabis possession offenses from criminal histories, now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. State Sen. Rachelle Crowe, D-Glen Carbon, was one of two Democrats to…

Chairman Kurt Prenzler signed a proclamation on Wednesday declaring Madison County a major disaster and is calling for the National Guard to aid in its flood-fighting efforts. “We’ve been vigilant this flood season and we do not want to take any chances,” Prenzler said. Prenzler met with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau…

State Sen. Christopher Belt, D-Cahokia, announced that The New Broadview housing development project is one of the recipients of a federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. “The creation of The New Broadview will allow East St. Louis senior citizens to remain independent in their community,” Belt said. “Most essentially, this development will provide a reasonably priced…

Scott Credit Union has presented a $40,000 check to support The REC, Fairview Height’s new recreation complex for the next 10 years. Scott Credit Union will sponsor the “Little RECer’s Zone” at the new facility on Bunkum Road. Scott Credit Union Fairview Heights Branch Manager Lisa Lawary presented the check recently to The REC Facility…