New law provides free bus transportation for all East St. Louis School District students
The Illinois State Board of Education has issued its first approved transportation waiver since the adoption of HB5195 in late 2018. This bill allows qualifying schools to provide free bus transportation to students who reside in an area with high incidence of criminal gang activity. The East St. Louis School District is the first school…
Read MoreBristow to host gun rights update on March 5
To keep residents informed about legislation affecting their Second Amendment rights, state Rep. Monica Bristow, D-Alton, and the Illinois State Rifle Association will be hosting a gun rights update on Thursday, March 5, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Piasa Armory at 3685 East Broadway in Alton. “As a staunch supporter of our Second…
Read MoreSheriffs say new policy ‘aids and abets’ undocumented immigrants released after felony convictions
State Rep. Lindsay Parkhurst, R-Kankakee, joins Illinois sheriffs and fellow lawmakers at a Tuesday at a Capitol news conference to urge Gov. JB Pritzker to repeal a policy that prohibits communication and cooperation with federal, state and local authorities when an undocumented immigrant is released from prison on felony charges. (Capitol News Illinois photo by…
Read MoreSBDC, O’Fallon team on upcoming Google Analytics workshop
The Illinois Small Business Development Center, in partnership with the O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce and the city of O’Fallon, will be hosting a Google Analytics Livestream Workshop at O’Fallon City Hall (255 S. Lincoln Ave.,) on Tuesday, March 31. The workshop takes place from 1 to 2 p.m. with a presentation on how to master…
Read MoreLawmakers continue push for prescription drug price controls
Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, left, and Rep. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago, speak about their bill that would authorize the state to set maximum prices for certain high-cost prescription drugs Tuesday during a Statehouse news conference. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock) New board would set upper payment limits on high-cost medicines By PETER HANCOCK…
Read MoreAdvocates rally to end cash bail in Illinois
Senator calls initiative ‘the civil rights issue of the 21st century’ By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Criminal justice reform advocates rallied Tuesday at the Statehouse in hopes of making Illinois one of only a handful of states to eliminate cash bail in all or most criminal cases. Hundreds of people gather…
Read MoreFirst month’s legal marijuana sales generate $7.3 million in tax revenue
An additional $3.1 million comes from retail sales taxes on adult-use cannabis By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Revenue reported Monday that the first month of legalized adult-use cannabis sales in the state generated $7.3 million in cannabis tax revenue for the state, plus another $3.1 million in…
Read MoreATI Physical Therapy appoints two regional vice presidents
ATI Physical Therapy, a national provider of physical therapy services, announced the appointments of Matt Armiger and Shari Dropik-Hernandez as regional vice presidents for the Illinois and Southern regions. With Armiger leading Illinois and Dropik-Hernandez helming the South, the two will become part of a company-wide rollout of new RVP positions across the country. Working…
Read MoreFirst Bank selling 14 branches, including seven in Metro East
First Bank is selling 14 of its 94 branches to three banks. The company announced Monday that Royal Banks of Missouri will purchase two Illinois branches, located in Granite City and Jerseyville. Dieterich Bank will purchase five other Illinois branches, in Columbia, Red Bud, Chester, Waterloo and Breese. First State Community Bank will purchase seven…
Read MoreHarman named director of behavioral health nursing at Centerstone
Centerstone has named Jessica Harman, RN, as director of behavioral health nursing, based in Alton. Harman will be responsible for managing statewide psychiatric and medical resources, as well as the state’s Medication Assisted Treatment services for adults addicted to opiates. “In this role, Jessica will be able to pass on her knowledge and help guide…
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