Sign up now for SIUC’s 2025 Little Grassy Songwriter Retreat
Calling all music fans who are songwriters or would like to be. The third annual Little Grassy Winter Songwriter Retreat is coming to Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s scenic Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center Feb. 28-March 2, and registration is now underway. Poss Music Works, an Effingham nonprofit organization, and Touch of Nature are teaming up to offer the…
Read MoreGovernor, First Lady announce open applications for next Illinois Poet Laureate
New Poet Laureate will foster literary engagement and expand access to poetry across the state Governor JB Pritzker and First Lady MK Pritzker recently announced an open call for poets statewide to apply to be considered as the next Illinois Poet Laureate. The Illinois Poet Laureate is an honorary state position appointed by the Governor,…
Read MoreThis Super Bowl weekend, be a real MVP: Keep friends from driving under the influence
Super Bowl weekend is here, and the Edwardsville Police Department is reminding football fans and Super Bowl partygoers that designated drivers are the best defense against the dangers of impaired driving. If your Super Bowl celebration involves alcohol or cannabis, plan for a safe ride home with a sober driver. If you’re hosting the party,…
Read MoreSIU Carbondale, Taiwanese university reach pact for aviation, other opportunities
Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Chaoyang University of Technology (CYUT) in Taiwan recently entered into an agreement to promote collaborative academic, research and student exchange possibilities. The memorandum of understanding will initially involve SIU’s School of Aviation and CYUT but could extend into other academic areas, said Robert D. Morgan, dean of the College of Health…
Read MoreIllinois Gaming Board reported $1.7B in gaming tax revenue for 2024
At the Illinois Gaming Board’s (IGB’s) first meeting of the year, it reported that the State and local governments earned more than $1.7 billion in tax revenue (excluding December sports wagering numbers) from Illinois’ 16 licensed casinos, approximately 8,700 video gaming terminals, and 14 operating sportsbooks in 2024. The total revenue from Jan. 1, 2024,…
Read MoreIMPACT Strategies completes new residential campus for Hoyleton YFS
IMPACT Strategies recently completed the last phase of new construction with the Administration Building to serve the Hoyleton Youth and Family Services’ (HYFS) new campus, dubbed as “a momentous project for the organization and all the stakeholders that they serve.” The new campus replacing the original one built over 100 years ago provides a new…
Read MoreOne month in: Yoder’s first days as president at OSF Saint Anthony’s
By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE IBJ Managing Editor [email protected] OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center in Alton recently selected Zach Yoder, MHA, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, to serve as its next president. His role in this capacity began officially on Jan. 6, 2025. Yoder reports to OSF HealthCare Western Region CEO AJ Querciagrossa. “Zach will lead…
Read MoreTrump tariffs could impact hundreds of billions of dollars of trade in Illinois
Canada, Mexico are among Illinois’ top trading partners By BEN SZALINSKI Capitol News Illinois President Donald Trump’s plan to implement tariffs on key United States trading partners could affect more than $100 billion worth of goods imported to Illinois from Canada, Mexico and China. The countries were Illinois’ top trading partners in 2023, according to…
Read MoreI-55/64/70 lane restrictions in St. Clair County now begin next Saturday
The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that a lighting improvement project on Interstate 55/64/70 will require lane restrictions during the weekends beginning, weather permitting, Saturday, Feb. 15. To complete the work, lane restrictions in both eastbound and westbound directions of I-55/64/70 from the Mississippi River to east of the Interstate 64 (Tri-Level) interchange will…
Read MoreSenator Belt’s office hosts Valentine’s Day card drive for seniors
State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) recently announced that his office is collecting both store-bought and handmade cards for residents in long-term care facilities for Valentine’s Day. Individuals are encouraged to write kind notes and drop them off or mail them to Belt’s district offices, located at the Kenneth Hall Regional Office Building, 10 Collinsville Ave.,…
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