Area News
IDOT announces regional work ahead for this week
I-70 work set for April 14-16 near Pocahontas; work on Calhoun County’s Joe Page Bridge set for April 14-17 The Illinois Department of Transportation recently announced that lane restrictions will be encountered on eastbound Interstate 70 near Pocahontas beginning at 7 a.m. today Monday, April 14, weather permitting. The left lane will be closed between…
Read MoreInvestMidwest returns to region in early May
Celebrating 25 years, venture capital forum has helped Midwestern startups raise more than $5B Key takeaways: InvestMidwest returns to St. Louis May 6 – 7 at Angad Arts Hotel and Saint Louis University. The annual venture capital forum has helped more than 740 Midwestern companies raise a total of nearly $5 billion in funding. Around…
Read MoreIllinois EPA notifies 47 community water systems of right-to-know requirements triggered by recent rulemaking
PFAS chemicals detected in groundwater; systems, private well owners, and all residents are encouraged to be proactive in reducing PFAS exposure The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) is notifying the owners and operators of 21 Community Water Systems (CWSs) that there has been a detection of one or more Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)…
Read MoreNative American mascot ban clears the Illinois House, heads to Senate
Bill requires some K-12 schools to pick new mascots, team names, logos By BRIDGETTE FOX Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Illinois K-12 schools may soon be required to pick new mascots to replace those that reference Native American names and imagery. That would include logos, team names and mascots which 90 schools throughout…
Read More‘Chilling silence’: Waves of Illinois’ international university students lose their visas
Illinois hosts one of the largest international student populations in the nation, ranking fifth By JACKSON BRANDHORST, BRIDGETTE FOX, MOLLY PARKER, JULIA RENDLEMAN & LYLEE GIBBS Capitol News Illinois, Saluki Local Reporting Lab [email protected] The federal government has revoked the visas of some international students studying at universities across Illinois, but college administrators are…
Read MoreSupreme Court rules House Republicans waited too long to challenge maps
Republicans argued recent election cycles show maps illegally gerrymandered By BEN SZALINSKI Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Illinois House Republicans waited too long to file a lawsuit challenging legislative maps drawn in 2021, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled Wednesday (April 9, 2025). As a result, the Democrat-majority court will not hear the case.…
Read MoreFirefighting helicopter refill pump awarded “Coolest Thing Made in Illinois” in 2025
Made in Plano, the pump was recently used to fight wildfires in California By JADE AUBREY Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker announced the sixth annual winner of the “Makers Madness” contest Wednesday, April 9, in Springfield. Chosen in a bracket-style competition from a field of more than 250 products, MTH…
Read MoreFederal facilities in Alton, Mt. Vernon marked for accelerated disposition
By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE IBJ Managing Editor [email protected] The William L. Beatty Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Alton was recently marked for accelerated disposition by the U.S. General Services Administration. Located at 501 Belle Street, the facility serves as a Social Security Administration office and also houses the Office of Surface Mining. Constructed in…
Read MoreUpcoming IDOT community workshops share funding opportunities for local projects
Special Programs Assistance Conferences scheduled statewide into June The Illinois Department of Transportation is hosting 18 workshops throughout the state to help local governments and communities learn about and apply for funding opportunities. The Special Programs Assistance Conferences are designed to help potential grantees take part in the department’s Economic Development Program, Illinois Transportation Enhancement…
Read MoreRep. Schmidt selects Wisper ISP as ‘Business of the Month’ for March
State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) recently honored Wisper ISP as his “Business of The Month” for March 2025. Rep. Schmidt presented an official certificate to CEO Nathan Stooke while visiting his company for a meeting and tour. In 2003, Nathan Stooke helped his neighbor obtain internet access and realized several others around his rural area…
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