Area News
Legislative package introduced to provide relief to struggling homeowners
Illinois Senate Minority Leader John Curran (R-Downers Grove) and State Senator Erica Harriss (R-Glen Carbon) presented legislative solutions to help make buying and staying in a home more affordable in Illinois. Last year, first-time home buyers dropped to a record low of 21 percent of total purchases, while the average age of first-time buyers…
Read MoreHoffman partners with AG Raoul to strengthen Workplace Rights Bureau
State Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) is partnering with Attorney General Kwame Raoul on an initiative to strengthen the Workplace Rights Bureau, enhancing the bureau’s capabilities to investigate and prosecute violations of laws that protect Illinois workers. “Bad actors are taking advantage of loopholes, and it’s time to pursue updates that will reinforce our Workplace Rights…
Read MoreKaskaskia College, SIU Carbondale partner to expand access to agricultural bachelor’s degrees
Kaskaskia College and Southern Illinois University Carbondale have entered into a new partnership designed to expand access to affordable, high-quality agricultural bachelor’s degree options for students in southern Illinois. Beginning in the fall 2026 semester, students will be able to complete select agricultural bachelor’s degree pathways through a combination of in‑person and hybrid courses…
Read MoreBelt’s measure to provide owner relief when vehicles fail emissions test
State Senator Christopher Belt introduced a measure that would give drivers more flexibility when renewing their vehicle registrations while still complying with state emissions testing requirements. “Right now, people are losing their jobs because they can’t legally drive over a failed emissions test,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “No one should be shut out of work or…
Read MoreSix Flags St. Louis among 7 parks to be sold to EPR Properties
By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE Managing Editor, Illinois Business Journal [email protected] It has been officially announced that Six Flags St. Louis is among seven park properties to be sold to EPR Properties. The Six Flags Entertainment Corporation notes on its website that this is part of its ongoing strategy to optimize and strengthen its park portfolio.…
Read MoreSierra Club speakers series continues in Alton on March 10
The topic to be discussed: Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA) impact on utility bills The next session of the local Sierra Club’s speakers series takes place starting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Mar. 10, 2026. It will be held at Old Bakery Beer Co., 400 Landmarks Blvd., Alton. Scott Allen from the Citizens…
Read MoreFormer Carlyle Police Chief accused of embezzling more than $100,000
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – The former police chief of the Carlyle Police Department is facing several federal charges for allegedly embezzling more than $100,000 for his personal benefit. A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment charging Mark A. Pingsterhaus, 52, of Carlyle, with two counts of wire fraud and two counts of theft…
Read MoreAG Raoul demands proof from GoFundMe of plagiarized charities’ web pages removal
On March 3, 2026, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, along with 21 attorneys general and charitable regulators, sent a letter to GoFundMe after reports the company plagiarized donation web pages for charities nationwide without those charities’ prior knowledge or consent. In the letter, Raoul and the coalition share concerns about GoFundMe’s misconduct and call for immediate…
Read MoreRecent commercial real estate transactions completed by Kunkel Commercial Group
Kunkel Commercial Group recently shared the following completed commercial real estate transactions: Leased transactions: Collinsville: Cowlen Properties LLC renewed a lease for 6,142 SF of professional office/ medical space for Total Renal Care Inc. at 101 Lanter Court, Suite 109-111.…
Read MoreMascoutah’s Leu Civic Center to close following structural engineer’s warning
From Herald Publications, published on March 3, 2026: The Leu Civic Center will close at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 7, following the release of a structural engineering report that identified significant safety concerns throughout the 1930s-era building, city officials said this week. This was initially discussed in closed session during the March 2 Mascoutah City…
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