Area News
Budzinski advocates for continued Granite City Steel investments at congressional hearing
The hearing hosted by the Congressional Steel Caucus included testimony from U.S. Steel and the United Steelworkers Yesterday, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) participated in a hearing hosted by the Congressional Steel Caucus to advocate for long-term investment in Granite City Works. Budzinski, who has worked alongside the United Steelworkers to protect steel jobs in Illinois’…
Read MoreLocal Sierra Club group plans MLK community litter cleanup day
Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 is the Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day of Service which honors Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through community volunteering. The day focuses on civic engagement throughout the nation focusing on service and equality. The Sierra Club Piasa Palisades group has been participating in the MLK Day of Service for over a…
Read MoreRotary Club of Swansea seeks auction items, sponsorships for February annual fundraiser
Rotary Club of Swansea is gearing up for its annual “Rotary Round Up” Dinner Auction taking place on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. The event will be held at the Belleville/Swansea Moose Lodge 1221. Organizers have noted that this event is a cornerstone of the club’s efforts to support the local community. Unique items are now being…
Read MoreSimmons Hanly Conroy sponsors Public Interest Law Initiative Annual Awards Luncheon
Simmons Hanly Conroy, a national leader in the legal representation of mesothelioma patients and their families, recently recognized and supported “outstanding leadership in public interest law” as an Executive Sponsor of the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) Annual Awards Luncheon, which took place Dec. 10 at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago. The luncheon, PILI’s…
Read MoreApplications now being accepted for Madison County’s Alma Irene Aitch Scholarship
Madison County Regional Superintendent Dr. Robert W. Werden, along with Mr. Mannie Jackson and Dr. Ed Hightower, recently announced that applications are now being accepted for the second annual Alma Irene Aitch Scholarship. The scholarship is available to all Madison County, Ill., high school seniors who are graduating this academic year and continuing on to…
Read MoreBudzinski-championed local projects pass House of Representatives
The funding requests, totaling $27.8 million, will address critical needs across the district Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) recently announced that $27.8 million in funding for local projects she secured as part of the federal budget process has passed out of the full House of Representatives. After two years of obstruction from House Republicans, the bill…
Read MoreFirst Mid Bank & Trust highlights new year business fraud protection solutions, strategies
With rising fraud threats, First Mid’s Positive Pay services and dedicated team help businesses stay secure and confident in today’s high-risk environment With approximately 79% of organizations reporting attempted or actual payment fraud activity in 2024, business fraud schemes are becoming more frequent and increasingly sophisticated. First Mid Bank & Trust (First Mid) is urging…
Read MoreThe race for data: Madison County Chair holds a checkered flag
By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE Managing Editor, Illinois Business Journal [email protected] Madison County Board Chair Chris Slusser admits that he wasn’t heavily involved in the conversations around data centers at first. But when St. Charles, Mo., issued a moratorium on them last summer and St. Louis County followed suit, Slusser realized that he needed to…
Read MoreHSHS hospitals in southern Illinois announce ‘top baby names’ of 2025
Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) hospitals in Illinois recently shared the top names chosen for babies born at HSHS St. Elizabeth’s in O’Fallon and HSHS St. Joseph’s in Breese. Over 1,200 babies were delivered at these two southern Illinois hospitals in 2025. HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, O’Fallon: Top Boy Name Henry Top Girl Name Charlotte,…
Read MoreBelt highlights expansion of job training programs at community colleges
State Senator Christopher Belt is highlighting the announced $24 million in funding to expand Manufacturing Training Academies at community colleges and strengthen workforce training opportunities for high-demand manufacturing careers. “Giving young people access to skills that translate directly into a job is exactly what we need to be focusing on in 2026,” said Belt (D-Swansea).…
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