State News

ST. LOUIS – The United States Attorneys and United States Marshals for the Southern District of Illinois and Eastern District of Missouri have announced the results of a regional public safety initiative led by the U.S. Marshals Service and its task force law enforcement partners. The coordinated effort was executed over the month of June…

Working to ensure our law enforcement has the resources they need to do their job safely and effectively, State Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) joined local leaders, police and community members on Monday, June 29, for the ceremonial groundbreaking of a new police station in Shiloh. “This new station is a significant investment in public safety,…

July 20 deadline to apply for $30 million via National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program The Illinois Department of Transportation has opened a call for locations for a special round of funding available through the Illinois National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program. Approximately $30 million is available through the program’s fourth round of funding availability. Applications must…

The Illinois Economic Development Corporation’s Economic Research Center recently announced the launch of the Regional Research Pilot Program (R2P2), a new initiative designed to provide deeper, forward-looking research and economic growth planning support to communities and partners across Illinois. R2P2 is designed to help communities move beyond individual projects and near-term needs by offering strategic…

Applications for the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership’s 2026 Preservation and Economic Development Grant Program open in July. The grant program is an official Route 66 Centennial Activity, as designated by the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission. The program assists businesses and attractions along historic Route 66 that are seeking to remain in operation, reopen,…

Funding available for reusable water bottle filling stations in Illinois American Water’s service areas In recognition of the recent National Hydration Day, the American Water Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., along with Illinois American Water, announced that…

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rivers Project Office will temporarily close overnight access to Riverlands Way, Maple Island, Ellis Island, and Lincoln Shields Recreation Area in West Alton, Mo., for the Fourth of July Weekend. Riverlands Way will be closed each of the following timeframes: 10 p.m. July 3 to 7 a.m. July 4…

Rebuild Illinois is continuing to improve mobility, safety and quality of life in the Metro East, with the Illinois Department of Transportation delivering multiple major projects this construction season. Made possible by Governor JB Pritzker’s historic capital program, 23 projects combined represent a total investment of nearly $960 million, creating and maintaining good-paying jobs throughout…

  By PHYLLIS COULTER FarmWeek  Social media is abuzz with news about ticks and tick-borne diseases actively spreading across Illinois, with many counties confirming several species. Some of the increased talk comes from more awareness of ticks and their dangers, Jenny Buttaccio, Illinois Lyme Association (ILA) communications director, told FarmWeek. However, Illinois has ticks converging…

State Senator Erica Harriss (R-56th-Glen Carbon) is inviting friends and supporters from across the Metro East to join her for the fourth annual “Celebrate America with Erica” reception. The celebration will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1 at The Ink House – Off the Record Lounge in downtown Edwardsville. The…