State News

BENTON, Ill. – A tax return preparer who worked in St. Clair County recently appeared in district court to plead guilty to federal charges for making intentional false statements on tax return forms to defraud the Government. Dormeshia A. Haire, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of false statements on tax return, one count of…

The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced upcoming lane closures on eastbound Interstate 55/70 in St. Clair County to allow for bridge maintenance. Beginning at 6 a.m. Monday, May 4, traffic will be reduced to two lanes on eastbound I-55/70 between Illinois 203 and Exchange Avenue. In addition, beginning at 6 a.m. Monday, May 4,…

  By RHIANNON BRANCH FarmWeek  Despite statewide planting progress being ahead of the average pace, weather and soil conditions kept many tractors on the sidelines in large portions of central and northern Illinois through mid-April. However, many finally got a chance to begin or resume fieldwork late last week. “Things are going pretty well, we’re…

On April 29, 2026, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced a total of $22,470,985 in federal funding for port infrastructure development projects for the Kaskaskia Regional Port District and Seneca Regional Port District. This funding is provided through the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), a Maritime Administration…

  By TAMMIE SLOUP FarmWeek   The US is aiming to secure agreement on a broader range of agricultural purchases by China during President Donald Trump’s planned visit there next month, U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer said. “We are talking in terms of aggregate, overall purchases from China. There’s been a lot of talk about…

  State Senator Erica Harriss (R-56th-Glen Carbon) and state Senator Jil Tracy (R-50th-Quincy) have teamed up with the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office to host an ICASH event from 12 Noon to 4 p.m. on Monday, May 4 at the Mississippi Valley Library District location (408 West Main Street, Collinsville, IL 62234). Harriss and the Illinois…

The 100th anniversary of the Mother Road in Illinois is officially underway throughout the region Get your kicks on Route 66 in southwest Illinois this summer. Communities and residents all along the Last 100 Miles of Route 66 in Illinois will celebrate with a variety of festivals, events, and even newly created Mother Road themed…

On April 24, 2026, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) joined local leaders to announce $2 million in Community Project Funding she secured for the Village of Brooklyn, Ill. The funding will support the village’s efforts to transform a historic Route 66 building – “The Skating Rink” – into a vibrant, multifunctional space for community activities. Congresswoman…

Working to protect access to objective news, State Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) passed a bill ensuring that media outlets affiliated with colleges and universities are not subject to editorial control by administration. “All journalists are afforded the freedom of press, and that includes journalists at public universities,” said Stuart. “Full-time journalists at our universities aren’t…