May 2025

Illinois House Republican Caucus says it sees no urgency, no discussion of any sort of structural reform, and no solutions coming from the other side of the aisle

SPRINGFIELD – With seven days left in the spring legislative session, House Republican Leader Tony McCombie said at a capitol press briefing today that there appears to be no urgency, no discussion of any sort of structural reform, and no solutions coming from the other side of the aisle as the deadline approaches.   McCombie said “We’re […]

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IDNR monitoring black bear sighting in southwestern Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is monitoring sightings of a black bear in southwestern Illinois.    The bear was first observed Monday, May 19 in St. Clair County. An IDNR district wildlife biologist confirmed the sighting on Tuesday, May 20 and the animal was observed again Wednesday and Thursday, May 21 and

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IDPH offers safe swimming tips to prevent drownings and other water risks as 2025 summer season approaches

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is highlighting the CDC’s annual observance of Healthy and Safe Swimming Week, which this year features the theme Splash into Fun, Not Germs and offers tips on how to safely enjoy splash pads, also known as interactive fountains.   IDPH is urging Illinoisans to take precautions to avoid risks

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IDPH recommends testing of private water wells in areas with elevated PFAS levels in community water systems

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is advising private well owners to check if they are in the vicinity of community water systems (CWS) that have shown elevated levels of one or more Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in testing conducted by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA). Illinois EPA recently sent

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Illinois Republicans sound alarm on governor’s clean energy plan

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Republicans are sounding the alarm about a proposed clean energy plan, saying it will only increase costs for consumers.   The Illinois Environmental Council rallied at the state capitol last week to urge state lawmakers to pass the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act and legislation to overhaul transit leadership and

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Illinois Senate Republicans urge Governor Pritzker to protect care for vulnerable Illinoisans

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus are calling on Governor JB Pritzker to protect critical funding that provides care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Illinois. In a letter sent today Republican Senators urged him to fully restore a proposed $32 million cut to Direct Support Professional (DSP) service

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Illinois State Police investigation leads to predatory criminal sexual assault charges

CARMI – On May 20, 2025, the Eldorado Police Department requested Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Investigation Zone 8 to investigate Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault against a teacher aide in the Eldorado School District.     As a result, the Saline County State’s Attorney’s Office filed charges of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault, Aggravated Criminal Sexual

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Jason Smith thanks Pres. Trump for Mo disaster declaration

WASHINGTON – Eighth District Missouri Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08) issued the following statement thanking President Donald J. Trump for approving Missouri’s request to authorize a federal disaster declaration in the State of Missouri. The federal disaster declaration will make available desperately needed federal assistance to support Missouri’s recovery efforts. Representative Smith said, “I’ve always said the

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MSHP arrest reports

JEFFERSON CITY — The Missouri State Highway Patrol has released its latest reports.   35-year-old Demargio F. Tripp was arrested at 11:52 a.m. Friday, May 23rd on patrol charges of resisting arrest by fleeing, driving while intoxicated and driving while revoked. He was taken to the Perry County Jail on a 24-hour hold.

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