SW IL Connected

09/12/2023

09/12/2023

Legislation to help secure a future clean water well for Chester becomes law - WSIU

Senator Bryant says this bill is critical because Chester is in danger of running out of drinking water sometime in the future.

09/12/2023

By JERRY NOWICKI & ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois [email protected] Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday signed into law a measure that will allow for the limited development of new nuclear power generation technology in the state. The measure, House Bill 2473, does not allow new large-scal...

08/12/2023

With new estimates from the Governor's Office of Management and Budget, as well as Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, Capitol News Illinois' Jennifer Fuller talks with Editor-in-

08/12/2023

By ANDREW ADAMS  Capitol News Illinois [email protected] CHICAGO – Chicago utility Peoples Gas is requesting a multimillion-dollar bump to its already record-high rate increase approved by regulators last month.  In November, the Illinois Commerce Commission forced a yearlong pause ...

08/12/2023

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07/12/2023

Red Bud first responders were called to a garage on fire Thursday afternoon about 3:30 p.m. in the 300 block of Locust Street. Check back for more information as it…

07/12/2023

By DILPREET RAJU Capitol News Illinois [email protected] A new state health report pinpoints racism as a public health crisis while also noting Illinois needs to improve in the areas of maternal and infant health, mental health and substance use disorders. The broad goals are laid out in...

07/12/2023

Gloria Eva Thoma (nee Kipping), 91, of Columbia died Dec. 5, 2023, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Gloria was born Jan. 14, 1932, in Waterloo.  Raised in…

07/12/2023

Mabel Charlotte Nollau (nee Boedeker), 103, died Dec. 5, 2023, at the home of her daughter in New Athens. Mabel was born Feb. 29, 1920, on a farm near Valmeyer.…

07/12/2023

Monroe County is steeped in a tradition of boys soccer success, and this year was no different.  Columbia placed third at state in Class 1A, with both Waterloo and Gibault…

06/12/2023

In recent high school girls basketball action, a couple of local squads have strung together some wins while others are hoping to bounce back from losses. Columbia (5-2) posted three…

06/12/2023

Local high school boys basketball teams are trying to find their footing early as the 2023-24 season begins to round into shape.  Columbia (4-2) lost last Tuesday at home to…

06/12/2023

The Freeburg-Waterloo Raging Bulldogs and Columbia Eagles each posted hockey wins last week. Last Tuesday, the Raging Bulldogs won 5-1 over East Alton-Wood River. Conner Blair recorded a hat trick…

06/12/2023

An East Carondelet tow truck driver and Prairie du Pont volunteer firefighter passed away last Wednesday after he was struck by a truck while assisting a broken down vehicle, leaving…

06/12/2023

Friday, Dec. 1 marked the first day of a new fiscal year for Monroe County. After several budget hearings throughout the month, the Monroe County Board of Commissioners approved the…

06/12/2023

A major position will soon need to be filled within the Waterloo Police Department as current chief Jeff Prosise will be retiring next month. The announcement came during Monday’s Waterloo…

06/12/2023

With Christmas fast approaching, the season of giving is in full swing, and various charities and other organizations throughout the community are rushing to gather donations to make sure everyone…

06/12/2023

By BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois [email protected] State regulators allowed a Carlinville funeral director to operate for months despite a complaint filed by a local coroner who found a decomposing body in his funeral home and alleged the care of the remains was “unacce...

06/12/2023

By ANDREW ADAMS  Capitol News Illinois [email protected] Gun owners face a Jan. 1 deadline to register their assault weapons with the state under Illinois’ assault weapons law. But between lawsuits and ongoing policymaking, the exact guns, accessories and ammunition covered under the...

06/12/2023

By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Illinois families with infants and toddlers now have access to free children’s books that can be sent directly to their home, regardless of their income. Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday announced the official launc...

05/12/2023

Donald A. Stumpf Sr., 86, of Columbia, died Dec. 3, 2023, at Mercy Hospital South, St. Louis. He was born Sept. 1, 1937, in Columbia, son of the late Gustav…

05/12/2023

Lois M. Heise (nee Carrow), 86, of Waterloo, died Dec. 4, 2023, in Waterloo. She was born Sept. 18, 1937, in Bonne Terre, Mo. Lois was a member of Immanuel…

05/12/2023

Gary L. Brinkmann, 56, of Waterloo, died Dec. 3, 2023, in St. Louis. He was born June 12, 1967, in Red Bud. Gary was a member of Ss. Peter &…

05/12/2023

By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Supreme Court ruled Thursday that automobile insurance policies must cover people against uninsured motorists and hit-and-run accidents, even if the person covered by the policy is not in a vehicle a...

04/12/2023

- Meet Peter Hancock, a founding member of the Capitol News Illinois news team! Outside of the Statehouse, you'll find him supporting his favorite teams: the Jayhawks, Chiefs and Royals. Learn more about Peter: https://loom.ly/hKcKFL4

04/12/2023

By Dr. Graham A. Colditz Siteman Cancer Center It’s the time of year when we’re drawn to comfort foods. As the days get shorter and hats and coats take center…

04/12/2023

Charles C. Juelfs, 86, of Columbia, died Dec. 3, 2023, in St. Louis. He was born Sept. 24, 1937, in Fults. Charles was a member of Zion United Church of…

02/12/2023

Capitol News Illinois Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller talks with Editor-in-Chief Jerry Nowicki about the 2023 Petition Filing deadline for Illinois' 2024 Primary Election.

01/12/2023

Mildred L. “Millie” (nee Coffman) Meyer, 99, was baptized into the hope of Christ’s resurrection on Nov. 30, 2023, at Evelyn’s House, Creve Coeur, Mo. She was the wife of…

01/12/2023

Donald R. Lewis, 87, of Red Bud, died Nov. 29, 2023, in Red Bud. He was born Dec. 29, 1935 in Columbia, to the late Ira Lee and Ofa (nee…

01/12/2023

Charles Clifford Schwartz Jr., 79, died Nov. 27. Known around the state for his ability to captivate a courtroom – when he talked, people listened. He was a formidable opponent,…

01/12/2023

The Columbia Fire Department responded about 8:45 a.m. Friday for a report of smoke coming from Reifschneider’s Grill & Grape Restaurant at 608 N. Main Street. The smoke was from…

01/12/2023

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois [email protected] The Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday ruled the state’s strongest-in-the-nation biometric information privacy law does have an exemption: health care workers who use fingerprints or similar scans to access things like medicati...

01/12/2023

Emergency personnel responded about 3:15 p.m. Thursday to a two-vehicle crash on Route 3 at South Main Street in Columbia. Initial reports are two people sustained injuries in the collision.…

30/11/2023

By PETER HANCOCK  Capitol News Illinois  [email protected]  SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Supreme Court ruled Thursday that people may obtain records about their own Firearm Owners Identification cards, but they may not use the state’s Freedom of Information Act to do so.  In a 7...

30/11/2023

A rural Columbia family is especially thankful following a cold water rescue on their property earlier this week. Laura Eames told the Republic-Times that a quick response from the Columbia…