January, 2017 Stories | Metro East Sun

ILA: Hutchinson amendment threatens people's right to safety

By Metro East Sun | Jan 31, 2017

If an amendment recently introduced in Springfield by state Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights) passes muster, Illinois dwellers could face what the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) considers taxation of citizens’ Second Amendment rights.

Madison County Mental Health Board transfers budgeted funds

By Lhalie Castillo | Jan 31, 2017

The Madison County Mental Health Board met Jan. 11 to transfer budgeted funds.

Glen Carbon trustees approve replacement pump pricing

By Lhalie Castillo | Jan 31, 2017

The village of Glen Carbon Board of Trustees met Jan. 10 to approve replacement pump pricing.

Edwardsville safety committee approves project change orders

By Lhalie Castillo | Jan 31, 2017

The Edwardsville City Council Public Safety Committee met Jan. 9 to approve project change orders.

Glen Carbon finance committee updates purchasing policy

By Lhalie Castillo | Jan 31, 2017

The village of Glen Carbon Finance and Administration Committee met Jan. 10 to update the purchasing policy.

State responds to over 140 child trafficking charges in 2016

By Metro East Sun | Jan 30, 2017

The United States is considered one of the top destination points for child trafficking with cases reported in all 50 states, including 143 investigated calls to the hotline for allegations of human trafficking in 2016 by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

Protests greet Madigan's controversial re-election as House speaker

By Metro East Sun | Jan 30, 2017

In one of the first votes by the newly sworn-in Illinois House, long-serving House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) was re-elected to a 17th term in that seat.

Medium shutterstock food pantry shelves stocked

Collinsville workers help fill food pantry's shelves

By Carol Ostrow | Jan 30, 2017

Acting as elves for shelves, over 200 Collinsville city employees recently participated in a drive for the benefit of the community by collecting and contributing food, non-perishables and toiletries to the Collinsville food pantry.

New House GOP Conference chair says voters have mandated reform

By Metro East Sun | Jan 30, 2017

GOP legislators in Springfield received their marching orders in November's general election to keep pushing for reform, the newly named House Republican Conference chairman said during a recent interview.

St. Clair GOP plans to target future tax hike proposals

By Michael Carroll | Jan 30, 2017

St. Clair County Republicans plan to cement their November election victories in the year ahead as well as battle local ballot measures that aim to boost the sales tax.

Analyst: Rauner should call out AFSCME for insincerity in contract talks

By Karen Kidd | Jan 30, 2017

The state's largest government-employee union is using delay-and-obstruct tactics in contract talks with state officials, and a recent restraining order issued by a friendly judge plays right into the union's hands, the marketing manager of a conservative think tank said on a recent radio talk show.

Shimkus, other GOP chairs applaud Trump's pipeline decisions

By Ruth de Jauregui | Jan 29, 2017

U.S. Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL) joined his colleagues Greg Waldon (R-OR) and Fred Upton (R-MI) in applauding President Donald Trump's executive action approving the Keystone and Dakota Access oil pipelines.