Metro East Sun

Thank you to all the constituents who joined me at my Mobile Office Hours in Wood River last week. As your State Representative, I strive to be accessible and transparent. If you were unable to attend and need assistance with state agencies or services, please contact my office at 618-433-8046.

Illinois high school students will take a new exam starting in spring 2025. The Illinois State Board of Education announced that it will use the ACT exam instead of the SAT for annual state assessments beginning next spring. Both exams measure proficiency in core subjects such as English language arts and math and are commonly used for college admissions and scholarship applications. Illinois also uses these tests to meet federal mandates under the Every Student Succeeds Act, with results reported annually on the Illinois Report Card to hold schools accountable for academic standards.

Since spring 2017, Illinois has used the SAT with Essay as the state assessment for 11th-grade students. It began using the PSAT 8/9 for 9th graders and the PSAT 10 for sophomores two years later.

With Route 66's centennial approaching in 2026, the Illinois State Museum is collecting oral histories from those who interacted with Route 66 before its decommissioning in 1985. The museum seeks stories from people who have memories of driving on Route 66, operating car-related businesses along it, or working on its construction and maintenance.

Gordon Moore Park remains closed following a sinkhole incident late last month, prioritizing safety above all else. Meetings and briefings continue as data collection and inspection processes are monitored closely in collaboration with city officials.

"My prayers continue to be with President Trump and his family," said Rep. Elik regarding an attempted assassination of President Trump in Pennsylvania. "I am relieved President Trump is safe but saddened by the innocent victim still fighting for their life." She praised first responders' quick actions during this incident.