Five officers were injured in all, including two who were treated and released at a local hospital for wounds they received in a scuffle with alleged criminal. Three others officers were hit by gun fire.

An estimated 878 people live within a 1-mile radius of the 35-acre Veolia North America-Trade Waste Incineration facility in the Metro East. The closest residential areas are about half a mile southeast of the facility in Cahokia Heights.

“They went on a call for service to help people and keep people safe. They ended up being shot and fighting for their lives doing their job.” — Police Chief Steve Johnson.

The closest grocery stores for Venice residents are more than four miles away in Granite City, making the community a food desert by the federal government’s standards.

Ameren Illinois, based in Collinsville, made the request to state regulators to increase its natural gas services by $8 to $10 per month for typical customers.

The Collinsville Kahoks, Granite City Warriors and Freeburg Midgets are some of the Metro East schools that could be required to change if the bills pass.

Essence Anthony’s diagnosis of functional neurological disorder helped her rediscover her love for painting.

East St. Louis School District 189 stood to lose the most money — $19 million for a major HVAC project — of any Illinois district. The district's spokeswoman said the judge's decision is "encouraging."

Five schools in East St. Louis are all set to lose their after-school programs. If that happens, just two of the district’s programs will be left, and approximately 300 students will be impacted.

Illinois finalized its PFAS limits in 2025, which is why some Metro East residents have been receiving letters from the Illinois EPA that PFAS have been detected above the limits.