Infrastructure

Officials and lawyers representing the city said Cahokia Heights had still not received most of the funding.

The coordinator, Beth Murphy, said a key accomplishment — what she calls the “matrix” — details ongoing construction projects, plus future construction and funding, to fix the chronic water issues plaguing the Metro East community.

Replacing the sewer line is an essential step in fixing Cahokia Heights' faulty system that's left residents with backed-up toilets, flooded basements and standing water in their yards.

Illinois is receiving more than $75 million through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help reclaim and revitalize abandoned mine lands across the state — including the Metro East.

The water department had just $2 million left in reserves before the rate hikes kicked in. They are expected to raise a combined $33 million.

The project — which will connect MidAmerica to St. Louis-Lambert International Airport via light rail — is expected to wrap in spring 2026, according to the St. Clair County Transit District.

The allegations center around the more than $50 million St. Clair County received from the federal government as part of the American Rescue Plan Act.

The fifth National Climate Assessment says a warming climate, increasingly extreme weather and drought are threatening the Midwest’s economy and health.

The Illinois Department of Transportation has been talking about constructing a connector between Illinois 3 in Fairmont City and Illinois 203 and Madison, Illinois, for the last 20 years. Recently, the state agency unveiled its preferred route.

Starting at the barge terminal near Fayetteville — about 15 miles southeast of Belleville — the pipeline would run roughly 16 miles north to deliver fuel to the Metro East base.