St. Clair County

Whiteside Middle School in Belleville is part of one school district in Illinois that's been placed on a financial watch list. The designation means the state will monitor the district more closely.

Education

Six Illinois Schools Put On Financial Watch List — Three Are In St. Clair County

Megan Valley

More than one-third of districts in the county dropped at least one tier.

A healthcare professional prepares COVID-19 vaccination for use at the St. Clair County mass vaccination center in Belleville. Illinois has ranked near the bottom of all 50 states in vaccines administered thus far, according to a New York Times database, leading some state lawmakers to call for increased transparency and a more effective process for allowing eligible residents to receive vaccines.

Health, Science & Environment

St. Clair, Madison Counties Now Vaccinating Anyone 16 Or Older

Eric Schmid

The change comes as Illinois public health officials worry of a possible resurgence in coronavirus infections.

Health, Science & Environment

People From Outside Illinois Took 80% Of Friday’s Vaccine Appointments In St. Clair County

Kavahn Mansouri | Belleville News-Democrat

As a result of the influx of outstate people trying to "cheat the system," fewer people in St. Clair County were able to receive their shots. None of the people who registered from other states got the vaccine.

St. Louis-area businesses remain closed as the coronavirus pandemic drags on. Weeks of reduced income, or none at all, has stretched small businesses thin.

Health, Science & Environment

Metro East Coronavirus Restrictions Eased For Theaters, Casinos, Gyms And Offices

Eric Schmid

The region that includes the Metro East was the last in Illinois to see some restrictions lifted.

The report on the wealth gap relies on data from the Federal Reserve Board from 1983 through 2016.

Economy & Business

Madison County To Distribute Grants To Businesses Hit Hard By Coronavirus Shutdowns

Eric Schmid

Madison County will distribute $1.7 million to small businesses that were hit especially hard by stay-at-home orders earlier this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. The main goal of the funding is to help small businesses cover existing or new costs that were caused by the pandemic.

The Williams family is rooted in East St. Louis. In March, some family members, including the family's matriarch Rosie Walker, contracted COVID-19.

Government, Politics & Issues

COVID-19 Exposes More Inequities Between Black And White People In St. Clair County

Editor's Note: This story was originally published in the Belleville News-Democrat.For the month and a half when Donald Williams was sick with…

St. Clair County officials on Saturday announced the Metro East's first two positive cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus. They held the press conference at the county health department. 03/14/20

Health, Science & Environment

Metro East Reports First Positive Cases Of COVID-19: 2 Women Who Traveled Internationally

Kae M. Petrin

The new coronavirus has come to the Metro East. St. Clair County Board Commissioner Mark Kern on Saturday issued a disaster proclamation after two women…

Government, Politics & Issues

St. Clair County Judge Ron Duebbert Removed From Bench For Lying To Police

CHICAGO — The Illinois Courts Commission has removed St. Clair County Circuit Judge Ronald R. Duebbert from office after concluding he “demonstrated an…

A portion of the Goshen Trail expansion during construction in May 2019. The new trail opens Nov 15.

Other

Expansion Connects Madison And St. Clair County Bike Trails For The First Time

Eric Schmid

O’FALLON, Ill. — Madison County Transit will unveil the newest addition to its vast 130-mile trail network on Saturday. The expansion takes the existing…

Henry Ballerd, 70, tries on a jacket at a veterans stand down in East St. Louis on Oct. 29. The East St. Louisan served in Vietnam in the Navy.

Other

'Stand Down' Event Connects East St. Louis Veterans To Range Of Free Services

Eric Schmid

EAST ST. LOUIS — The Clyde C. Jordan Senior Center buzzed with activity as nearly 100 veterans bounced between tables offering free goods and services…