People with dwarfism find the term midget derogatory. The bill, requiring the Metro East high school to pick a replacement by 2028, could come up for debate on the House floor within two weeks.

The bill that would force Freeburg to ditch its mascot is scheduled to be called in two House Education Policy Committee hearings this week.

Students at Dupo High School must keep backpacks in lockers and are not allowed between classes to carry drawstring bags, purses, or any small bags or clutches with straps that are larger than 5 by 9 inches besides Chromebook bags.

The proposal would allow all students currently declared as a physics major or minor an opportunity to complete the program. It would not eliminate all physics courses.

The federal funding for farmers has been terminated under President Donald Trump’s administration. Family farmers in the Metro East now face abrupt uncertainty about how to fund plans they made for their growing businesses.

Cougar KickBots is a program starting at Alton Middle School this week that combines on-field soccer instruction with STEM concepts and robotics.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has backed proposed legislation that would ban cellphones in classrooms, with some exceptions. What’s the policy in your local school district?

The horse racetrack’s new owner, Accel Entertainment, plans to build a new casino, put in a restaurant, improve the track and eventually build a concert venue over the next three years.

U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who represents Illinois' 8th Congressional District in suburban Chicago, came to East St. Louis over the weekend when U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin is contemplating whether to run for another term in 2026.

The Midgets mascot originated roughly 90 years ago. If passed by Illinois lawmakers, the bill would require the Metro East high school to change by September 2028.