Madison County

Illinois became the first state in the country to abolish cash bail on Monday, but the courts remained slow in the Metro East.

State lawmakers passed and the governor signed the criminal justice reform back in 2021. Originally scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2023, lawsuits slowed the SAFE-T Act's enactment. The legislation includes the elimination of cash bail.

If not repaired, the aging bridge, the only connection to Choteau Island for vehicles, could be further shuttered to the dismay of farmers, utility providers and government agencies.

Created in April 2021, the Cross-River Crime Task Force hoped to slow Missouri residents from driving to Madison County to commit crimes.

“Multiple others were taken to a hospital with serious injuries, four by helicopter and at least 10 by ambulance," according to Illinois State Police.

County Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler said Monday the agreement had not yet been finalized or signed. He declined to comment further until then.

The maps, which have not been updated since 2003, depict the danger presented to home and property owners.

Madison County Transit will spend a combined $45 million for the county’s bike trails and bus system. The county will add 20 miles of trails, two tunnels and seven bridges.

Six regional workforce development agencies received a $5.8 million federal grant to provide apprenticeships to 750 people in the St. Louis region who are interested in health care, bioscience and education.

“The County Board has lost confidence in its Chairman to advance a fiscally responsible future for the County,” the ordinance states.