Metro East

A new Illinois law that took effect in March allows for a smoother name-change process. And Land of Lincoln Legal Aid is helping people apply and potentially save money.

The detention of immigrants in Macoupin and Clinton counties is part of an increasing pattern of Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in central and southern Illinois, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski said.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Todd Lyons sent a letter to Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s office Wednesday, alleging that one of her staffers misrepresented himself as an attorney in an attempt to free Ismael Ayuzo Sandoval.

As written, the change is scheduled to take effect on Dec. 31 just before midnight — but the alderwoman who introduced it is considering if that’s too soon.

Alton’s mayor and city council say late-night liquor sales have caused too much drunken behavior.

The main goals are to fix drainage problems, widen shoulders and resurface pavement to eliminate potholes and ruts, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The developer hopes construction can start before the end of the year and be complete by next August. The new store will eliminate a food desert in the Metro East community.

The Community of Sunnybrook, which has 40 units, will provide needed affordable housing in the Metro East town, the developers and city leaders say.

“We're watching what Indiana does,” Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said at an unrelated event in Alton on Wednesday. “We may have to react to that.”

The Fairview Heights store is the second one in the Metro East in recent weeks to sell a million dollar winning ticket.