Metro East

Owners of Metro East restaurants that are following state COVID-19 rules are starting to feel like they’re in the minority. Dozens of other restaurants are inviting customers to eat inside, despite a ban on indoor dining ordered by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Oct. 28 to combat the rising number of coronavirus cases in the region.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced new statewide restrictions on retailers as cases, deaths and hospitalizations from COVID-19 surge uncontrollably.

A new study in Illinois shows that, while in-person learning in schools might lead to the spread of coronavirus cases, hybrid learning plans might not be worse for community spread than full remote learning.

The Veolia incinerator is listed as one of eight sites authorized by the Department of Defense to dispose of PFAS firefighting foam. The United Congregations of Metro East, the Sierra Club and other environmental organizations are suing the Department of Defense to block the potential disposal pending an environmental review.

The Fairview Heights City Council voted 8-1 Wednesday to approve the dispensary near the intersection of Interstate 64 and Illinois Route 159. Ascend Illinois can now move forward with opening its second dispensary in the region at 114 Commerce Lane, a defunct Babies R Us store, in the main shopping district.

Incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, has won his bid for re-election in Illinois’ 12th Congressional District.

Voters in Cahokia, Alorton and Centreville on Tuesday approved a proposal to merge their towns to create a new city called “Cahokia Heights,” according to unofficial returns.

Republican U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis won re-election Tuesday against Betsy Dirksen Londrigan. Davis beat his Democratic challenger in a tough rematch of the 2018 race for Illinois’ 13th Congressional District, which includes portions of the Metro East.

The contest for Illinois' 13 district is a rematch of 2018, when Republican incumbent Rodney Davis narrowly beat Democrat Betsy Dirksen Londrigan. A number of the issues are the same in a race that is drawing interest from political observers outside the central Illinois district, which contains portions of the Metro East.

After receiving upgrades costing $67 million, a stretch of Interstate 255 will reopen by Nov. 1.