MARYVILLE- Two Metro East nonprofit organizations are freshly stocked with coats and other winter clothing items, thanks to donation efforts by community members and State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon).

“Thanks to donations from several generous residents, our neighbors will be able to stay warm this winter,” Crowe said. “We have split the donations between Operation Blessing in Wood River and Community Hope Center in Cottage Hills. The clothing drive could not have been a success without the support from members of the Metro East community.”

PICTURED: (Left) Executive Director of Operation Blessing- Karen Wilson 

(Right) Executive Director of Community Hope Center- Paul Militzer

MARYVILLE - To highlight the international efforts to prevent child endangerment, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is reminding residents of the warning signs that a child is being subjected to abuse.

“Although many of us are only familiar with children in our immediate households due to the pandemic’s social distancing guidelines, I want to remind parents, seniors, teachers and other concerned adults to look out for the signs of child maltreatment,” Crowe said. “Education is one of our strongest tools to prevent a child from being abused.”

Twenty years ago, on Nov. 19, 2000, the Women's World Summit Foundation launched the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse to bring community awareness to the issue and encourage local, state and federal governments to take action to prevent child abuse.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), emotional abuse is one of the most common and most harmful forms of child maltreatment and can have a lifelong impact. Examples of emotional abuse include making fun of a child, name calling, always finding fault, using harsh words to criticize behavior and using fear to control behavior.

Visit the APA website for more information and tips for identifying and preventing child abuse.

MARYVILLE – To provide safe, reliable public transportation to residents across the Metro East, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) announced a $15.2 million state grant for Madison County Transit (MCT) to construct a new administrative building and make other helpful upgrades for riders.

“Many residents depend on public transportation for access to health care, work and school, grocery stores, pharmacies, and other necessary travel,” Crowe said. “By investing in upgrades for MCT, we are making sure our transportation services keep up with the needs of the Metro East community.”

MARYVILLE – State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) will host a Facebook Live with Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs on Monday, Nov. 16 at 11:30 a.m. to share details about programs within the Illinois Treasurer’s Office, including the popular I-Cash program. 

“The Illinois Treasurer’s Office offers a wide variety of opportunities for individuals and government bodies across our state,” Crowe said. “This event will be a great resource for residents that may have unclaimed property, have questions about college savings, or interested in learning more about our state’s investments.”

Frerichs is the state’s Chief Investment and Banking Officer and actively manages approximately a $35 billion portfolio. Frerichs’ office protects consumers by safeguarding more than $3.5 billion in unclaimed property, encouraging savings plans for college or trade school, increasing financial education among all ages, assisting people with disabilities save without losing government benefits, and removing barriers to a secure retirement.

“Thank you to Senator Crowe for helping to spread the word about opportunities within the Treasurer’s Office,” Frerichs said. “We want Illinois residents to know that our office can help them find their unclaimed property, assist with saving for college for a loved one and provide relief to small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The virtual event will be streamed live on Sen. Crowe’s Facebook page.

EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) and Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) announced Thursday that the Illinois Department of Transportations will be finished with Interstate 255repairs a month early.   

“Highways and road systems are among the most critical components of Illinois’ infrastructure. As a nationwide hub of transportation, that infrastructure is also crucial to our state’s economy,” Belt said. “The disinvestment of I-255 was a burden for the people I represent. I’m thrilled to see this long-awaited project so near to completion, and I want to thank Gov. Pritzker and IDOT for making the drivers of the Metro East a top priority.”

MARYVILLE – To mend technical inequities in rural areas of the Riverbend region, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is urging Metro East organizations to apply for $50 million in available funding through the second round of the Connect Illinois broadband expansion program.

“To ensure small businesses are able to compete and residents are able to connect at work and school, access to reliable, high-speed internet is critical,” Crowe said. “Communities must have the resources to support local digital demands, and applying for this grant is a simple way to expand broadband opportunities to those living in rural areas.”

MARYVILLE - State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is celebrating East Alton’s powerlifter Shirley Webb as one of the Illinois Department of Aging’s four inductees into 2020 Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame

“An inspiration to many, Shirley Webb exemplifies the vitality of staying active and living a healthy lifestyle,” Crowe said. “Recognizing her hard work, commitment and dedication, I commend Shirley on this recognition and wish her the best in her future.”

MARYVILLE - To reduce roadside crashes and ensure safety for highway workers, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is reminding motorists of the importance of following Illinois’ “Move Over” law, also known as Scott’s Law.

“When residents drive carelessly, they put themselves, other drivers, highway workers and first responders at risk,” Crowe said. “To prevent potentially deadly roadside crashes, I urge drivers to be vigilant and follow the law by slowing down and giving stopped vehicles plenty of space.”