HELLO GRANITE CITY AND ALL NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES
Welcome to GraniteCityGossip.com, the area’s landing place
that brings our community together
Is Heavy Tourism Advertising Worth It? Alton Says No,
Should Granite City Ask the Same Question?
GraniteCityGossip.com, April 10, 2026
Communities across southwest Illinois rely on tourism dollars, but not every city is built to benefit equally from large‑scale destination marketing. That reality is now at the center of a growing debate, and one that recently came to a head in Alton and may soon deserve a closer look in Granite City.
Alton Pushes Back on High Tourism Advertising Costs.
Recently, Alton Mayor David Goins announced that he and the Board of Aldermen are reevaluating how the city...Tap the link to read the full article and to share.
GraniteCityGossip.com is brought to you by our advertisers. We couldn’t do it without them! Take a moment to click on a banner to see a full page of information including pictures, video, and you just never know, you may find a bargain!
Click here for more advertising opportunities.
Honoring His Roots, Dr. Robert Doroghazi Supports Old Six Mile Museum’s Future
GraniteCityGossip.com, April 7, 2026
The clang of the Granite City Steel Mill. The pride of the local schools. The steady rhythm of hardworking families building a life in a new country. These are the memories that come rushing back to Dr. Robert Doroghazi when he thinks about growing up in Granite City.
“All five of my grandparents came from Hungary,” he recalls. “Many of them worked in the steel mill. Everybody worked hard. Tap here to read full article and to share.
Illinois’ New Solar Preemption Law Takes Effect June 1:
Municipalities Lose Power to Say “No”
GraniteCityGossip.com, April 6, 2026
On June 1, 2026, a major shift in Illinois energy policy takes effect, one that directly limits the authority of cities and villages across the state. Under Public Act 104‑0458, municipalities will no longer be allowed to prohibit solar energy systems within their boundaries. This includes residential solar, commercial solar, and large‑scale solar farm developments.
For the first time, every municipality in Illinois, including Granite City, Madison, Pontoon Beach, and all surrounding communities, is legally barred from refusing or blocking solar projects, even if …Tap to read the entire article and to share.
Is Illinois’ Gas Tax Ever Going to Stop Climbing?
Policies Under Governor Pritzker Say No.
GraniteCityGossip.com, April 4, 2026
When JB Pritzker took office in January 2019, Illinois drivers were paying 19 cents per gallon in state gas tax. That rate had stayed the same for nearly 30 years. Just months later, the state doubled it to 38 cents and built in automatic yearly increases tied to inflation.
Those annual hikes have continued every year since, pushing the tax to 48.3 cents per gallon in 2026, with no end in sight. As long as inflation exists, the tax keeps rising automatically, and …Tap the link to read the full article and to share.
Granite City Township Seniors Enjoy a Day of Discovery and Dining in St. Louis
GraniteCityGossip.com, April 3, 2026
Granite City Township seniors enjoyed a full day of exploration and fellowship during their recent trip to the St. Louis Science Center and the Old Spaghetti Factory. The outing marked the first of the Township’s…tap here to read entire article, for additional photo and to share.
When a Community Starts Selling Off Its Public Assets, What Does It Really Mean?
GraniteCityGossip.com, March 31, 2026
This image is satire and intended for editorial commentary only
When a community begins talking about selling off essential public assets — water systems, sewer systems, or other core infrastructure — it’s rarely a sign of strength. Economists, public‑finance experts, and municipal‑planning researchers tend to view these moves as warning signs that something deeper is going wrong. It doesn’t mean the community collapses overnight, but it often marks the point where long‑term challenges start becoming harder to ignore.
Most communities don’t sell their water or sewer systems when things are going well. They do it when budgets are tight, debt is rising, and leaders are …Tap the link to read the entire article and to share.
Mitchell Fire Department Hosts First‑Ever Easter Egg Hunt
GraniteCityGossip.com, March 30, 2026
All photos courtesy of Mitchel Fire Department
The Mitchell Fire Department brought a brand‑new tradition to the community this spring with its First Annual Easter Egg Hunt, held on Saturday, March 28. Families gathered on the firehouse grounds …tap here to read full article, for additional photos and to share.
Mr. Chris Slusser, Madison County Board Chairman,
We Have Questions!
GraniteCityGossip.com March 26, 2026
Illinois American Water Is Presenting a Final Offer for SSA #1 — And We’re Hearing the Vote Is Being Rushed Through as Early as April.
Madison County residents who pay sewer bills to Special Service Area #1 deserve honesty, transparency, and a seat at the table. Instead, what we’re getting is silence, and now, suddenly, a fast‑tracked vote to sell our publicly owned sewer system to Illinois American Water.
Residents are being told this deal is “all but finalized.”
We’re being told the vote could happen within weeks.
We’re being told this is a “quick money maker” for …Tap the link to read the full article and to share.
The One Night Township Voters Hold the Power
Understanding the Annual Town Meeting
GraniteCityGossip.com, March 26, 2026
Once a year, on the second Tuesday in April, (April 14, 2026) something unusual happens in all of Illinois government. For one night, the voters, not the township officials, become the governing body in every township in Illinois. This event is called the Annual Town Meeting, and it represents one of the oldest forms of direct democracy still in use today. Many residents have never attended or may not realize the meeting exists, and even those who have heard of it often don’t know what they are allowed to do. This article explains the…tap here to read entire article and to share.
Did the Madison County Board Learn Nothing from Granite City?
Another Water System May Be on the Chopping Block.
GraniteCityGossip.com, March 24, 2026
Residents across Madison County are growing increasingly uneasy after seeing multiple Illinois American Water vehicles parked outside the building that houses Madison County Special Service Area Number One, the public utility responsible for providing sewer service and wastewater treatment services to thousands of households in the Pontoon Beach, Mitchell, and surrounding areas. This is the same system that sends residents their monthly sewer bill, a bill that has remained relatively stable because the system is publicly owned and controlled by the county.
While no official announcement has been made, the sudden presence of Illinois American Water trucks has raised fears that the county may be preparing to sell the system, much like what happened in Granite City. Residents there watched…Tap the link to read the full article and to share.
Chicago Teacher’s Union Finds Itself Back in the Spotlight
GraniteCityGossip.com, March 23, 2026
For years, Illinois taxpayers and union members have quietly wondered how much money was really being spent behind the scenes by the Chicago Teachers Union. Now, with a Cook County judge refusing to dismiss a lawsuit over CTU’s missing audits, those long‑held suspicions are finally getting the scrutiny many felt was overdue.
The union’s heavy political involvement, especially its multimillion‑dollar push to help elect Brandon Johnson as ...Tap the link to read the full article and to share.
Crow’s feet? Scowl lines? Frown line or forehead wrinkles?
Look no further than Regenerative Health and Chiropractic, LTD, right here in Granite City. Schedule a visit with Mariah today at 618-931-2050
Judge Grants Clerk Andreas’ Request for Recount of Votes for Two Referenda
PRESS RELEASE
March 20, 2026
157 North Main Street Suite 109 Edwardsville, IL, 62025
Judge grants Clerk Andreas’ request for recount of votes for two referenda
Edwardsville, IL – A judge on Friday granted Madison County Clerk Linda Andreas’ request for a recount of votes cast in two referenda that were on the ballot for the Primary Election.
Andreas made the request for the recount after voters alerted her to apparent inaccuracies…tap here to read entire press release and to share.
Unlikely Results Reported in Long Lake Referendums
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2026
Former Madison County Board Chairman, Kurt Prenzler
Madison County Republican Party Chairman of District 3, Nick Cohan
Madison County Republican Party Chairman of District 3 (many precincts in the Southwest corner of the county) Nick Cohan was alerted to an unlikely outcome in the recent March 17 primary election.
“Yesterday a voter called me and said he didn’t understand why …Tap the link to read the entire Press Release and to share.
Madison County Board Rejects Route 162 Solar Farm Permit
GraniteCityGossip.com, March 19, 2026
The Madison County Board has voted down a proposal for a solar farm along Route 162 in rural Pontoon Beach, ending months of discussion and neighborhood concern over the project.
The plan, known as the Arena Libra project, would have placed solar panels on farmland bordering…tap here to read full article and to share.
Madison County Officials Return to Renovated Board Room
March 17, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County officials resumed meeting in the Board Room last week after months of renovation to improve the safety, accessibility and functionality of the 34-year-old space.
Board members held their first committee meeting on March 11 in the updated room. They will hold their first…Tap the link to see the full Press Release and to share.
Party at the Beach, A Summer Tradition That Keeps Getting Bigger, Announces This Year’s Headliners
GraniteCityGossip.com, March 13, 2026
For more than a decade, Party at the Beach has been one of the Metro East’s most beloved summer celebrations, a two‑night festival that brings together families, friends, and music lovers from Pontoon Beach, Granite City, and communities far beyond.
The festival is held annually at…tap here to read full article and to share.
Call to set up an appointment today. (618) 931-2050
Click the banner above to schedule your $25 exam plus x-rays
GRANITE CITY GraniteCityGossip Weather
CLICK HERE FOR ALL INFORMATION ABOUT COLUMBUS HOME BINGO
We thank you for visiting GraniteCityGossip.com, celebrating over nineteen years of service to our community, August 2006 – April 2026
We will update as we receive new information just as we always have, so remember to send your announcements, fund raisers, birthday wishes to granitecitygossip@yahoo.com so we can include them on our page. Here is to another nineteen years Granite City!
Website last updated April 10, 2026
