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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
Senator Harriss Introduces Measure to Restore Policy Allowing
State to Recover Incarceration Costs
Press Release
March 13, 2026
State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) has introduced legislation to restore a policy allowing the State of Illinois to recover incarceration costs from inmates when appropriate.
Senate Bill 3958 reinstates language previously removed from state law that allowed the Illinois Department of Corrections to pursue reimbursement for incarceration expenses on a case-by-case basis when…Tap the link to read the full Press Release and to share.
A Message from Fire Chief Terry Kreher, Long Lake Fire Protection District
GraniteCityGossip.com, March 13, 2026
As Fire Chief of the Long Lake Fire Department, I take great pride, and great responsibility in being a good steward of your tax dollars. Our department has served this community since 1950, and for 76 years we have done everything possible to provide high‑quality fire protection with the limited resources available to us.
On Tuesday, March 17th, the Long Lake Fire Protection District is asking voters to consider…Tap the link to read the full article 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.
Mayor Parkinson Invites Children to a Free Easter Breakfast at
The Mill
GraniteCityGossip.com, March 12, 2026
Granite City families are invited to kick off Easter weekend with a special community tradition, a FREE Easter Breakfast hosted by Mayor Mike Parkinson at The Mill Events Center on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
This family‑friendly event is designed especially for children, and Mayor Parkinson is encouraging parents, and guardians to reserve their spots early. Tickets are limited, and …Tap the link for more information and reserve tickets and to share.
March 9, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Madison County offering $5,000 scholarships
EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County Community Development is accepting applications for a scholarship program designed to assist local students planning to attend college, trade school or other training programs during the upcoming academic year.
Through funding provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program will award…tap here to read full press release.
FCC Weighs New Rules on Offshore Call Centers
GraniteCityGossip.com March 5, 2026
The FCC is gearing up for a vote that could finally address one of the biggest frustrations American consumers deal with: calling a U.S. company and ending up talking to someone halfway around the world. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced a proposal that pushes telecom companies to bring more call‑center jobs back to the United States, raise communication standards for the centers that stay overseas, and crack down harder on…Tap the link to read the full article and to share.
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Website last updated April 1, 2026
