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When Oversight Fails, Customers Pay:
Illinois American’s Legalized Double Billing
GraniteCityGossip.com April 28, 2026

Illinois American Water bills customers the way it does for one simple reason: it is allowed to. The company charges wastewater fees based on every gallon that enters a home, even when that water never touches the sewer system. Filling a pool, watering a lawn, washing a car, or any other use that doesn’t involve a drain still gets billed as if it flowed straight into the …Tap the link to read the full article and to share.
New MCT Schoolhouse Trail Bridge Installed Over Highway IL-111 at Horseshoe Lake Road
GraniteCityGossip.com, April 27, 2026

PONTOON BEACH — A major regional trail project is now visibly underway as Madison County Transit (MCT) installs a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge over Illinois Route 111, directly at the Horseshoe Lake Road intersection.
The structure, which residents have watched rise over the past several days, is part of a formally announced MCT initiative to eliminate the dangerous at‑grade crossing…tap to read full article, for additional photos and to share.









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Backlash Grows After Rep. Amy Elik Supports Illinois “Megaprojects” Bill
GraniteCityGossip.com, April 24, 2026

A controversial “megaprojects” bill passed through the Illinois House is drawing increasing criticism, particularly after confirmation that Amy Elik voted in favor of the measure. Elik publicly acknowledged her “yes” vote in a video following the decision, sparking frustration among some of her constituents who ...Tap the link to read the full article and to share.






Should the customers of Special Service Area #1
Pay Twice for their Sewer District?
Submission from Kurt Prenzler, April 24, 2026

If the Madison County Board votes to sell Special Service Area No. 1 sanitary sewer district (SSA #1) to Illinois American Water Co. (IAW), its customers would end up “paying twice” for their sewer district.
How can I say that? Let me explain. SSA #1 was created in the 1970s to provide sanitary sewer service to users in the …Tap this link to read the full article and to share.
St. Louis Board Approves $3 Billion Armory District Data Center Project
GraniteCityGossip.com, April 21, 2026


The City of St. Louis took a major step forward Tuesday as the Board of Public Service unanimously approved a conditional use permit for a 120‑megawatt data center planned next to the historic Armory building, a project now estimated at $3 billion and envisioned as the centerpiece of a new “Armory Innovation District.”
The vote comes after weeks of review, revisions, and public scrutiny. In March, residents packed a ….Tap the link to read the full article and to share.






Granite City Shows Its Heart: A Community Rallies for One of Its Own
GraniteCityGossip.com, April 19, 2026

Granite City has always been a place where people look out for one another, but this past weekend, that spirit was on full display. A two‑day BBQ benefit was held for Julie Burnett Roberts, who is facing Stage 4 Bile Duct Carcinoma, and the turnout was nothing short of remarkable. Friends, family, neighbors, and even supporters from outside the city came together with one purpose: to lift Julie up and help carry the weight of the journey ahead.
Julie’s fight has brought with it a long list of challenges, specialized treatments, out‑of‑pocket …Tap to read the full article and to see more images and to share.
Facebook’s Quiet Transformation: From Social Network to
Profit Engine and Influence Machine
GraniteCityGossip.com, April 19, 2026

Over the past several years, Facebook has undergone a sweeping transformation, one that has happened quietly, without clear announcements, and often without users realizing how dramatically the platform has shifted beneath their feet. What began as a place to stay connected with friends and family has evolved into a highly engineered ...Tap this link to read the full article and to share.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: A Ministry’s Rapid Expansion
Raises Questions About Granite City’s Future
GraniteCityGossip.com, April 18, 2026

There is a situation quietly unfolding in Granite City that deserves public attention before it becomes another social‑media firestorm or an outside news outlet defines the narrative for us. Over the past year, a non‑local ministry has expanded its footprint in the heart of our busiest commercial district, and many residents, business owners, and community stakeholders are now asking whether Granite City is prepared for …Tap the link to read the full article and to share.

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Homefield vs. Ameren: The Simple Truth Behind Your Opt‑Out Letter
GraniteCityGossip.com, April 17, 2026

Residents across Granite City and Madison County are receiving the latest Homefield Energy electric aggregation opt‑out letter, and many are unsure whether they should stay in the program or continue with Ameren Illinois, especially with summer rates still unknown. The good news is that the decision is much simpler than it seems once the numbers are …Tap this link to read the full article and to share.
Residents Question Claims and Transparency Surrounding Proposed SSA#1 Sewer Sale, Especially the Predicted Monthly Savings of 34 Cents if Sale is Approved
GraniteCityGossip.com, April 16, 2026

Residents in the unincorporated 62040 area , including Pontoon Beach and Mitchell , may soon face a major change to their sewer service, yet many still have no idea the proposal even exists.
The potential sale of Special Service Area #1 (SSA #1) to Illinois American Water has been discussed quietly for months, with no public meetings, no published notices, and no outreach to the thousands of customers who would be directly affected. Tap here to read entire article and to share.
Point of Departure Commemoration Returns to Lewis & Clark State Historic Site
GraniteCityGossip.com, April 15, 2026



The Lewis & Clark State Historic Site will mark the 222nd anniversary of the launch of the legendary Lewis and Clark Expedition with its annual Point of Departure Commemoration on May 9 and 10. The free, family‑friendly event runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days at 1 Lewis and Clark Trail, Hartford, Illinois 62048.
Visitors can step directly into the world of 1803 as they interact with military demonstrators, historic artisans, and… Tap the link to read the full article and to share.
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.
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.


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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 28, 2026





