{"id":17852,"date":"2024-07-01T20:26:49","date_gmt":"2024-07-02T01:26:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/?page_id=17852"},"modified":"2024-07-20T01:24:14","modified_gmt":"2024-07-20T06:24:14","slug":"july-2023-archives","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/july-2023-archives\/","title":{"rendered":"July 2023 Archives"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\n\n

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Senator Harriss\u2019 Cardiac Response Plan Bill Gets<\/strong>
Signed Into Law<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Both public and private schools across Illinois will now implement cardiac response plans following the passage of a bill carried by Senator Erica Harriss. The legislation, signed into law on Monday, aims to prepare schools for cardiac emergencies.
\u201cThere is no predicting when a cardiac emergency might occur,\u201d said Senator Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon). \u201cHaving plans in place and individuals trained to perform life-saving measures can make a critical difference.\u201d
House Bill 5394 requires school boards to provide school personnel with information and hands-on cardiac emergency response training. This training includes hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of the school\u2019s automated external defibrillator (AED).
\u201cAccording to the American Heart Association, thousands of students under 18 have experienced cardiac arrest,\u201d said Senator Harriss. \u201cStatistics show that without prompt response or training, nearly 90% of these incidents can be fatal. This bill is about saving lives and offering parents peace of mind when dropping their children off at school.\u201d
Additionally, school boards are required to review procedures and emergency plans annually. School districts will also be eligible for a matching grant covering 50% of the costs for first aid certification.
The bill passed both chambers unanimously and was signed into law on July 1, 2024, with an effective date of January 1, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n\n\n

Are We Still the All-American City<\/strong>?<\/p>\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

The city in 1959 had achieved this status. Have we strayed from the beaten path our founders paved for us? Never calling any place home other than Granite City, I still sense the old fashioned neighborhood feel of my childhood. Its vibe is that of a close knit community or extended family if you will, that allows you to enter a local restaurant and almost always run into a neighbor, a friend or a familiar face that leads to an impromptu conversation.

Although we are the largest city in Madison County, our spirit is that of a small town, all keeping connected in one way or another, often helping one another and coming together in support of whoever may be in need. In my thoughts we haven\u2019t strayed far from our founder\u2019s legacy, but we have grown and diversified and built upon that strong foundation.

As the years tick by and we grow older we learn to cherish the past, but to also embrace the future of change. The resilience and the strength and determination of all who call this place home share a feeling of hope and hometown pride that sends a welcoming message that we are indeed still the \u201cAll American City\u201d and the best is yet to come.
<\/p>\n\n\n

\n\n\n

The Mayor, Mike Parkinson Speaking Series Was Held Tuesday June 11,2024<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

On\u00a0June 11, 2024, Mayor Mike Parkinson hosted the Mayor\u2019s Listening Series, a dynamic platform for residents, businesses, and community leaders to connect with the new administration. The event focused on two critical topics: City Budget and the sale of the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Mayor Parkinson outlined the rationale behind this decision, highlighting potential benefits for the community. He also emphasized transparency and accountability in managing the city\u2019s finances. He shared insights into the current budget, revenue streams, and strategic allocations.<\/p>\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

The Mayor\u2019s Listening Series isn\u2019t just about dialogue; it\u2019s about action.\u00a0\u00a0One of the announcements made during tonight\u2019s meeting was that the retail store \u201c5 Below\u201d will be coming to Granite City. Mayor Parkinson\u2019s commitment to active listening ensures that Granite City thrives and evolves. Stay tuned for future sessions, where they will delve into additional critical topics affecting our community.\u00a0You can watch the entire\u00a0video of the speaking series by following this link.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

\n\n\n

Rocksie, The Inspirational Rock Snake Finds a
New<\/strong>\u00a0Home in Wilson Park<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

In the heart of Granite City, Illinois, a colorful and inspiring project has taken root. Rocksie, the painted rock snake. Nestled near the sunken gardens in\u00a0Wilson Park, Rocksie has become a symbol of community kindness and creativity. Rocksie\u2019s journey began when needing a new safe home. Lorri and Katy, the GraniteCityGossip.com website owners enlisted the help of Justin Brinkmeyer, Director of Parks and Recreation. With a keen eye for the perfect location, Justin found a spot for Rocksie to thrive. Wilson Park, with its lush greenery and serene atmosphere, welcomed this unique addition.<\/p>\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Rocksie isn\u2019t just any snake; she\u2019s adorned with uplifting messages and vibrant designs. Each rock contributes to her colorful scales, reminding visitors that kindness is contagious. The community rallied behind the project, thanks to the initiative by GraniteCityGossip.com. Children and adults alike are joining in, painting rocks and adding them to Rocksie\u2019s length. We hope to see Rocksie grow longer each day as park visitors contribute their own painted rocks. Each one carries a message of hope, encouragement, or simply a smile. Next time you visit Wilson Park, take a moment to admire Rocksie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Add your own painted rock to her colorful body and be part of this heartwarming project. Let kindness ripple through the community, one rock at a time. Remember, even a small act of kindness can create a beautiful mosaic of compassion. Rocksie\u2019s journey continues, and her scales tell stories of love, resilience, and community spirit. Lorri, Katy, Lacy, and Lori Kay: These community members spearheaded the effort, hoping to spread kindness and inspiration throughout Granite City.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

State Senator Erica Harriss<\/strong>\u00a0successfully wrapped up her First Annual Kids Fair Event at The Mill in Granite City on Saturday, welcoming over 150 children and their families to the free event.

\u201cThe Mill area in Granite City has undergone extensive revitalization recently,\u201d said Senator Harriss. \u201cHosting this event in this area seemed like a natural fit to encourage families from around the 56th District to come visit not only for the great activities at the kids fair, but also to encourage people to visit the area and local businesses. Seeing the kids have fun and see some of these emergency trucks up close and interact with our first responders is one of the reasons we held this event.\u201d

This year\u2019s Kids Fair featured nearly a dozen vendors, face painting, a balloon artist, karaoke, and several safety and construction vehicles that allowed children the chance to \u201ctouch-a-truck\u201d and see them up close.

The vendors that participated in this year\u2019s Kids Fair included the City of Granite City, Kraft Heinz, Meridian Managed Care Plans of Illinois, Bright Point, Granite City Park District, Illinois Department of Human Services, Madison County Family Community Resource Center, Riverbend Head Start & Family Services, Six Mile Regional Library District, St. Clair County Coordinator Intake, and State Representative Amy Elik.
<\/p>\n\n\n

\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n\n

From the Desk of Madison County Treasurer Chris Slusser<\/strong>
Tax Bills are in the Mail from
Patrick McRae,\u00a0Chief Deputy Treasurer<\/em>
to GraniteCityGossip.com<\/p>\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Slusser said his office is set to mail tax bills on more than 135,000 parcels this week.
\u00a0
\u201cThe first due date is July 3,\u201d Slusser said. \u201cSubsequent due dates fall on Sept 3, Oct 3 and Dec 3. \u201cOnce again, everyone in our office has worked very hard to guarantee tax bills were mailed out in a timely fashion.\u201d
\u00a0
Madison County has encountered an increase in the real estate market over the past three years, which caused property values to rise.\u00a0With the increased assessed values, taxing districts had the ability to levy (collect) more.\u00a0Keep Reading\u2026<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

\n\n\n

June 2024 Archives<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Rocksie isn\u2019t just any snake; she\u2019s adorned with uplifting messages and vibrant designs. Each rock contributes to her colorful scales, reminding visitors that kindness is contagious. The community rallied behind the project, thanks to the initiative by GraniteCityGossip.com. Children and adults alike are joining in, painting rocks and adding them to Rocksie\u2019s length. We hope … Continue reading “July 2023 Archives”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-17852","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17852","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17852"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17852\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18023,"href":"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17852\/revisions\/18023"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17852"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}