Essence Anthony’s diagnosis of functional neurological disorder helped her rediscover her love for painting.

East St. Louis School District 189 stood to lose the most money — $19 million for a major HVAC project — of any Illinois district. The district's spokeswoman said the judge's decision is "encouraging."

Five schools in East St. Louis are all set to lose their after-school programs. If that happens, just two of the district’s programs will be left, and approximately 300 students will be impacted.

Illinois finalized its PFAS limits in 2025, which is why some Metro East residents have been receiving letters from the Illinois EPA that PFAS have been detected above the limits.

AmeriCorps in Belleville and East St. Louis are just two of the latest offices scattered across the country that have been ordered to halt operations.

Currently, Collinsville High School students may use devices in the classroom for educational purposes with teacher permission, during passing periods, before school and at lunch.

The rally on Sunday was hosted by three of the affected districts: the Collinsville Kahoks, Mascoutah Indians and Granite City Warriors.

Leaders of the Metro East city believe the project will be transformative. Construction on buildings will begin in one year, and the developers say it will be complete by 2033.

A federal judge accepted the joint dismissal of the lawsuit against Prairie State Generating Co. Both the coal plant and the Illinois Sierra Club praised the conclusion.

U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski criticized Republican leaders, who she blamed for the cuts while drawing attention to the impact on Metro East communities.