BREAKING NEWS: Illinois covid numbers soared to record highs yesterday, with almost 12,000 new cases of the virus, record hospitalizations and deaths, and with more omicron cases being identified in the state, both Gov. JB Pritkzer and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot are talking about more restrictions being put in place. The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 11,858 new confirmed and probable cases of covid over the last 24 hours, a record high for 2021, and the highest since Dec. 1, 2020, when 12,542 new cases were reported. The state is now averaging more than 8,000 new cases per day,... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Quad-Cities covid numbers are reaching a “critical” zone, according to local health officials, as area hospitals are jammed and local doctors and nurses are exhausted trying to keep up with the overflow due to covid cases. In the Iowa Quad-Cities, the situation is in a “critical” state according to the Scott County Health Department. “The COVID-19 situation is critical in our community: ICUs are full, resources are tight, staff are overwhelmed, emergency departments are housing critically ill patients, and there is no end in sight as COVID cases continue... Read More

Eight Western Illinois University law enforcement and justice administration (LEJA) students recently received awards from Go West/McDonough County Transit for their work as Go West security officers. Nakyah Smith, a sophomore from Chicago, was named “Security Officer of the Semester” for her ability to handle critical situations with professionalism and for excellent performance throughout the semester. Seth Lewandowski, a senior from West Chicago, was recognized with the “Exceptional Mentorship Award” for going above and beyond his duties as an officer and the hours spent... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Illinois covid numbers have continued to explode, with more omicron cases being identified in the state, and both Gov. JB Pritkzer and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot talking about more restrictions being put in place, possibly in the next week as omicron ominously looms. The Illinois Department of Public Health released its latest data today, and as has been the case the past month, the numbers are not good. There are currently 3,513 patients hospitalized due to COVID in the state of Illinois, once again hitting a record as the highest number of patients in a year. In the past two... Read More

For eight years, Western Illinois University Associate Professor of English Barbara Lawhorn has shared the love of literacy and WIU with area school children, with her English 100 students writing letters of inspiration to elementary and secondary students in the region. This semester, Lawhorn’s English 100 students have sent letters, along with literacy kits, to 34 West Prairie Middle School eighth grade students in WIU 2021 English Education Graduate Connor Sullivan’s classroom. According to Lawhorn, her 41 students have written letters to each student to encourage literacy and share... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Lora Lidaywa, procurement officer supervisor at Western Illinois University, has been named the director of purchasing at WIU, effective Dec. 1. Lidaywa has served as the procurement officer supervisor since September 2012. In this role, she was responsible for bids and proposals of $100,000 and more; serving as the lead buyer for construction projects; serving as a trainer for purchasing procedures; served as the P-card administrator; and built and maintained vendor relations to ensure BEP compliance. Previously, she was a purchasing officer III for four years. Lidaywa joined... Read More

The Quad Cities Chamber has ambitious goals aimed at strengthening the regional economy. For the region to reach half a million residents and for the GDP to top $35 billion, public policies must be put in place to support and enhance efforts to grow. The Chamber’s 2022 Regional Advocacy priorities are focused on four key areas that work together to create a prosperous regional economy where all can thrive: Talent attraction and development Placemaking Foster a business-friendly environment Economic recovery from COVID-19 “The Quad Cities Chamber is asking state, local and federal elected... Read More

KoЯn is heading out on tour this spring with special guests Chevelle & Code Orange and will make a stop at Moline’s TaxSlayer Center on March 25! Tickets on sale this Friday, December 17 at 9am! https://taxslayercenter.com/  Read More

Western Illinois University was awarded a Bronze Seal Monday from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge for nonpartisan student voter participation efforts in the 2020 election. A Bronze Seal designates that WIU students had between 50-60 percent voter turnout in the last presidential election. “I am honored that the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge has recognized Western’s efforts to encourage student voting with this Excellence in Student Voter Engagement recognition,” said WIU Political Science Chair Keith Boeckelman. “We plan to continue this important work in upcoming... Read More

Santana will smoothly saunter onto the stage at Moline’s TaxSlayer Center at 8 p.m. Friday, April 15, 2022. Everyone needs a ticket no matter the age. Doors open at 6:30 pm No bags allowed except wallets and clutch size purses. TaxSlayer Center concession stands do not accept cash. All guests will be asked to walk through a stand-alone metal detector. Sale Dates and Times: Public Onsale : Fri, 17 Dec 2021 at 10:00 AM Santana Fan Club Presale : Tue, 14 Dec 2021 at 10:00 AM TaxSlayer Center Presale : Wed, 15 Dec 2021 at 10:00 AM More info? Click here.  Read More