MARYVILLE - State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is celebrating East Alton’s powerlifter Shirley Webb as one of the Illinois Department of Aging’s four inductees into 2020 Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame.

“An inspiration to many, Shirley Webb exemplifies the vitality of staying active and living a healthy lifestyle,” Crowe said. “Recognizing her hard work, commitment and dedication, I commend Shirley on this recognition and wish her the best in her future.”

After joining a gym six years ago and having recently celebrated her 83rd birthday, Webb is a member of the USA Powerlifting Team and has transformed herself into an international professional weight lifting competitor. 

Webb is selected as the 2020 inductee in the Performance/Graphic Arts Category for being an advocate for exercise and encouraging others to recognize the importance of having a regular fitness regimen at any stage of life.

The Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame was created by the Illinois General Assembly in 1994 to honor Illinois residents ages 65 and older for their personal achievements in four separate categories. Since then, 125 people have been inducted into the Hall of Fame including the 2020 inductees.

For more information, visit IDOA’s website.

MARYVILLE - To reduce roadside crashes and ensure safety for highway workers, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is reminding motorists of the importance of following Illinois’ “Move Over” law, also known as Scott’s Law.

“When residents drive carelessly, they put themselves, other drivers, highway workers and first responders at risk,” Crowe said. “To prevent potentially deadly roadside crashes, I urge drivers to be vigilant and follow the law by slowing down and giving stopped vehicles plenty of space.”

This Saturday, Oct. 17 is recognized as National Move Over Day. Scott’s Law and other move over laws require drivers to reduce their speed and move into another lane to protect roadside construction workers, first responders and other service vehicles.

In 2019, Crowe sponsored a measure to strengthen Scott’s Law, which increased the minimum fine and extended protections to any disabled vehicle with flashing lights. The law went into effect on Jan. 1, 2020.

“Our local first responders put their lives at risk every time they go to work for us,” Crowe said. “Following move over laws is a simple way to show our appreciation.”

WOOD RIVER – Following weeks of stricter COVID-19 guidelines in an effort to mitigate the virus in the Metro East, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is pleased local restaurants will be able to return to normal rules under Stage 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan.

“Our small businesses were the hit the hardest by this mitigation plan,” Crowe said. “Because of the commitment by the people of the Metro East to mask up and practice social distancing, these businesses will be able to return to operating how they were before the spike in cases.”

According to Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Region Four has continued to move in the right direction – resulting in a positivity rate below 6.5% for three days. The benchmark hit Friday allows the region to remove its additional mitigation rules at 5 p.m.

“I want to thank every community member who helped us get to this point,” Crowe said. “But, remember, it’s still important to continue to mask up. Though we all wish it was, the COVID-19 outbreak is not over yet.”

MARYVILLE – With the $67 million reconstruction project on Interstate 255 nearing completion, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) and State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) are alerting residents of a new road project slated to begin early next year in the Metro East.

“By investing in our local infrastructure, our state is committing to the transportation needs of Metro East residents,” Crowe said. “Ensuring reliable transportation for seniors, working families and students, all while creating construction jobs, is a start to getting our local economies back on track.”

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has released plans to resurface Illinois Route 157 starting on State Street in East St. Louis and ending on Petroff Drive in Caseyville. 

According to IDOT, the project is expected to be completed by Fall 2021 and totals $4.1 million. Motorists should anticipate longer travel times during construction, as single-lane closures may slow traffic.

Senators Belt and Crowe secured funding for this project and several others in the Metro East during negotiations of the state’s historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan in 2019, the state’s first infrastructure plan in a decade.

“Resurfacing Illinois 157 is a critical step in ensuring Metro East roads are safe for residents and travelers, and I’m thrilled to see it starting to take shape,” Belt said. “What’s more, the project will also create high-quality employment opportunities across the area during a time when jobs are scarce.”

More information on IDOT’s Metro East road projects can be found on its website.