Carbondale Reporter

Major transportation projects are planned for Illinois’ 58th Senate District in 2026, with over $107 million allocated for road and bridge improvements. The funding is part of the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Multi-Year Program, which aims to improve travel safety and strengthen local infrastructure.

“These investments are an important win for families, farmers, and businesses that depend on reliable and safe roads,” said State Senator Terri Bryant. The 2026 projects are included in a broader six-year plan expected to bring nearly $881 million in total projects across the district.

The bulletin also addressed the recent federal government shutdown. “On October 1, Democrats shut down the federal government after rejecting a bipartisan plan that would have kept it open,” said Bryant. She added, “Democrats had a choice: stability and responsibility or chaos and politics. By shutting down the government, they chose politics, and it is families who could be left paying the price.” According to Bryant, service members at Scott Air Force Base, seniors statewide, veterans seeking care, working parents needing assistance programs, and small businesses may all feel negative effects from the shutdown.

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Statistics show breast cancer is diagnosed every two minutes among women in the United States. One in eight women will face a diagnosis during their lifetime. In 2025 alone, more than 316,000 women and 2,800 men are expected to be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer nationwide. Early detection leads to a five-year survival rate of 99 percent.

The Illinois Archery Deer Season began on October 1 this year. For some counties without firearm seasons—such as Cook, DuPage, Lake, and eastern Kane County—the season runs continuously through January 18. In other areas with firearm seasons or west of Route 47 in Kane County, archery hunting occurs during three specific periods between October and January. Hunters are reminded that tree stands cause most hunting accidents; reviewing safety practices is strongly recommended by state officials.

Illinois continues to lead U.S. pumpkin production. In 2024 alone, farmers harvested more than 485 million pounds of pumpkins according to USDA data. Most pumpkins used for processing come from Illinois—particularly Morton—which processes over 85 percent of canned pumpkin globally.

Bryant has represented the state’s 58th Senate District since her election in 2021 as a Republican lawmaker replacing Paul Schimpf.

For more information about ongoing projects or seasonal activities mentioned above:

- To view details about IDOT’s six-year Highway Improvement Program for the district visit https://idot.click/HighwayImprovement.

- For information on breast cancer awareness see https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/.

- Hunting regulations can be found at https://huntillinois.org/, while deer harvest reports are available at https://deer.wildlifeillinois.org/harvest-reports.

- Pumpkin patch locations statewide can be explored at https://www.enjoyillinois.com/travel-illinois/pumpkin-patches/.