Belleville News-Democrat week in review

Illinois grocers face closure amid SNAP benefit cuts

Independent grocers across Illinois are bracing for serious financial strain as thousands of households are set to lose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits this month under new work requirements tied to the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” With profit margins averaging just 1% to 2%, grocers say even modest drops in consumer spending could push stores toward closure. Craig Norrenberns, a fourth-generation grocer who owns four southern Illinois stores, warns that rising energy costs, tariffs, and reduced SNAP spending create a compounding crisis. Illinois Retail Merchants Association President Rob Karr says SNAP cuts put grocers at “real risk for closure,” potentially deepening food insecurity in the communities they serve. Food bank leaders note that for every meal pantries provide, SNAP covers nine, meaning food banks cannot absorb the anticipated surge in need. State programs and Gov. Pritzker’s discretionary relief efforts offer some support, but advocates say only federal action can provide meaningful relief.

Reported by Jenna Schweikert, published May 11

Remembering Bob Fritz, metro-east beer legend

Bob Fritz, who helped build Robert ‘Chick’ Fritz, Inc. into one of Illinois’s largest beer distributors south of Chicago, died April 28 at age 86 after never fully recovering from a January fall. Known as ‘Chick’ like his father, Fritz took over the Belleville-based company from his father, who founded it in Mascoutah in 1947. Beyond business, Fritz co-founded Belleville Oktoberfest in 1980 and Belleville Sister Cities in 1990. St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern described him as exceptional, with a ‘twinkle in his eye,’ and praised his ability to rally community members around meaningful causes. The company today employs about 150 people and distributes nearly five million cases of beer annually. A public celebration of life is scheduled from noon to 6 p.m. June 28 at the Scheve Park train depot in Mascoutah.

Reported by Teri Maddox, published May 12

Belleville to demolish 14 sites, including derelict homes

Belleville is moving forward with a spring demolition project targeting 14 locations, with the city paying Stutz Excavating of Alton $265,200 to tear down homes, garages, sheds and other structures. Three of the properties are owned by Topstone Investment, an out-of-state company officials have battled for years over property maintenance. The three Topstone properties will cost $50,600 to demolish. Also on the list is the historic Maule Mansion at 321 W. C St., an 1878 Italianate brick home deemed historically significant by the Belleville Historical Society. Efforts to save it failed after a fire damaged the upper level last fall. Belleville City Council approved the contract at its May 4 meeting, with Stutz submitting the lowest of five bids.

Reported by Teri Maddox, published May 8

El Niño could bring warmer winter to metro-east

Forecasters are watching for a potentially strong El Niño pattern that could develop within the next month or two, with implications for Illinois weather this winter. The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center reports a 61% chance of an El Niño pattern emerging between May and July. Melissa Delia, a meteorologist with the NWS St. Louis office, says there is about a 25% chance of a “very strong” El Niño developing. If it does emerge, Illinois could experience a slightly warmer and drier winter than usual, though Delia notes that snow and cold are still possible. The metro-east has a 33 to 40% chance of above-normal temperatures from May through July. An El Niño pattern could last anywhere from three months to just over a year.

Reported by Meredith Howard, published May 11

Edwardsville ranked among safest college towns in US

Edwardsville, Illinois, has been ranked 14th on a list of the 50 safest college towns in America, according to an analysis by academic rankings company Research.com. The city, home to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, recorded an overall crime rate of 6.07, a violent crime rate of 0.3, and a property crime rate of 5.77 per 1,000 residents. Research.com used FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data and U.S. Census Bureau population figures in its evaluation. SIUE Police Chief David Goodwin credited the ranking to collaboration between the university, city, and law enforcement. Edwardsville was one of three Illinois cities on the list, alongside Wheaton at No. 9 and Lisle at No. 11. The city was also previously recognized by GoBankingRates as one of the cheapest and safest places to live in the country.

Reported by Meredith Howard, published May 11

New art gallery opens in downtown Belleville this May

Public Defender Art + Zines, a new gallery and retail shop at 123 W. Main St. in downtown Belleville, opens May 15, coinciding with Art on the Square. Owned by local artists Danny Houk and Stacie Spaunhorst, the space is designed for artists and creatives to gather, share ideas, and display work. Opening exhibitions feature ceramics by Alisha Porter and Sheri White, with a reception from 5–7 p.m. on May 15. The retail shop offers indie comics, zines, and prints, modeled after Quimby’s in Chicago and Desert Island in Brooklyn. Future plans include a weekly artist brunch and an artist residency space.

Reported by Jennifer Green, published May 8

This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 12:29 PM with the headline "Belleville News-Democrat week in review."