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COMMENTARY BY MIKE KOZIATEK mkoziatek@bnd.com
Editor's note: Mike Koziatek wrote this letter to subscribers earlier this month. We're sharing it with all BND readers today.
Belleville News-Democrat readers will always want to know what's happening in their neighborhood and how their local leaders are spending the public's money.
And that's where the BND's team of reporters shine.
I'm proud to be a member of this team that works every day to bring news reports to our readers.
I joined the News-Democrat in 1998 as an assistant city editor and now I serve as a reporter covering the general assignment and Belleville City Hall beats.
I grew up on the St. Louis side of the river and went to De Smet Jesuit High School.
The BND is my sixth newspaper in a career that began in 1983 after I graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee. Before moving to Belleville, I worked for newspapers in Missouri, Florida and South Carolina.
During this time, I received multiple awards for stories that I have written or co-written. One of my favorite commendations was being part of Editor & Publisher's inaugural class of "15 Over 50" in 2020. The trade magazine honored myself and 14 others nationwide for their "passion" to support the news industry.
My recent Belleville News-Democrat articles include the following:
When I'm not researching and writing news articles for the BND, I enjoy spending time with my family and pursuing hobbies such as golfing, hiking, cheering for the Cardinals, Blues and Packers and growing vegetables in my garden. If you like salsas, you really should try making one of my favorites: a grilled tomatillo and serrano pepper salsa. Let me know if you want the recipe!
But if you're not into hot salsa, I still want to hear from you.
If you have a story idea or have a question that you want answered by either myself or my colleagues, feel free to call me at 618-239-2502 or send me an email at mkoziatek@bnd.com.
I appreciate your support and thank you for subscribing.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 7, 2025 Contact Information: Contact: Alison Maley, government & public relations director Phone: (217) 299-3122 Email: alison@ilprincipals.org
Dr. Angie Codron named president of the Illinois Principals Association
The Illinois Principals Association (IPA) is proud to announce that Dr. Angie Codron, principal of Normal West High School in Normal, Illinois, will serve as president for the 2025–2026 school year. The IPA’s theme for the year is “TeamWorks,” which will be celebrated at the Education Leaders Annual Conference in October 2025. “TeamWorks means we can accomplish more together than we ever could alone," Dr. Codron said. "My leadership philosophy is rooted in building strong systems that help teams work effectively toward big goals. I’m grateful to the IPA for the chance to highlight how both our personal and professional teams make a real difference in the lives of those we serve." Dr. Jason Leahy, executive director for the Illinois Principals Association, said, “Dr. Codron is an exceptional leader. Her vision for teamwork will continue to propel the IPA forward as we strive to effectively serve school leaders together.” Dr. Codron has been an active member of the IPA since 2016. She serves on the IPA Board of Directors representing the Corn Belt region and has previously held roles as the region’s diversity & equity chair and treasurer. Now in her 10th year at Normal West High School, Dr. Codron served as associate principal for seven years before becoming principal three years ago. Over her 25-year career in education, she has held various leadership roles including science teacher, assessment coach, basketball coach, and member of several district strategic planning committees. Her work is driven by a passion for building effective, trust-based systems that support team accountability and high achievement. Dr. Codron earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Education and a master’s degree in Athletic Administration from Eastern Illinois University, where she was also recognized as a Women’s Basketball Academic All-American. She later completed her Type 75 and Superintendent Certificates, as well as her Doctorate, at Illinois State University. She is also a proud mother of two sons: AJ, a Golden Apple Scholar and incoming freshman at Illinois State University studying elementary education and coaching; and Carson, who will be entering eighth grade at Bloomington Junior High. The Illinois Principals Association is a professional organization serving more than 6,700 educational leaders across Illinois. Learn more at www.ilprincipals.org.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 1, 2025 Contact Information: Contact: Alison Maley, government & public relations director Phone: (217) 299-3122 Email: alison@ilprincipals.org
Illinois Principals Association names new executive board and board members
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Principals Association, which serves more than 6,600 educational leaders throughout the state of Illinois, announces the following school leaders to serve as the Executive Board for the IPA, effective July 1, 2025.
Other new board members include:
For information about other board members and IPA regions, please visit www.ilprincipals.org/board and www.ilprincipals.org/regions. The Illinois Principals Association mission is to develop, support, and advocate for innovative educational leaders. For more information about the IPA, please visit www.ilprincipals.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 4, 2025 Contact Information: Media Contact: Garth Reynolds, executive director Illinois Pharmacists Association Phone: (217) 522-7300 Email: greynolds@ipha.org Website: ipha.org | @ILPharmacists
IPhA applauds historic passage of HB1697: The Prescription Drug Affordability Act
IPhA applauds historic passage of HB1697: The Prescription Drug Affordability Act comprehensive PBM reform law strengthens patient protections and supports community pharmacies statewide
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Pharmacists Association (IPhA) celebrates the General Assembly’s passage of HB1697, the Prescription Drug Affordability Act, a landmark achievement in the fight to protect patients, enhance transparency, and preserve access to pharmacy care across Illinois. This legislation was a central focus of Governor JB Pritzker’s 2025 State of the State address, where he emphasized the need to confront harmful pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices that have driven up drug costs, jeopardized local pharmacies, and strained patient access to care. HB1697 now delivers on that call to action with sweeping, enforceable reforms. “I am thrilled that this legislation will finally reverse the alarming trend of pharmacy closures across our great state,” IPhA President Dave Bagot said. “HB1697 represents not just a policy victory, but a commitment to preserving access to essential health care services in communities throughout Illinois.” IPhA extends its sincere gratitude to Senator David Koehler and Representative Natalie Manley for championing this legislation. Their leadership has resulted in one of the most significant PBM reform packages in the country, built on transparency, accountability, and patient-centered care. HB1697 directly targets systemic failures in the prescription drug marketplace. The law eliminates spread pricing that has diverted millions away from patient care, ends PBM steering practices that restrict pharmacy choice, and mandates 100 percent rebate passthrough to ensure savings are returned to patients and health plans. It also institutes robust regulatory oversight through required annual transparency reports, plan audits, and market conduct examinations. The bill also provides vital financial relief to the state’s most vulnerable pharmacies. HB1697 allocates $45 million annually to sustain critical access pharmacies and invests an additional $25 million to enhance pharmacy access. These provisions are designed to stop the ongoing wave of pharmacy closures and restore access in both rural and urban areas. “This bill is a turning point. Illinois is making it clear that we will no longer allow corporate middlemen to undermine patient care and community health,” said Garth Reynolds, executive director of IPhA. “HB1697 restores transparency, puts patients first, and gives independent and community pharmacies a fair chance to survive and serve.” HB1697 would not have been possible without the relentless advocacy of pharmacists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and patients across the state. As the legislation now heads to Governor Pritzker for signature, IPhA remains focused on supporting its full implementation and defending its critical protections. “We reached this moment because our profession stood united and refused to accept the status quo,” Reynolds added. “This law is a meaningful step forward in building a health care system that works for Illinois patients.” About the Illinois Pharmacists Association The Illinois Pharmacists Association (IPhA) is dedicated to enhancing the professional competency of pharmacists, advancing the standards of pharmacy practice, improving pharmacists’ effectiveness in assuring rational drug use in society, and leading in the resolution of public policy issues affecting pharmacists.
Click Image to Find the IPA Disaster Checklist!