Good morning, Belleville.

People from across St. Clair County will join the Out of the Darkness Walk in Belleville on Saturday, October 18 to support suicide prevention and raise funds for mental health programs sponsored by the Illinois Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

The walk starts at 9:30 a.m. at The Square — check-in begins at 8:30 a.m.

Ameren Illinois said rising electricity prices come from a MISO auction that raised supply costs from $30 per megawatt to $666 per megawatt this summer—prices should drop after September as the company works with policymakers and helps customers cut energy use.

Ameren is urging affected customers to conserve energy while it looks for long-term fixes to keep bills affordable.

IDOT will soon install solar panels at the Scott Dome Yard Maintenance Facility along I-64 in St. Clair County to help achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050—costing over $600,000—with construction expected to take three months.

Today, Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi celebrated starting construction on a solar panel field to power an IDOT storage facility along I-64 near Belleville.

The $617,700 project features 102 panels—monitored for performance—and will finish later this summer as part of the state’s clean energy goals.

Dueling Piano & Comedy Night

5-8 p.m. — Eckert's Pick Your Own Belleville Farm — Food & drink available for purchase — Enjoy an unforgettable evening of laughter and musical entertainment with dueling pianos and comedy.

The Fabulous Motown Revue Concert

5-8 p.m. — Eckert's Pick Your Own Belleville Farm — Cover fee required — Enjoy live Motown music in a family-friendly atmosphere with food and drink available for purchase.