CARTERVILLE, IL (KFVS) - Ladies of all ages are invited to the Carterville Community Center for a Mother & Daughter Tea to benefit The Women’s Center.

Organizers say the event will be held on on Sunday,  April 28,  from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Women’s Center serves seven counties in southern Illinois ~ Franklin, Jackson, Johnson, Perry, Saline, Union and Williamson. 

New this year is  a silent auction, story time for the youngest ladies, and the Mother’s Day Marketplace.

Cristaudo’s will be catering the event. Entertainment for the tea will be 14-year-old singer/songwriter Hannah Herron, and Southern Illinois Dance Company. 

Tickets for the Mother & Daughter Tea are now available at The Women’s Center, 610 S. Thompson Street, Carbondale, IL 62901, by mail, or by contacting Ursini at 618-549-4807 x 228, or wcds@thewomensctr.org. 

MT. VERNON, IL (KFVS) - Governor Pat Quinn and Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider unveiled a six-year, $12.62 billion construction program that will improve roads and bridges throughout Illinois while making major investments in public transportation.

Projects in southern Illinois include:

MARION, IL (KFVS) - Mayor Robert L. Butler celebrated 50 years in office on April 16.

Elected in 1963, Mayor Butler succeeded in getting reelected 12 times to the office of Mayor of Marion, Ill., making him the longest serving Mayor living today.

Mayor Butler has long been known as a progressive force in Southern Illinois political circles, and is credited for much of the growth of this area in recent years.

Mayor Butler’s tenure in office was celebrated in a series of events taking place in Marion on April 16, beginning with a reception at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center at 10:30 a.m.

Area dignitaries have been invited to share memories of Mayor Butler, along with vocal performances by individuals from the community, and a video highlight of the Mayor’s many achievements.

Immediately following the program at the Civic Center at 11:30 a.m., was the unveiling of a statue commemorating the Mayor’s 50-years in office.