Johnston City viewed as growing bedroom community
Mayor Kee predicts Johnston City will become a bedroom community as low taxes and a new high school attract families. Local business growth centers on Illinois 37 and I-57 with firms like McDonald’s Dollar General and Casey’s expanding. Residents cite safety, school reputation, and proximity to larger towns.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Johnston City
Kee
Illinois 37
Hardee’s
McDonald's
Dollar General Store
Casey’s General Store
John Moreland
West Frankfort
McDonald’s
Illinois
Moreland
Carrie Bunting
Bunting
Johnston City Demographic Shifts Highlight Aging Population
Johnston City's population fell by 149 from 1990 to 2000 with the median age rising from 37 to 39. Fewer residents are under 35 or aged 60 to 75, and nonwhite residents are under 2 percent. Unmarried rates grew especially among those never married while separations and widowed individuals declined. Grandparents number 82 with 54 as caregivers. Labor force size shrank but unemployment fell to 7.5 percent. Poverty rose among families with young children, 61 single-mother households.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Johnston City
Johnston City decline tied to vanished coal and rail jobs
Ellis explains Johnston City grew after rail placement and coal mining attracted settlers from Tennessee and Kentucky then declined as those industries waned. He cites economic overreliance and notes a history professor mayor of Carbondale as part of local lore and warns against single‑industry towns.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Johnston City
Ellis
Deaths: Clarmin Rigdon Mildred Winters Albert Choate Delphia Hill
Obituaries list four local deaths with dates December 2002. Clarmin Rigdon age 74 died December 6 in Sparta. services December 9 at Bethel Swanwick Cemetery officiated by Rev. Wilbur M. Franklin Sr. Memorials to First Baptist Church. Mildred Winters age 79 died December 6 in Marion Memorial Hospital. private services December 9. burial Herrin City Cemetery. Albert Choate age 75 died December 7 at home. arrangements incomplete at Schroeder McClure Funeral Chapel. Delphia Douglas Hill age 84, formerly Karnak, died December 7 in Charleston. arrangements incomplete at Wilson Funeral Home Karnak.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Clarmin
June Rigdon
Bethel Swanwick
Sparta
Wilbur M. Franklin Sr
First Baptist Church
Wilson
Tilden
West Frankfort
Mildred Winters
Marion Memorial Hospital
Herrin City Cemetery
Parker-Reedy Funeral Home
Rockwood
Albert Choate
Schroeder
McClure Funeral
Chester
Karnak
Delphia Douglas Hill
Charleston
Wilson Funeral Home
Shimkus Opens Harrisburg Office After Election Victory
Congressman Shimkus opens a new office in Harrisburg following his win in the November general election that reduced Illinois districts from 20 to 19. He will maintain preannounced hours across the district and conduct biannual meetings in outlying communities to stay accessible to constituents. staff noted about 7,000 cases handled in six years.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Shimkus
Phelps
Tomaszewski
Also Mentioned on This Page
Dollar General
Marion
Tim Petrowich
Pamela Kay Schmalenberger
The
Santa
University Mall
Uyp
Your Style
Your Stores
Gap
Gap Kids
Carbondale
Myuniversitymall. Com
Tim.petrowich
Thesouthern
Cynthia Fraed
Marsha Meiners, Pasg
Eesulls
Pete
N. Russell Marion, IL
Delphia Hill
Harrisburg
John.homan
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