Costello to not seek re election after 24 years in Congress
U S Representative Jerry Costello of Belleville will not run again in 2012, ending 24 years in the House. President Barack Obama praised his service and lauded his advocacy for southwestern and Southern Illinois. Costello said he is not retiring, plans to pursue other work perhaps in teaching or consulting, and remains in good health.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
U.S
Jerry Costello
Congress
Illinois
Costello
Belleville
House of Representatives
Barack Obama
Southwestern
Obama
Jerry
D-Belleville
U.S. House
House
Sign of the times heating aid rush grows
Local LIHEAP coordinators report a surge in applications as many residents seek help with winter heating bills. Kim Rutherford of Crosswalk Community Action Agency notes it is unreal how many people have applied and many are first-time applicants due to job losses.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kim Rutherford
Liheap
Crosswalk Community Action Agency
Alarming assaults at Menard prison amid crowding
The John Howard Association reports a dangerously high inmate to staff ratio at Menard Correctional Center in Chester with 14 staff assaults since January including a library incident sending a officer to hospital with facial fractures. The watchdog cites overcrowding and understaffing as core problems, noting half year lockdowns and 21 to 22 hours confinement for inmates while warning of potential lawsuits amid broader corrections crises in Illinois.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Springfield
John Howard Association
Menard
Chester
Illinois
St. Louis
Vandalia
Taylorville
Department of Corrections
Pat Quinh
Association
Corrections
Sharyn Elman
Southern File
Menard Correctional Center
Legislators say ruling on closures not final yet
Independent arbitrator Ed win Benn rebuked Gov. Quinn’s plan to close seven state facilities and lay off 1,900 workers, including Chester Mental Health Center and Illinois Youth Center at Murphysboro. Benn says the plan breaches a 2011 vow to avoid layoffs and to keep facilities open through June 30, 2012, while lawmakers say funding shortfalls justify closures. Best notes the decision may not bind the governor, who still holds executive power to act.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pat Quinn
Edwin Benn
Chester Mental Health Center
Illinois Youth Center
Murphysboro
Benn
Quinn
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union
Mike Bost
Bost
House
Also Mentioned on This Page
Thesouthern.com
Steve Jahnke
the Southern Siu
Adrian Miller
Carbondale
Poyrt
Becky Malkovich
California
Jovn Howard Association Report
Luechtefeld
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!