It's a sad day in southern Illinois . . .

[DollyM]

I realize most people here are not from the southern part of Illinois but we really exist down here and are devastated by the latest news from our Governor. The unemployment rate in this area is already the highest in the state and now our Gov has announced that he plans to close Murray Center in Centralia. It employees 600 people in our small area and the economic effects of this are going to be devastating. Quin did find some money for recruiting Latino nurses in the Chicago area but seems to care less what happens to southern Illinois. Might as well put the house up for sale now and get ready to move out of state. There aren't many jobs here already and now he has sealed our fate. I hate the fact that I actually voted for Quin. MIght as well have voted for a Republican.

[mucifer]

1. I know I passed by a mental health center on the north side of Chicago and saw

people picketing to keep it open and it just made me cry. I knew picketing wouldn't help. It's so sad.

[monmouth]

2. A pal of mine had to leave Florida and move back to her hometown of Eldorado and is now in Hoyleton

She had a great job down here as a sales person for the trades but after home building stopped she was forced to move back. She's now working for a newspaper up there selling ads,,,no one is buying ads. I feel bad for you and her. A no win situation.

[grilled onions]

3. Way To Go Quin

Once again those that can't defend themselves,can't fight for their rights are losing their home,many are losing jobs and business's in the area will suffer. This is progress? Just how many of these residents would have the means to move into a private care facility? Using money as a goal post for all their ideas will only short change humanity as we know it. We can see it every day with the homeless being shuffled from street to street, the mental and physical being ignored or forced to live in the most lean facilities with often less then qualified or caring staff. The "once born" are ignored as are their mothers until she becomes pregnant again. The under employed,the out of work.... the list continues as we are all on that financial chopping block and the 1% cleavers never seem to tire of cutting us down.

[Sienna86]

4. I'm sorry to hear this.

The Governor will be making a lot of difficult decisions. I don't believe he intends harm. He's between a rock and a hard place with the fiscal state of Illinois. It's a mess. I hope the legislature will get to the reall cause of the fiscal emergency. We can still hope ( and vote).

[DollyM]

5. Quin is no friend of ours . . .

When there is nothing left in this part of the state but a few elderly and low income people, there will be no reason for business to stay here. There will be no one left to pay taxes and no businesses left to spend money at. The unemployment rate in our country alone is 12 percent. (I am included in that number as well but have given up on finding a job and plan to go out of the area to school instead.) Why doesn't Quin look at the hardest hit areas of the state and try to help us rather than selling us down the river? There has already been a long standing movement to split the state in two because we just do not get representation for our needs in this part of the state.