State Senator Gary Forby joined with local officials and scores of Mt. Vernon area residents in celebrating the completion of Crossroads Community Hospital's $23 million expansion.

"Southern Illinois and its elected representatives, whether Democrat or Republican, stand together to get things done. This facility means jobs and good health care for the region," Forby said. "My parents received great care at Crossroads and this addition will lead to even better health care."

State Senator Gary Forby and State Representative Brandon Phelps were pleased to see the governor’s office and the union representing prison workers agree to a temporary halt to inmate transfers until after the two sides have held an arbitration meeting.

“This entire process has been too rushed,” Phelps said.  “I’m very concerned that in their haste to close Tamms and other correctional facilities, the governor’s administration has put the health and safety of the people, prison guards, and even inmates at risk, so I’m glad to see inmate transfers temporarily stopped.”

“I know that the decision to stop transferring prisoners is only temporary, but I hope it becomes permanent,” Forby said.  “There are too many jobs at stake, Illinois’ prisons are already overcrowded, and it just makes no sense to move inmates from one of Illinois’ newest operational prisons to two of its oldest prisons.”

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State Senator Gary Forby and State Representative Brandon Phelps spoke out in support of the Joppa Energy Center at an Illinois Pollution Control Board hearing this morning.  The facility needs an extension on the deadline to upgrade its equipment in order to meet Illinois pollution standards.

“There are 164 good-paying jobs at stake here,” Forby said.  “The company has promised to meet pollution standards.  It just needs a little more time.”

“This facility contributes millions of dollars to the local economy,” added Phelps.  “If the power plant is forced to close, it will have a devastating effect on hundreds of families.”

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