Southern Illinois

Johnson County, IL. Supports Moratorium on Fracking

Whitney Jones — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:14:51 +0000

Johnson County has joined other counties in southern Illinois supporting a moratorium on horizontal hydraulic fracturing.

Vice Chairman Phil Stewart was the one Johnson County Commissioner who did not support the one-year moratorium. He says the area needs the jobs.

“Johnson County is, you know, a poor county, needs some revenue,” Stewart says. “And I think it would help.”

But, Stewart says most of the jobs would be temporary.

Southern Illinois County to Discuss Fracking

Whitney Jones — Wed, 08 May 2013 21:22:00 +0000

Some Johnson County Illinois residents are asking their county commissioners to consider supporting a 2-year moratorium on hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” as oil and gas companies continue to look at southern Illinois land for extraction.

Johnson County Economic Development Director Ronald Duncan said if fracking begins it could bring some money the county’s way.

“If we take examples of the economic impact that it’s had in other places,” he said.” I’m thinking specifically of southeastern Ohio, the Dakotas. You see this very, very strong impact up front. A lot of people coming to town, a lot of trucks, a lot of lunches sold at the counter. Just the sheer number of people doing that work coming in perhaps could boost the retail trade here in our community significantly.”

Southern IL Sees Sharp Increase in Child Sex Abuse

Whitney Jones — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 13:45:31 +0000

An Illinois Department of Children and Family Services report shows a 6 percent increase of child sex abuse across the state, but most of the southern counties have a much higher rate. The report compared sex abuse allegations from July 1 to Nov. 30 of this year to the same time period last year. Massac, Hardin, Johnson and Saline counties all had more than twice the state average of reported child sex abuse.

Illinois’ 12th Congressional District Debate Tonight

Dave Shinall and The Associated Press — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 14:31:05 +0000