Costello to circulate petition to keep WSRC open
<span>In the wake of Gov. Bruce Rauner's threat to suspend operations at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta, State Rep. Jerry Costello II (D-Smithton) is planning a petition drive.</span>
<span>Announced Tuesday, the first petition is to keep the WSRC open. In a June 12 news release, Rauner announced the site would become closed to the public beginning Sept. 1 if a new budget deal is not in place by July 1 or if the one approved by the Democrat-led state legislature is in place.</span>
<span>"No. 1, obviously the shooting complex is a vital economic engine for Southern Illinois," Costello said. "Not just for our district, but for all of Southern Illinois."</span>
<span>Costello said he thinks Rauner is "getting bad political advice."</span>
<span>"Cuts to the shooting complex, cuts to (agriculture) education, county fairs, I don't think those are practical business decisions," he said. "And to be frank, I think the governor is getting bad political advice.</span>
<span>"These are issues that are paramount to Southern Illinois."</span>
<span>The other petition is to keep funding for agricultural education and agricultural education in the classroom.</span>
<span>"Agriculture is No. 1 business in the state of Illinois," Costello said. "When you look at cutting funding for Ag. education, that is the future of Illinois and the future of Southern Illinois."</span>
<span>Costello said he will personally deliver the petitions to Rauner's office in Springfield and is also thinking about an online version.</span>
<span>"He's from Chicago and this is Southern Illinois," Costello said, referring to Rauner. "He has to understand these issues are paramount to Southern Illinois."</span>
For more information about the petitions, please contact Costello's constituent service office located at 124 Locust St. in Red Bud, by phone at 618-282-7284 or by email at StateRepCostello@gmail.com.
An online version of the petition can be accessed below: