Luechtefeld working with area leaders to deal with facility closures

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[With the very real possibility that hundreds of jobs could be lost at Chester Mental Health Center and the Illinois Youth Center at Murphysboro, State Sen. Dave Luechtefeld (R-Okawville) said he is committed to working with area leaders.

"I have told the regional and statewide media outlets; I'm not completely convinced Governor Quinn will follow through on his plan to close seven state facilities. I will however exercise extreme caution and work to prevent the worst," Luechtefeld said. "As we progress throughout the coming months, rumors will come and go and as a result I will be working to keep area constituents informed on the closure process."

Senator Luechtefeld has already met with officials and leaders from Chester Mental Health Center and will be visiting the IYC in Murphysboro.

On the Senator's Web site, www.luechtefeld.senategop.org, constituents will find the latest information concerning the two facility closures. The Senator urged constituents to sign-up for e-mail updates that will be generated by his office.

The gold-colored "CHMC and IYC@M" information and the e-mail sign-up icons are located on the top-right-hand side of the Web site.