The Clock Starts Tomorrow on Development Bill

The fate of the Millennium Development bill now rests in the hands of the 59 members of the Illinois Senate which reconvenes tomorrow at 4 p.m.

Senate Bill 2093, the Innovative Development and Economy Act, would authorize the creation of a STAR Bonds District in Marion, Illinois.

State Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, is the chief Senate sponsor of the bill. As of this afternoon his office believes the bill will have its committee hearing sometime Thursday.

Meanwhile, the number of public officials supporting the project is now up to 54, according to Herrin Mayor Vic Ritter who gave a rousing endorsement at the recent Herrin City Council meeting.

If we're going to talk the regional economic talk, we've got to walk the regional economic walk.

Ritter noted that before Maytag closed its plant in his city, it employed residents not only from Herrin and Williamson County, but from 15 other surrounding counties. He expects the same from this plan.

Marion will come out smelling like a rose, but the entire area will benefit.

Ritter plans to join other public officials in Springfield Thursday.