By Illinois Public Radio
Springfield, Ill – In the coming months, representatives from military bases all over the country will begin lobbying to keep their facilities open.
Congressman Jerry Costello is already working on his pitch. He says keeping Scott Air Force base open is crucial to southern Illinois and the Metro-East.
"Scott is the largest employer south of Springfield," Costello said. "It's the fourth largest employer in the St. Louis metropolitan area. And it plays a major role in the defense of our nation."
Costello says Scott is poised to take on new missions, as it did during the last round of closures in 1995.
He says he's working with House speaker Dennis Hastert to make sure a Metro-East representative sits on the committee that will make the final decision.