Letter To Editor: Marsie Geldert-Murphey Responds to Alton Steel Closure  

Letter To Editor:

The following is a statement from Marsie Geldert-Murphey, candidate for Illinois State Senate in the 56th District, in response to the sudden closure of the Alton Steel plant:

“The news about Alton Steel is devastating. It’s devastating for our community and, more importantly, for the 250 workers and families who woke up to their lives being turned upside down.

“For so many families, this was more than a job. It was the stability they built everything around. To have that taken away without any warning is something no person should experience.

“For nearly 25 years, Alton Steel provided union jobs that helped people build a life here. When jobs like these disappear, the loss is deeply personal, and it adds to the pressure families are already feeling as costs rise and bills become harder to pay.

“Since learning about the closure, I’ve been working with local leaders and state partners to better understand what supports are available for the displaced workers. We need to utilize every tool at our disposal — EDGE tax credits, industrial training programs and other economic development incentives — to help these employees and the Alton community build a stronger, more resilient future."

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