Our View: Our region’s incumbent senators, Republican Dave Luechtefeld and Democrat Gary Forby, deserve your support for re-election.

In some elections, voters face a choice between officer seekers who appear to be something other than top-shelf candidates. The choice may be seen as picking the lesser of two evils. That won’t be the case Nov. 6 in voting for the 58th State Senate District or the 59th State Senate District.

Incumbent Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, and challenger Michael Bigler, D-Anna, are each qualified to serve as the senator in the 58th District. Incumbent Gary Forby, D-Benton, and challenger Mark Minor, R-Ewing, are each qualified to serve as the senator in the 59th District.

In a sense, voters can’t lose. But in a larger sense, there are enough differences between Luechtefeld and Bigler, and between Forby and Minor, to select the more-qualified candidates.

Experience as a lawmaker is the biggest difference and a main reason The Southern Illinoisan endorses both Republican Luechtefeld and Democrat Forby for re-election.

58th State Senate District

Luechtefeld, a state senator since 1995, is facing an aggressive challenger in Bigler, a city councilman and past school board member at Anna-Jonesboro Community High School. If the incumbent falls short in the Nov. 6 vote, it very well might be linked to Bigler having drawn attention to Luechtefeld taking a vacation cruise just weeks before the election.

Voters who are struggling to pay bills, or find work, may be sufficiently irked by Luechtefeld’s absence to vote for the challenger. But it should not be the defining issue against an effective, veteran lawmaker who is well-connected to the 58th District — most of it unchanged from the redistricting map drawn in the wake of the 2010 Census.

Bigler talks about holding the line on state spending, but Luechtefeld has been walking the walk for years — though not as effectively as he would if Republicans, not Democrats, controlled state leadership and the General Assembly. Luechtefeld has been right on the issues and in tune with his constituents.

The state’s financial crisis wasn’t created overnight and during his interview with the editorial board of The Southern Illinoisan, Luechtefeld cautioned against hopes for speedy solutions. He said he won’t support shifting the state employees’ pension burden to local government and explained it will be necessary to “hold the line on government spending for a long time, which no one wants to do, especially those guys in Chicago.”

Vote for Dave Luechtefeld for state senator in the 58th District.

59th State Senate District

Campaign spending in the race between Forby and Minor is gaining media attention statewide, with the Forby campaign responsible for the greatest portion of $1.1 million spent — a total destined to climb through Election Day.

The Republican challenger, Minor, likely will attract votes from those who believe it will not be possible to change the spending habits of state government without taking the balance of power away from the Democratic Party. Other voters will warm to his pledge against taking a legislative pension and refusing to be part of any pension reform plan calling for cuts to benefits of retirees or current employees.

Forby acknowledges the difficulties of campaigning as a Democrat, given the region’s hostility toward the Chicago Democratic voting bloc that controls the state. But during his interview with the editorial board, Forby talked about his ability to work collegially with Chicago lawmakers — ensuring the district gets its fair share of state attention and project funding.

Forby said he was proud of the work he did to bring new coal mines into the region and pledged to focus his energies if re-elected on job creation — the key to easing the state’s fiscal crisis.

“Putting people to work, getting unemployment down takes care of a lot of the state problems — your pensions, paying our bills on time,” Forby said. On the pension front, in addition to pledging not to cut benefits of retirees or current employees, Forby said all pension stakeholders need to participate in pension reform discussions and agreements.

Minor, a pastor, is a highly qualified and capable elected official who serves as the school board president of Benton Consolidated High School. He would be an effective state senator, but it would take him years to build the connections and clout wielded by Forby. It is a significant difference between the candidates — one further amplified by Forby’s considerable and documented efforts to aid his constituents.

Vote for Gary Forby for state senator in the 59th District.

Speaking to a large crowd at the event, Forby reminded everyone how important this election cycle will be.

“This election isn’t about me. It isn’t about my opponent. It is about you, your kids, and your grandkids. This is about choosing what is best for you,” Forby explained. “We have several issues that need to be dealt with in Springfield and you will make the decision about how we will solve these issues.”

Forby went on to explain that he has always been and will continue to be vocal about his most important issue.

“Jobs are my number one issue. Since becoming a legislator, I have done everything I can to promote and create jobs in Illinois,” Forby said. “You can look at my record and see the importance that I have placed on job creation. Because when you have a job you can pay your bills; you can buy health insurance, a car, pay for education and make a payment on your house.”

“It is certainly a humbling feeling to get the full endorsement from so many great organizations who have expressed their pleasure with the work I have done by endorsing me to continue to represent the people of the 59^th District,” Forby said.

One of the endorsements comes from ABATE of Illinois, an organization that works to preserve the right to a safe, unrestricted motorcycling environment across the state. Another is the National Rifle Association (NRA). The Illinois Federation for Right to Life has also endorsed Forby for re-election.

Forby, who is often seen motorcycling throughout the 59^th District, said he is very aware of the number of motorcycle enthusiasts in Southern Illinois and that he understands the needs of concerns those who enjoy riding the thousands of miles of roads and highways in this region.

“There are a lot of people who ride motorcycles in the 59^th District,” Forby said. “I know firsthand the enjoyment of riding a motorcycle and I greatly appreciate that ABATE members have recognized my support for them.”

Forby is also an avid hunter who has been a strong voice in Springfield advocating for other hunters and gun owners.

“The right to bear arms is a right I will always fight hard for,” Forby said.

Forby has also received the endorsement of the Illinois AFL-CIO, which represents nearly one million union members in Illinois.

Forby, who owned and operated his own excavating business, serves as chairman of the Illinois Senate Labor Committee. “I appreciate the fact that the AFL-CIO understands how hard I fight for working men and women in Illinois,” Forby said. “I am committed to these men and women who work so hard to raise their families and support so many efforts in our region.”

Forby has also been endorsed by:

— AFSCME, the union representing thousands of state workers, including prison guards at Tamms Supermax Prison.

— The Illinois Education Association, which represents public school teachers in Southern Illinois.

— The Illinois Federation of Teachers

— The Illinois Retired Teachers Association

— The Associated Firefighters of Illinois

— IBEW 702

— Laborers Local 773

— Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 551

— Operators Local 318

— Laborers Local 1197

— UFCW Local 881

— SEIU Healthcare

— Sheet Metal Workers Local 268

— Teamsters Joint Council 25

In a discussion on the Tom Miller Show (Tuesday, August 7, 2012) the Rev. Mark Minor, Republican candidate for the 59th District Senate seat, said that Southern Illinois is broke financially and suffers a “broken moral compass”.

“We have the most giving, most loving, and the most forgiving people living right here in Southern Illinois,” Forby said. “And my opponent says our moral compass is broken? When I attended two fundraisers over the weekend, I saw people who were reaching out with open arms to help their fellow man. That’s not a broken moral compass as I see it.”

Said Forby, “I was shocked by what he said. There are many great churches and service organizations in the 59th District. So many good, moral people. For my opponent to say that Southern Illinois has a broken moral compass just simply floored me. I think he owes the entire region an apology.”

Forby went on to point out that Southern Illinois is also not broken financially. He noted that the region faces the same financial obstacles as other parts of the nation, “but not a single community in Southern Illinois has filed for bankruptcy. I know there are communities across the nation that have filed for bankruptcy, but not here in Southern Illinois where the people are strong and proud.”

Said Forby, “Southern Illinois is rich in many ways. We have great schools, teachers, community colleges and universities and many hard working men and women who I am proud to associate with and speak highly of each day as I represent the 59th District.”

Said Forby, “It is clear that my opponent and I do not see this great region in the same way at all.”

Dr. Tim Bellamey said, “The facility will provide space to expand our career technology program and allow us to meet the job training needs of our students. The facility will also be used to provide continuing education opportunities through our Business and Industry Training Center.”

The building will provide space to upgrade the current welding, heating and air conditioning, and sheet metal fabrication programs. The building will also allow for future career technology program expansions.

Forby recognized Shawnee Community College’s dedication to matching their curriculum with the needs of employers in the area.

“Shawnee Community College does an excellent job of providing education resources that are tailored to the needs of local employers,” Forby said. “The new Career Technology Center is another example of Shawnee working to meet those needs.”

SESSER — State Senator Gary Forby (D-Benton) has earned the endorsement of the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois. The organization represents over 15,000 professional firefighters in 213 communities in Illinois.

“I’m very proud of this endorsement,” Forby said. “These men and women are some of our nation’s greatest heroes, saving lives and giving their all everyday of the week.”

Forby learned of the endorsement just before attending a memorial service last Friday for James “Shib” Miller, a Sesser firefighter who died a hero in the line of duty five years ago.

Miller, 43, had responded to a call on Interstate 57 in July 2007 and was helping to clear the scene when the driver of a Greyhound bus traveled through traffic cones, hit the left rear side of a Sesser fire truck, then struck Miller.

Following the tragic event, Forby and State Rep. John Bradley (D-Marion) championed a bill that became known as “Shib’s Law.” Illinois Bill 2488 gave first responders throughout the state the ability to shut down interstates and highways when called to a scene to protect lives until it was safe to reopen.

During last Friday’s memorial service for Miller, Sesser firefighters explained that the fire truck — heavily damaged in the crash — and which Miller loved so much is now repaired and back in service.

“Shib Miller was a firefighter through and through,” Forby said. “To see this truck repaired and back in service is a great memorial to him and his family.”

MARION — Developers announced Tuesday that two major businesses are looking to move in to Marion’s STAR Bond district.

It’s been more than two years since the state passed legislation setting up the STAR Bond district to offer tax incentives for a so-called destination development.

The district is made up of 300 acres just east of I-57 and north of Route 13. Officials said the two businesses will cover some 50 of those acres.

Developers said they’ve known for a couple months now about the prospective businesses. A confidentiality agreement is keeping them quiet about some of the specifics.

“Right now we’re working with a destination user and a destination hotel, which is a water park hotel,” said Chad Holland of Holland Construction, lead developer on the project.

The groups are still negotiating a deal, but Holland said they’re serious about coming.

“They’ve been to Marion a couple of times. They’re doing economic impact studies, they’re doing site plans. I talked to the destination user on Wednesday last week, and they’re deciding what size store they want to build.”

Holland said the name of the companies won’t remain a mystery for long. He hopes to announce who’s headed to the region in a couple of months. He said the two properties will hopefully attract other stores for the rest of the site.

“We have other users lined up, but in order to make STAR Bonds work you need the destination user, and that’s our number one focus right now is the destination user and the water park hotel,” said Holland.

Senator Gary Forby said patience is key when dealing with the STAR Bond district.

“Especially in Springfield nothing happens overnight there. And something this big is not going to happen over night,” said Forby.

Now that we know more about it, developers are dreaming about its impact on our region.

“Water park hotels bring in millions of people every year. So they’ll stay here, they’ll eat in this area, hopefully they’ll go to the wine trails and horseback riding and Rend Lake and Crab Orchard,” said Holland.

Forby said he thinks the rest of the site will fill up in the next six years. Holland said the businesses that come to the district will break ground before May of next year because of a contract deadline.

WSIL — Illinois lawmakers have a new strategy for stopping the closure of state facilities. They now say they’ll try to override the governor’s veto of the funding.

They’re also asking the governor to halt the closure process. and listen to the public’s wishes.

“We’re hoping the governor will come to his senses,” said AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Henry Bayer.

Bayer joined a bipartisan group of four senators and four representatives to map out a plan to override the governor’s budget vetoes.

“Governor you’re wrong,” said Senator Gary Forby. “You need to think about this. You need to change your mind. You need to do the refiguring or whatever you need to do but we need to keep Tamms open and keep the facilities open and let’s balance the budget then,” he said.

Forby says the most frustrating thing is the money was there to fund the facilities including Tamms prison, the Murphysboro Youth Center, and the Carbondale Adult Transition Center.

“We passed the budget,” he insisted. “Republicans, democrats, bipartisan, sent it to the governor, put money in there to keep the places open, and our budget was lower than what the governor asked for,” explained Forby.

Now lawmakers are gathering support throughout the General Assembly in hopes of overriding the vetoes this fall session. However, the facilities are slated to close two months prior on August 31st.

“What we’re telling him is-governor just hold on for a minute. Don’t shut this place down,” pleaded Forby. “Wait ’til November ’til we get a chance to a veto session and do what we came to do.”

AFSCME, the union that represents most of the state workers facing layoffs, is concerned about their safety.

“There’s a ton of people involved in this and to rush two months, in the grand scheme of things, let’s make sure this is done safely and securely,” said AFSCME Representative Jeremy Noelle.

Forby says Governor Quinn is hard to read but he hopes the governor will take a moment to listen to the concerns of the people.

“I don’t know if he’s playing games or what he’s doing but right now it’s getting on to the scary moment and we think we’re doing the right thing,” he said.

Senator Forby says it would only take a simple majority to override the governor’s vetoes which means favorable votes from 30 senators and 60 representatives.