John D. Homan

MARION - Count Larry Bowman as a full-fledged supporter of the idea for a minor league baseball franchise in Marion.

The director of the Williamson County Tourism Bureau said there is much to be gained in the region should professional baseball become a reality in 18 months.

"We don't want to act too zealously, but we were a part of the feasibility studies early on and everything looks favorable," he said.

Bowman said there is a "natural support system in place," which would only improve the chances for success with a minor league team.

"For example, we have excellent roads," he said. "There is ample lodging and a wide variety of restaurants to choose from. There is also the possibility of spinoff businesses for shopping and other activities."

Bowman said the addition of professional baseball would be a wonderful attraction to out-of-towners contemplating a trip to Southern Illinois.

"It's like another gigantic tool to put in our tool chest to sell the area," he said. "Minor league baseball definitely has tourism appeal, as well as local appeal. It helps make us a mini destination for tourism. That's what excites me - that and the fact that this area has been starving for additional night-time entertainment.

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BY LES WINKELER

THE SOUTHERN

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS - It's early in the game, but demand has outstripped supply. In fact, there currently is no supply.

Southern Illinois residents are eager to sign petitions asking the state of Illinois to reconsider the layoffs of some Illinois Department of Natural Resources employees.

Andy West, site superintendent of Trail of Tears State Forest and one of the persons to be laid off, said petitions are not yet available.

"All we've done is put the petition together," he said. "The thing is, people are eager to do something, but we don't have anything for them. There are a number of groups working together to get a petition drive going."

West said he has been contacted by local chapters of the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Southern Illinois Quota Zone Association, the Illinois Waterfowler's Alliance, the Sierra Club and the Illinois Environmental Council.

"Our concern is we really feel that IDNR has gotten hit a lot harder than other agencies," said Terri Treacy, the conservation field representative of the Illinois Chapter Sierra Club. "After reading some of the articles, Andy (West) has some pretty compelling evidence."

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BY CALEB HALE

THE SOUTHERN

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS - A new bill proposing recording fees on real estate documents to subsidize low-rent housing statewide has some Southern Illinois officials concerned the region won't see a worthwhile return on the investment made by local governments.

House Bill 626, the Rental Housing Support Program Act, which was introduced in the spring and subsequently snubbed in the fall veto legislative session in Springfield, provides subsidies to landlords who volunteer to make their housing affordable to low-income renters. The program is funded through an $11 fee, collected on documents recorded by county clerks, from individuals when buying or refinancing a home. Counties collect the fees then transfer the cash into a central state account, where it gets redistributed based on where the need for low-income housing is greatest.

The bill could be considered during the final two days of the 93rd Illinois General Assembly, Jan. 10 and 11, and if passed could generate as much as $30 million annually for partially subsidized rental units across the state.

Rep. Julie Hamos, D-Evanston, who sponsored the bill, said she supported the measure with the disabled in mind. She said many individuals with disabilities live on fixed incomes and don't have the financial opportunities to become homeowners.

Jackson County Clerk Larry Reinhardt said he doesn't disagree with the idea behind the bill, but is hesitant to begin collecting money locally, when most of it will end up in the Chicago area.

"If they are going to start a whole new county fee, let's serve the counties first," Reinhardt said.