The late-Thursday passage of the nuclear energy legislation in Illinois has local leaders ready to harnass a new outlook on the future of the community.
Community leaders alike say they have a second chance now the power plant will be a part of the community for another ten years.
Superintendent of Clinton Schools, Curt Nettles, believes the scare that was the closure of the power station should give everyone a new perspective. He says this will keep the district from implementing major cutbacks.
Clinton City Administrator Tim Followell calls this a win for Clinton and the Quad Cities. He also feels this benefits the entire state.
Followell also feels there is a new outlook on how entities plan knowing the power plant will not be around forever.
DeWitt County Board Chair David Newberg believes while the life expectancy of the power plant could expire at any time, the County Board has prepared for that scenario through conservative budgeting in recent years.
Executive Director of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, Marian Brisard calls Exelon the cornerstone of the employment in DeWitt County and says it is great to keep the over 600 jobs in the area.
Each leader thanked Governor Bruce Rauner for being the catalyst to the legislation picking up steam in the middle of the week last week and thanked the tireless efforts of Representative Bill Mitchell and State Sen. Chapin Rose.
