RYAN ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF A SOUTHERN ILLINOIS GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced the opening of a satellite office in Southern Illinois.

"Our Marion Office has been open since June 7th and our second southern Illinois Governor's Office in Mt. Vernon will open shortly," Ryan said. "These offices are part of my promise to ensure that the needs of Southern Illinois are met in a timely, efficient manner."

Contact information for the Southern Illinois Governor's offices:

Southern Illinois Governor's Office: Marion

1107 W. DeYoung
Suite 10
Marion, IL 62959

Phone: 618/993-7072
Fax: 618/993-7290

Southern Illinois Governor's Office: Mt. Vernon
Municipal West Building
200 Potomac Blvd.
Mt. Vernon, IL 62864

Phone: 618/244-8333
Fax: 618/244-8335

The Southern Illinois Governor's Offices will be under the direction of Robert C. Winchester. Winchester was appointed by Governor Ryan on April 1st as Deputy Chief of Staff to oversee issues pertaining to Southern Illinois.

"The new southern Illinois office will serve 40 counties and cut red tape," Bob Winchester said. "Our office will handle transportation, economic and legislative issues to make it easier to live and work in southern Illinois."

Currently, the Marion office has three persons on staff and when it opens the Mt. Vernon office will take appointments two to three days a week.