Well over 200 people jammed into the Hilton Garden Inn in Springfield on Tuesday evening to hear the United States Postal Service’s proposed plan to change operational activities in several facilities in Illinois, including Illinois. Many duties would be transferred to St. Louis

In their remarks Postal officials tried to lay to rest what they called “misinformation” about the plan. They assured the crowd that no career jobs would be lost, items could still receive a Springfield postmark and service would not be dramatically curtailed. They also promised 5 to 8 million dollars in upgrades to the Springfield post office.

Many of those in opposition took to the microphone to express their doubts about the USPS assurances.

They foresaw problems with folks getting prescriptions in a timely manner, confusion in processing mail in ballots, getting utility bills and disconnect notices promptly and other concerns.

Mayor Misty Busher and 9 of 10 City Council members were on hand to voice their support for the status quo. State Rep. Doris Turner was also in attendance, and she got enthusiastic support from the audience when she directed some hard questions to the postal representatives.