U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says he'll lead the charge to keep Scott Air Force Base off any list of military bases to be closed.
Durbin (D-IL)says he toured Scott Air Force Base with the chief of staff of the Air Force to illustrate why it should be kept off any potential list of military bases designated for closure.
"This meeting was preemptive - to make sure that the Air Force understands the support of Scott Air Force Base in this community, and to make sure that we understand how the Air Force views the future of Scott Air Force Base."
U.S. Rep. Bill Enyart (D-Belleville), whose district includes Scott, says the base plays a critical role in the U.S. military.
"The world doesn't get touched by the United States Air Force or by the United States Military without Scott Air Force Base."
The base generates $2.3 billion dollars for the local economy and employs about 13,000 people, according to Durbin. U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) says he's been reassured about Scott's importance by the chief of staff of the Air Force, who visited the base last week.
Scott has survived closure commissions in 1988, 1991, 1993, 1995, and 2005. If there were another set of closures, they would happen in 2017.
