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Lawmakers Pushing to Bring More Coal Jobs to Illinois

 Downstate lawmakers are revving up their push to bring more coal jobs to Illinois. They're calling for changes which would allow more coal mined in Illinois to be burned at in-state power plants.

Officials say right now most coal used at Illinois power plants is shipped in from the west, despite the fact Illinois coal burns hotter and more efficiently.

Across the state, most coal plants are within 50 miles of a power plant that could utilize the local coal.  

"How in the world do you have a coal mine sitting 6 miles from a place that can burn it and they're shipping in western coal?" asked Marion Representative John Bradley.

If the proposed changes are implemented, Bradley says some 8,000 jobs could be created statewide.

source: http://www.wsiltv.com