Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Things with the U.S. Postal Service may eventually get better.
That’s according to U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski after meeting Thursday with postal officials and touring the Springfield Distribution Facility. Problem is, she says, it still has a way to go.
“I’m very concerned around some of the way outgoing mail is being redirected. That’s come from Washington. This mail now has to be redirected from Springfield to St. Louis,” said Budzinski (D-Springfield). “We know that local mail is supposed to stay and be distributed within the distribution center, then go out directly to letter carriers.”
Problem is, Budzinski says, that’s not always happening.
“What we found out today is that, on Fridays and Saturdays, in fact, mail in Springfield — even if it’s local — is going to go to St. Louis. That is new information, and that helps to answer some of the questions that we have,” said Budzinski.
It’s not completely clear why, but Budzinski says manpower may be a problem at times. She says she knows that the postal service is losing money, but moving the mail like that isn’t going to save a thing. She says the problems are just as big in other states, and that’s why she’s convened a bipartisan group of lawmakers called the “Postal Caucus,” so they can work on national issues together.
Some concern is being raised given that’s an election year, with voting by mail increasing in popularity, much to the chagrin of some lawmakers.
“They in particular make sure that they prioritize, to be stamped on that day,” said Budzinski, referring to mail-in ballots and cancelling the postage on them. But, Budzinski says if it’s too late in the day, the Post Office will cancel a mail-in ballot’s stamp the next day.
But, there are alternatives.
“If you are in town, and you are voting by mail, use one of the drop boxes (like outside the Sangamon County Complex),” said State Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield). Turner did not go on a tour with Budzinski Thursday, but says she has met, and will continue to meet, with Postal Service officials locally and in Washington to keep updated on their activities.
Budzinski concurs, and says don’t wait until the last minute to vote by mail.
The Congresswoman said the postal workers she met with at the distribution center Thursday were very good and professional.
