State officials are responding to the recent closure of Champion Laboratories in Albion, Illinois, which resulted in nearly 1,000 job losses for local residents. State Representative Dave Severin learned about the shutdown during a traveling office hours event on February 23 and immediately contacted local and state officials, including Congressman Mike Bost and Senator Terri Bryant, to coordinate a response.
“It was important to me to get to work right away, coordinating with relevant local and state officials to ensure that everyone was working toward a similar goal, and that is connecting those folks who, unfortunately, lost their jobs with services and support,” Severin said. “I think it is important for the public to know that behind the scenes, Senator Bryant and I were doing everything in our power to start a rapid response. We did a live video on Facebook on Tuesday from the Capitol in Springfield to give an update on the job fairs that were coming to the area. Since that time we have continued to work closely with elected officials and relevant businesses and entities like Illinois Eastern Community Colleges to ensure a coordinated and robust response to this unfortunate and costly closing.”
Severin, who has represented Illinois’ 116th House District since his election in 2023 after succeeding David Friess, is collaborating with Senator Bryant; local leaders such as the Mayor of Albion; agencies including the Illinois Department of Employment Security; economic development offices; labor departments; educational institutions like Illinois Eastern Community Colleges (IECC); and Congressman Bost’s office.
The closure followed criminal charges against the James Brothers—owners of Champion Labs—for alleged financial crimes that destabilized the company.
“What happened in Albion is indeed a tragic situation for so many working folks and their families,” Senator Bryant said. “My heart goes out to those employees who were impacted by this sudden closure, but I want people to know that there is help available and that my office stands ready to connect people with the services they are entitled to. I am thankful to the Albion Area Chamber of Commerce, the Mayor of Albion, Congressman Bost, and many others who have worked so diligently to put together this Wednesday’s Career Fair in Albion, and to IECC for their efforts to provide workplace readiness and assistance with basic skills like computer literacy, interview skills, and resume building. An entire village was impacted by this closure, and it is taking a village of concerned elected officials, local businesses, and state entities to connect our fellow citizens with the resources they need.”
A Career Fair will be held at the Country Financial Building at Edwards County Fairgrounds on March 4 from 10:00 AM–4:00 PM. More than 30 employers are expected at this event aimed at providing information about career opportunities for those affected by Champion Labs’ closure.
IECC has also scheduled several Rapid Response Support Meetings at Frontier Community College’s Workforce Development Building beginning March 5 through March 9. These sessions will inform attendees about benefits eligibility as well as legal rights following job loss.
In addition, IECC will conduct Workplace Readiness Labs throughout March at various locations across Mount Carmel, Albion, Fairfield, Olney Central College campuses. These labs offer help with job searches—including resume writing—and free one-day basic computer skills classes at each campus between March 17–20.
Local food pantries across southern Illinois have expanded access or adjusted schedules in light of increased community needs due to layoffs. Locations include WADI Food Pantry in Albion (Wednesdays), The Hope Center (Wednesdays), House of Prayer (Fridays), along with sites in Carmi, Enfield Christian Church (third Saturday monthly), Grayville churches (last Saturday monthly), McLeansboro churches (various Thursdays), Mount Carmel First Baptist Church (Thursdays), Hope Fellowship Church (second Saturday monthly), Norris City Roads Church (first three Fridays/Saturdays monthly), West Salem Zion Food Pantry (Fridays).
Both Severin and Bryant continue outreach efforts while emphasizing ongoing cooperation among government agencies and community organizations as recovery efforts proceed.
