Carbondale Reporter

State Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Harrisburg) expects when official Census data is released later this year, it will show a loss in population in each county he represents.

"Illinois is estimated to have lost nearly 250,000 residence since 2010," Windhorst said in a Facebook post. "Much of that population loss has occurred Downstate."

Windhorst directed his social media followers to an article written by Chicago Magazine that analyzed where Illinois has lost residents. It highlighted the need for high-speed Internet access, good roads and higher education.

Windhorst said those are all important factors, but ones that lean on state funding from a cash-strapped budget.

"We also have to focus on being economically competitive with surrounding states," he said.

Windhorst also promoted webinars for small businesses and lenders for the federal government's next round of the Paycheck Protection Program. The online seminars are being hosted by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the U.S. Small Business Administration.