SOUTHERN ILLINOIS – On Monday, February 23, during a traveling office hours event in West Salem, State Representative Dave Severin was made aware of the sudden closure of Champion Laboratories in Albion, and that nearly 1,000 jobs were lost for area residents. Rep. Severin immediately began making phone calls to local elected officials, state officials with the Illinois Department of Employment Security, Congressman Bost, and Senator Terri Bryant to begin to organize 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.”
State Senator Terri Bryant and State Representative Dave Severin are working with the Mayor of Albion, the Albion Area Chamber of Commerce, the Illinois Department of Employment Security, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Illinois Department of Labor, and Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, and Congressman Mike Bost’s office to provide a comprehensive response in the wake of the closure of Champion Laboratories in Albion in late February 2026. It is important to keep in mind that the James Brothers, who owned Champion Labs, are both facing criminal charges for sweeping and egregious financial crimes, including alleged criminal financial actions that undermined the financial stability of Champion Laboratories, leading to its unfortunate closure.
“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.”
The Senator and Representative wish to thank the Mayor of Albion and the Albion Area Chamber of Commerce for quickly putting together an Illinois Department of Corrections Recruitment event in Albion last week and for organizing a robust Jobs Fair at the Country Financial Building on the Edwards County Fairgrounds coming up on Wednesday, March 4th, from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. At last count, there are more than 30 businesses and entities signed up to provide information on careers to residents impacted by the Champion Labs closure.
Senator Bryant and Representative Severin also wish to thank Illinois Eastern Community Colleges for organizing several Rapid Response Support Meetings at Frontier Community College in Fairfield, in the Workforce Development Building located at 2 Frontier Drive. The Rapid Response Support Meetings will aim to assist and educate impacted residents learn about the benefits they are entitled to, and what rights and support are available for those impacted by the closure.
IECC will be hosting workshops where presenting agencies, including the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Southern 14 Workforce Investment Board (LWIA 26),
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, U.S. Department of Labor / Employee Benefits Security Administration, Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). These entities will provide answers to questions and provide guidance on:
- Unemployment benefits and common questions
- Health insurance coverage options
- 401(k) and retirement benefit guidance
- Utility assistance programs
- Training and education opportunities
The Rapid Response Support Meetings schedule is as follows: (Organized by the first letter of the attendee’s last name)
Thursday, March 5 @ 10:00 a.m. — Last names A–E
Thursday, March 5 @ 1:30 p.m. — Last names F–J
Friday, March 6 @ 10:00 a.m. — Last names K–O
Friday, March 6 @ 1:30 p.m. — Last names P–T
Monday, March 9 @10:00 a.m. — Last names U–Z (and anyone unable to attend earlier)
Monday, March 9 @ 1:30 p.m. — Open session for anyone
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges will also assist impacted residents with the following items during several Workplace Readiness Labs taking place throughout the month of March.
- Open computer labs with in-person assistance
- Help with resumes, cover letters, and applications (job and/or school)
- GED intake and consultation
- Career Interest Inventory
- Interview coaching
- Free printing
- Testing services
- ADA consultations and overview
Dates & Locations
Mon, March 9 @ Wabash Valley College Learning Commons — 9:00 a.m. to Noon – 2200 College Drive, Mount Carmel, IL 62863
Mon, March 9 @ Albion Senior Citizens’ Center — 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – 323 N 5th St, Albion, IL 62806
Tue, March 10 @ Frontier Community College Learning Commons — Noon to 3:00 p.m. – 2 Frontier Drive, Fairfield, IL 62837
Wed, March 11 @ Olney Central College Learning Commons — Noon to 3:00 p.m. – 305 North West Street, Olney, IL 62450
Thu, March 12 @ Wabash Valley College Learning Commons — Noon to 3:00 p.m. –2200 College Drive, Mount Carmel, IL 62863
Fri, March 13 @ Frontier Community College Learning Commons — 9:00 a.m. to Noon – 2 Frontier Drive, Fairfield, IL 62837
💻 Basic Computer Skills Classes
Free one-day sessions are available at each IECC campus. All sessions run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Dates & Locations
Tue, March 17 in Albion – Location TBD – 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Wed, March 18 @ Wabash Valley College – Main Hall 205 – 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM –2200 College Drive, Mount Carmel, IL 62863
Thu, March 19 @ Frontier Community College – EP Building Classroom – 2 Frontier Drive, Fairfield, IL 62837
Fri, March 20 @ Olney Central College – Wattleworth Hall 206 – 305 North West Street, Olney, IL 62450
FOOD BANK LOCATIONS, DATES, and TIMES
Albion – WADI Food Pantry – 334 Industrial Dr. Phone: (618) 445-2379 every Wednesday from 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. and 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Albion – The Hope Center – 23 West Cherry St, Albion, IL 62806 Steve Smith (618) Phone: (618) 445-2065 every Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Serve a meal on the 3rd Saturday of the month.
Albion – House of Prayer – 230 North 5th St. Contact: Mark Myer Phone: (618) 445-2731 every Friday from 3:30 – 4:00 p.m. Located in the pole barn behind the church.
Carmi – Cherry Street General Baptist Church – 210 3rd St. Contact: Keith Johnson – Phone: (618) 384-6649 – 1st & 3rd Thursday each month from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (White County residents. If
anyone comes from another county, they can get served one time.)
Carmi – Lutheran Church Food Pantry – 1102 Jill St. – Phone: (618) 384-5291 2nd & 4th Tuesday each month from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Enfield Christian Church – 300 N 1st St. Contact: Norma Bowman – Phone (618) 383-0539 – 3rd Saturday of the month from 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. (Serves Enfield & Springerton residents)
Grayville Church of Christ –321 W. Mill – Contact: Jim Pringle – Phone: (618) 263-8014 – Last Saturday of the month from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Grayville Northside Baptist Church – 805 N State Rd – Phone: (618) 375-7537 – Last Saturday of the month at 8 00 a.m. NOTE: They normally run out in about 20 minutes.
McLeansboro Ten Mile Church – 11725 Mile Rd. Phone (618) 643-3946 -2nd & 4th Thursday of the month @ 12:00 p.m. Be sure to call ahead by Tuesday.
McLeansboro W.A.D.I – 110 E Jefferson Contact: Danielle Browning (618) 643-2161 – 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Mount Carmel First Baptist Church -130 W 6th ST. Phone: (618) 263-6563 – Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Mount Carmel W.A.D.I.- 119 W 12th Street – Contact: Hunter Ellis (618) 262-4151 – Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Mount Carmel Hope Fellowship Church – 1210 Landes – 2nd Saturday of the month – Must pre-register @10:45 a.m. with distribution to follow at 11:00 a.m. (Carmi Residents. Must bring ID)
Norris City – The Roads Church – 583 US-45. They have a food/clothing pantry on the first 3 Fridays and Saturdays of each month from 9 a.m. to noon. A family can go once a month.
West Salem Zion Food Pantry – 207 Jack Allen Drive – Contact: Melissa Butler (618) 456-3754 – Fridays at 7:00 a.m.