State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) has released the below statement following today’s closure announcement of Alton Steel:
“I am truly shocked by today’s announcement. Just weeks ago, Alton Steel was actively hiring, and there were no indications that these jobs or this facility were at risk. Families built their plans and their futures around this work, and that sense of stability has been pulled out from under them without warning.
“An abrupt closure of this scale – affecting more than 250 workers – raises serious questions. How did we go from job postings to a sudden shutdown? What changed, and when? And was proper notice given to the people whose livelihoods depended on this facility? Right now, there are far more questions than answers.
“I will be seeking answers from company leadership immediately. The workers and the Alton community deserve transparency, honesty, and a clear explanation of how this decision was made.
“My heart is with the workers and their families, and my focus is on making sure they are not left to navigate this crisis alone.”
