SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) led six bipartisan Members of Congress in a call for more transparency from U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General Louis DeJoy regarding proposed changes at postal processing, distribution and delivery facilities in Champaign, Springfield and nationwide. In a letter to the USPS Board of Governors, the lawmakers noted the lack of adequate responses from Postmaster DeJoy when they raised concerns about how his Delivering for America plan would impact delivery rates and jeopardize jobs for postal employees.
“Across the country, the Postmaster General has proposed changes at processing, distribution and delivery facilities, with many of these sites located in our districts,” wrote the Members. “Due to the impact on our districts and constituents, we raised questions and concerns regarding how these changes will impact our constituents, businesses within our communities, postal employees, and the overall efficiency of the Postal Service. Despite our persistent inquiries, the responses have been insufficient or nonexistent.
“We understand the need for modernization within the Postal Service; however, these changes must be integrated with a commitment to improving service standards and protecting the livelihoods of postal employees. Transparency and accountability are vital in this process. Our constituents deserve to know how these changes will affect their daily lives. As their elected Members of Congress, we require direct, detailed, and timely information to provide appropriate oversight and to help the Postal Service prepare our constituents for the upcoming changes.”
Today’s letter is a continued effort by Budzinski to push back against USPS facility changes in Central and Southern Illinois. She has previously written to DeJoy outlining concerns with the downsizing of USPS Processing and Distribution Centers in Springfield and Champaign, Illinois.
The letter is signed by Congresswoman Becca Balint (D-VT-AL), Congressman Jack Bergman (R-MI-01), Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA-21), Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH-01), Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06) and Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE-03).