Help save the Joliet Training Area from closure.

Military, Law Enforcement, Hunters, and Others loose

http://sjtc.freeblogit.com/2008/03/01/support-petition-sign-up-here/

This blog is intended to serve as a communications portal in support of saving the U.S. Army Joliet Training Area (JTA) from closure.

For over 40 years, JTA has been utilized by Illinois personnel for military and Law Enforcement training. The property is the largest training facility in Illinois. It is currently under the control of FT. McCoy in Wisconsin, who has taken steps for the JTA to be placed on the Federal Excess Property List.

Real concern exists that this could result in permanent closure of the JTA and the loss of the property for future military and law enforcement training. As of January 1, 2008 - all training operations at JTA have been suspended.

Illinois troops are in danger of losing the largest training facility in Illinois and could be forced to travel outside of the state to accomplish their annual training mission objectives. In addition, closure of JTA will also take from local law enforcement personnel a facility that has been instrumental in their training.

Hundreds of civilian, retired and active military and law enforcement Sportsmen and women from Illinois have also had the privilege of utilizing the JTA for Sports Afield. If the JTA is closed, this privilege will be gone and lost will be one of the largest and most pristine natural resources available to sportsmen and women in north, central Illinois.

Join the efforts in urging Federal, State, Local and U.S. Army leaders to act now to prevent the closure and loss of the Joliet Training Area. Help and urge our leaders to remove JTA from the Federal Excess Property List. Help and urge our leaders to have the order that suspended training at JTA rescinded and allow Illinois troops to once again train in Illinois. Illinois troops deserve to have adequate training facilities within the state of Illinois. Closing JTA will force Illinois troops to train outside of Illinois.

Given the actions Ft. McCoy has taken, it is not understood how our leaders, with our country involved in a global war on terrorism and with an increasing need for advanced local law enforcement training, could consider closing a facility that trains troops, as well as federal, state and local law enforcement personnel from across north, central Illinois.

Your participation in this site in support of saving JTA is encouraged. Suggestions and updates are welcomed. Please do what you can to get the word out and feel welcomed to tell others about this sight and the importance of saving the US. Army Joliet Training Area.