Trump’s Budget Threatens Illinois Air Routes | St. Louis News

Trump’s new budget threatens to slash federal funding for the Essential Air Service, risking the loss of vital commercial flights at Illinois airports in Decatur, Quincy, and Marion. Since 1978, this program has kept smaller communities connected by subsidizing airlines on routes too unprofitable to fly without help—often linking them to hubs like Chicago. Local leaders warn that cutting the subsidy would isolate their towns, hurting business and economic growth. While the administration claims the program is bloated and costly, officials stress they don’t want communities stranded. With details still murky, communities like Quincy, which recently upgraded service thanks to EAS, are pleading with Congress to preserve this lifeline for rural America. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/c5de397fe424ab47