Daily Egyptian Politics Editor

Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Schmidt invaded rival Congressman Glenn Poshard’s political turf Friday when he brought his plan for Southern Illinois economic turnaround to Carbondale.

Schmidt, who called his seven-point plan an action agenda, told a group of about 10 he considered Southern Illinois’ economy a priority in his campaign.

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One of his plans is to double the $2.7 million appropriated by the state to the Southern Illinois University Coal Research Center in an effort to pump life into the dwindling downstate coal market.

We need to find ways to make Southern Illinois coal more productive and less polluting, he said.

Schmidt also called for the creation of a group, which he dubbed the Cairo-Chicago Council, he said would create more effective communication between the poles of the state. The committee would include 12 members considered leaders from both areas.

Among his other points are provisions for more money for Southern Illinois tourism, a coalition for research and job training, new incentives for ethanol research, technology grants for schools and a Southern Illinois economic group to increase jobs.

Schmidt’s proposal came on the heels of Illinois House of Representatives Speaker Michael Madigan’s endorsement of Poshard. Madigan formally endorsed the downstate congressman Sunday.

Schmidt said he was not fazed by Madigan’s endorsement, which includes $200,000 for Poshard.

As far as I can tell, Speaker Madigan has been helping Congressman Poshard since last year, he said. That’s his choice, but he has a record of backing losers in Illinois primaries.

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Schmidt is third in the most recent Chicago Tribune poll of Democratic candidate, below former three-term state comptroller Roland Burris and Poshard. He leads former U.S. attorney Jim Burns.

Poshard has picked up several key endorsements, including the AFL-CIO and Chicago’s Fraternal Order of Police. Schmidt was endorsed by the Chicago Tribune Sunday.