Metro East Sun

Rep. Mike Bost, who has served in the U.S. Congress representing Illinois’ 12th district since 2015, shared several updates on social media regarding recent developments affecting his constituents and broader national issues.

On May 20, 2025, Rep. Bost announced that Mt. Vernon and Shawneetown will receive over $850,000 in federal Brownfields assessment grants to support environmental cleanup and redevelopment efforts. He emphasized that "These funds will help local officials assess former industrial and commercial properties," highlighting the significance of these grants for local communities.

Later on the same day, Rep. Bost addressed a report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concerning a Greyhound bus crash off I-70 near Highland in 2023. The final report identified America's truck parking shortage as a major contributing factor to the collision. Rep. Bost remarked that this finding "reinforced what I’ve shouted from the rooftops for years," emphasizing his long-standing concerns about truck parking shortages putting lives at risk.

On May 21, 2025, Rep. Bost commented on potential legislative impacts related to tax policy. He warned that if Congress does not pass what he described as "one big, beautiful bill" President Trump’s fighting for, the Trump Tax Cuts are likely to expire at the end of the year. He noted that such an outcome would adversely affect Southern Illinois families, farmers, and small business owners.

Mike Bost was born in Murphysboro, Illinois in 1960 and has been actively involved in politics since serving on the Jackson County Board starting in 1984 before moving on to state and then national representation roles.