Metro East Sun

U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) responded to the findings of an audit conducted by the U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General on the St. Louis and Hazelton, Missouri, processing and distribution facilities that serve Southern Illinois. The report detailed ongoing problems leading to delivery delays, lost packages, and service issues affecting local residents and businesses.

“The simmering frustrations of people in my district have been validated with today’s report,” said Bost. “I appealed to the U.S. Postal Service for an audit of the St. Louis postal processing center because Southern Illinoisans have faced service failures, late utility bills, missed medications, and lost family documents for far too long. I’m thankful the Trump administration conducted the audit, identified the problems, and demanded accountability. It is past time to fix these staffing shortages, hold supervisors accountable, and get the machines in top working order.”

The Inspector General’s report included 12 recommendations aimed at addressing these issues—such as filling vacant positions, improving supervisor oversight, resolving dock congestion, and ensuring proper handling of registered mail—that USPS must implement to restore timely service. The Postal Service has agreed to put all recommendations into effect by January next year.

Earlier this year, Bost sent a letter requesting a new investigation into persistent problems at these facilities. The St. Louis Processing and Distribution Center has previously come under review; a 2022 USPS OIG audit had already highlighted operational deficiencies like inadequate staffing and poor mail handling that led to delivery delays.

Key findings from this latest audit included frequent missed deadlines for mail processing—over 2.5 million pieces delayed during just two days in June 2025—as well as high rates of late or canceled truck trips due largely to driver shortages and dock congestion. Other issues noted were low compliance with required scanning procedures for tracking mail items and lapses in security protocols for registered mail.

Bost has represented Illinois’s 12th congressional district through several election cycles: In 2022 he won against Chip Markel with 75% of the vote; in 2020 he defeated Raymond Lenzi with about 60%; in earlier races he also secured victories over Brendan Kelly (2018), Charles Baricevic (2016), and William L. Enyart (2014).

For more details see https://bost.house.gov/2025/8/bost-responds-to-results-of-st-louis-postal-processing-center-audit