Blagojevich renews efforts to keep F-16s in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor Rod Blagojevich is again asking the U.S. Air Force to keep 15 F-16 fighter planes at the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport.

In a letter this week, the governor renewed efforts to keep the planes assigned to the Illinois Air National Guard in Springfield.

He's also asking the Air Force to consider making Springfield home to cargo aircraft if they decide to continue plans to move the F-16s.

The jets are supposed to be moved to Indiana this year as part of a plan announced in 2005 by the federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission.

A Blagojevich spokeswoman says the military has already changed plans to move some planes in at least one other state and Illinois authorities are hoping for a similar reprieve.