Illinois leaders seek meeting over U.S. spy agency location

BELLEVILLE, Ill. — A group of U.S. senators and representatives from Illinois wants to meet with the director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, which favors a St. Louis site over relocating to Illinois for a new headquarters.

The group requested a meeting Friday, outlining “strong concerns” with the site selection process.

U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk, along with U.S. Reps. John Shimkus, Mike Bost and Rodney Davis, say the decision should be based on “correct information and fully-formed analysis.” They allege inaccuracies in the selection process.

Public comment runs through May 2.

The NGA uses satellite imagery to make data tools for military and intelligence agencies. NGA officials have preliminarily chosen north St. Louis for the new western regional headquarters over a St. Clair County site near Scott Air Force Base.