Andover post office on the chopping block - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

Andover post office on the chopping block

Since 1837 folks in Andover, Illinois have had their own place to pick up and deliver mail. However, with the U.S Postal Service wiping out thousands of offices across the country, Andover is now on the chopping block. Dozens of folks lined up outside of an Andover church Tuesday night fighting to save the post office.

 "It's going to be an extreme hardship for people. It's a piece of the town gone to visitors and the people of the town it means a lot to them," Resident Ron Peterson said.

Village leaders said they won't only lose a building, but also a business.

 "We have a lot of visitors from all over the world come to Andover," President David Crippen said.

Reps from the Postal Service said if the office closes, folks will have the option of using an outdoor cluster box.

 "We're used to having an inside place cool in the summer and warm in the winter where the elderly and children can go," Resident Gene Carlson said

If the village doesn't use the cluster box, it'll have to annex.

"If the office disappears then the zip code disappears, if the zip code disappears no one knows where the town is, it ceases to exist," said Ken Moffett, a Representative for Schilling's Office.  

Representatives from the Postal Service said the decision could take several months.