South West Illinois News

Ted Dabrowski, a gubernatorial candidate for Illinois, recently visited the Knight Hawk Coal Mine near Pinckneyville. During his visit on November 5, 2025, he expressed his commitment to supporting jobs in Southern Illinois and proposed changes to the state's energy policy.

"I just took a tour of the Knight Hawk coal mine just outside of Pinckneyville," said Dabrowski. "It was a privilege to see coal mining in person and all the great men working hard to keep the mine operating 24 hours a day. What's amazing is that 90 percent of the coal is shipped out to other states instead of staying right here and lowering energy costs in Illinois. As governor, I will work to protect the jobs and industries of Southern Illinois and do my best to roll back Gov. Pritzker's destructive energy policies."

According to Knight Hawk Coal's website, the company operates the Prairie Eagle complex in Perry County and distributes Illinois Basin coal nationwide through various transportation methods including rail, truck, and a Mississippi River dock. The mine complex is an important regional employer and logistics hub, highlighting coal's ongoing significance in Southern Illinois communities. Company materials emphasize their shipment capabilities "throughout the United States and for global export," which aligns with Dabrowski’s emphasis on local employment and energy.

At the Prairie Eagle facility of Knight Hawk Coal, two automated truck load-outs can move 2,000 tons per hour, with on-site live storage totaling about 50,000 tons. This infrastructure supports efficient distribution to power and industrial customers. Such capacity illustrates why coal mined in Illinois is easily shipped to out-of-state markets—a point Dabrowski raised when discussing energy affordability for families and employers in Illinois.

Dabrowski has over thirty years of experience in international finance and domestic policy leadership. He spent 16 years in senior financial roles, including as Head of Corporate Banking at Citibank in Poland where he advised the government on economic liberalization and managed multi-billion-dollar Treasury portfolios in Poland and Mexico. Upon returning to the U.S., Dabrowski became Vice President of Policy at the Illinois Policy Institute before serving as President of Wirepoints, a nonprofit organization focused on Illinois’ economy and government. His research has been cited by national outlets such as The Wall Street Journal. Dabrowski holds a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Chicago, an MBA in finance from the Wharton School, and a bachelor’s degree from Georgia Tech.