SOUTHERN ILLINOIS — A Jackson County optometrist and business owner will once again run for the 115th District statehouse seat. Dr. Paul Jacobs of Carbondale recently announced he will run for the seat Terri Bryant is vacating to run for State Senate.

Jacobs says Springfield taking more from Illinois residents and providing less in return, and that the capitol is taking the wrong approach to the gun problem.

Jacobs believes his years as a doctor will translate well to identifying and solving problems in government.

In addition to Jacobs’ optometry practice in Carbondale, he and his wife Rhoda opened Von Jakob Vineyard in Alto Pass more than 20 years ago.