"Utilities would have to reconstruct their concept of the area. How many of you would tolerate a long-distance toll within the city of Springfield." On 26 January 1968, Prell and the regional newspaper, the Southern Illinoisan, released a map showing exactly what territory they proposed to merge. The Oregon-shaped area would include and about 131,000 people formed out of 21 townships and road districts, 48 municipalities and other taxing bodies. Major cities inside would be Carbondale, Murphysboro, Herrin, Marion, Benton, West Frankfort, DuQuoin and "probably Pinckneyville." In the article Prell outlined a multi-step approach to the eventual consolidation. In none of the stories presented by the paper, did their reporters ask any elected mayors their opinions of the plan. Not surprisingly, nothing more is found in the pages of the paper over the next decade except a reference to Prell's idea in a 1970 column written, not surprisingly, by another SIU faculty member. Note: Anchor Cities are bolded.