I listen to ISP District 11 as well as my local public safety on Starcom. I can hear Dist 13 out of Du Quoin but usually tune it out because it isn't in my area. Ameren covers a lot of operations electric and gas so you have to pick out what you want to hear. I use a Uniden BCD 996P2 and Grecom PSR 800 upgraded to Phase 2. Digital scanners are pricey but that's what you need to hear that stuff.
I live in Mt. Vernon and there are 3 Starcom towers within the reach with my handheld scanner (PRO-106). There is plenty of traffic to listen to. In addition to ISP District 13 and Ameren, there is also IDOT (salt trucks), IDNR, and all the activities at the Duquoin State fairgrounds.
The RR database has the talk groups for what you want to hear. If you want to hear Ameren IL there are a lot of TGs for them statewide. I have it narrowed down to where I live, near St. Louis. Depends on how much you want to spend on a scanner. There is a lot to listen to though. If I have my Grecom (Whistler) PSR 800 on Starcom 21 statewide I can hear ISP districts all over IL but tend to block them and listen to Dist 11 Collinsville.
