I've been out of the area for a few years now but have been lurking on the mailing lists and keeping in touch with SIU's ACM group. There is some interest for students to participate in a LUG, but I am aware that meetings in Carbondale area have been on hiatus.
With that said, I am aware that OpenSpacesSI opened up about a year or two ago and they have a venue/hackerspace area. It might be worth reaching out to them to see if there's a place/room to hold LUG meetings there. I'm regularly in touch with the organizer, so if this is something that is of interest, I can go ahead and start discussions with them.
Their website is here: