 State Sen. Jeff Schoenberg, who co-chairs a panel that reviews state
facility closings before any sale, said he'll act "with all
deliberate speed" and try to launch hearings on the Thomson
Correctional Center by the end of December."The area's desperate
for jobs, and this would appear to be a responsible way to boost the
local economy," said the Evanston Democrat, echoing other proponents
of the sale, including Gov. Quinn.
The Quinn administration Wednesday filed its recommendation for
closing the prison -- opening the way for the legislative hearings.
President Obama wants to close the military-run detention center
in Cuba, and Thomson is just one location being considered as the
White House looks for places to move detainees.
Thomson has 1,600 cells, but budget problems have kept it from
ever being fully used. It now houses only about 200 minimum-security
inmates.
Critics have questioned upbeat assessments about the economic
impact of turning the prison over to federal authorities. Some
Republicans also have expressed fears that moving terrorism suspects
to Thomson would put Illinoisans at risk.
Schoenberg says he sees no such danger.
[Associated Press]
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