COGFA votes to keep Logan Correctional open

[November 10, 2011]  The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability met in Springfield this morning at 8 at the Capitol Building. The meeting was to vote on the governor's order to close Logan Correctional Center, Jacksonville Developmental Center and Tinley Park Mental Health Center. Of the 11 members of the panel, nine voted to keep Logan Correctional open.

On hand for the vote were several community leaders from Logan County, including Lincoln Mayor Keith Snyder, chamber director Andi Hake and development partnership head Mike Maniscalco. In all, some 80 community leaders from Logan and the other affected communities were present.

Maniscalco communicated to LDN:

"We are pleased to hear that the CGFA supports Lincoln and Logan Co and the continued operation of Logan Correctional Center. We would hope the governor will follow the recommendation of our elected officials."

Both the Jacksonville Developmental Center and Tinley Park Mental Health Center also received recommendations that they be kept open, with the closest vote coming on Jacksonville, with seven votes "yes" and four "no."

The state advisory panel has now voted on all seven facilities Gov. Pat Quinn said he plans to close to help an ailing state budget, and the panel has recommended that all remain open.

Mayor Snyder said:

"The greater community of Lincoln is very appreciative of the Commission's vote to keep Logan open. We felt we delivered a clear and convincing message at the COGFA hearing on October 26th about why it is so critical to 'Save Logan.' We are so pleased that message was heard. We sincerely thank the members of the Commission for their time, attentiveness, and support. We hope the Governor and legislature leaders can quickly reach an agreement that will ensure funding is available to turn the Commission's recommendation into reality." 

Hake, with the chamber office, said that this helps, but there is still cause for concern without the governor's help.

"We are very pleased that the COGFA Commission voted in favor of keeping Logan open. I hope by the end of the day we will finally have a resolution to this issue to give the employees of Logan some peace now especially before the Holidays. Logan County has been in limbo for months, I am hopeful we will have reason to celebrate soon."

The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability decisions are not binding, however, and the governor's office has said he would be forced to follow through with closures if funds are not reallocated. To date, an Illinois governor has always followed the findings of this panel.

A representative from Quinn's office said he was disappointed by the outcome, as the governor is still in a position where facilities might have to close without funding.

[LDN]