 "We're not afraid of
anybody or anything," he said at a news conference. "I believe the
people of our country and our state can handle any challenge
whatsoever."
Quinn said a federal decision to try some of the detainees at the
prison in Thomson actually improves security. Holding trials within
prison walls means the suspects won't be coming and going, he said,
and that reduces the possibility of a security breach.
He did call it a "major challenge" for Illinois to accept the
prisoners under a plan to sell an unused prison in northwestern
Illinois to the federal government. Quinn said it's possible the
state will get additional federal security money or assistance.
But Quinn, a Chicago Democrat, glossed over questions about whether
Illinois should drive a hard bargain when selling the prison to the
federal government. He repeatedly said Illinois will get "fair
market value" and didn't address arguments that the state deserves
more.
State Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, R-Lemont, says
Illinois should get a premium price for "bailing out the Obama
administration" by taking suspects now held at the Guantanamo Bay
naval base.
Radogno said Illinois should get back the full amount it has spent
on the Thomson prison, which she estimated at $250 million, and also
enough to build a new prison or make major improvements at existing
prisons.
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Quinn noted that some military experts, such as Gen. David Petraeus,
commander of the U.S. Central Command, advocate closing Guantanamo.
They argue it adds to the burden of U.S. troops by serving as a
rallying cry for the enemy.
"When the generals and the military people who know what they're
talking about tell us, 'Close down the prison in Cuba called
Guantanamo; it's endangering our men and women in Afghanistan,' I
pay attention to it," Quinn said. "I pay a lot more attention to
them than congressmen, some of whom want to fearmonger."
House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, repeated his call for the
state attorney general to provide an opinion on whether Quinn has
the legal authority to sell the Thomson prison or whether he needs
legislative approval.
He said Attorney General Lisa Madigan hadn't responded to his
initial request, on Nov. 17.
Madigan's office didn't reply to questions Wednesday about whether
she will study the legal issue.
[Associated Press; By CHRISTOPHER WILLS]
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.
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