Governor Blagojevich on Gambling

http://www.thonline.com/article.cfm?id=200866

 

Illinois: Lawmakers to fight for prison

 

5/7/2008

THOnline.com

AP

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Lawmakers vowed Tuesday to fight for the future of the state prison at Pontiac, with some questioning whether its threatened closure was part of political payback by Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration.

Republican lawmakers who represent the north-central Illinois area complained it makes no sense for Blagojevich's Department of Corrections to try to close Pontiac after abandoning a bid to close part of Stateville Correctional Center in Joliet.

The administration argues an older facility such as Pontiac needs to be shuttered in order for a modern, safer prison in Thomson in northwestern Illinois to fully open.

But lawmakers from north-central Illinois say it would be devastating economically for Pontiac to close, with little gain to the state. They're calling for a moratorium on any facility closings until the issue can be studied further.

"I'm just not sure what logic they're using when they're trying to close state correctional institutions," said Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa.

And some legislators say the timing of this and other moves raises political questions.

The Senate last week killed an effort to put on the November ballot a question about recalling top elected officials, aimed at unhappiness with the governor.


 

 

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