"Our Opinion: All politics all the time with this Governor" Springfield Journal Register- 5/13/2008

NO ONE in Illinois should have any faith whatsoever that Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his Department of Corrections reached their decision to close Pontiac’s prison with anything near objectivity. Our trust in this administration to do anything that is not politically motivated is zero.

 

"Legislator's continue to evaluate state's prison situation" 5/13/2008
PONTIAC -- State legislators still are working for a moratorium on prison closures and the creation of an independent review process to assess the current state prison situation, two state senators said Monday.
 
"Rutherford-Radogno seek prison support" WJBC- 5/12/2008

State Senators Dan Rutherford and Christine Radogno are touring the state trying to gain support for legislation that would require a longterm plan for the state's prison system. The lawmakers want to put a moratorium on closing any prisons until a plan is in place.

 

"Prison Blues" Chicago Tribune- 5/9/2008

Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration made a compelling case for closing the maximum security wing of Stateville Correctional Center. Temporarily relocating those inmates, then ultimately moving them into the never-been-used maximum security cells at Thomson Correctional Center, was a great idea. It made sense to shutter an 83-year-old, antiquated and unsafe prison roundhouse, use the state-of-the-art Thomson prison—and save money in the bargain.

 

"Signs of opposition: 'Save Pontiac Prison' message popping up" Bloomington Pantagraph- 5/9/2008

PONTIAC -- Mel Trevino said he didn’t have to think twice when he was asked if he would put a “Save Pontiac Prison” sign in his front yard on West Bennett Street.


“I’ve got the same feeling that a lot of people have: It will hurt,” he said of Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s proposal to close Pontiac Correctional Center to save money.

 

"Lawmakers propose moratorium on prison closures" Press Release- 5/8/2008

Springfield, Ill. – It’s time to quit playing games with “roving prison closures” and end the current environment of political gamesmanship that surrounds prison site decisions, a group of Illinois lawmakers say. In response, these legislators are advocating for a comprehensive review of Illinois’ correctional facilities.

 

"Lawmakers push to save Pontiac prison" WEEK TV- 5/8/2008

The push to save Pontiac Prison is on in Springfield.

 

Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation calling for a study of the state prison system. It would prevent the closing of a prison until the study is complete in September of next year.

 

"Lawmakers craft plan to examine all Illinois prisons" Galesburg Register Mail- 5/8/2008
SPRINGFIELD —  In the wake of this week's announcement that the Blagojevich administration wants to close the Pontiac Correctional Center, lawmakers today unveiled legislation that would create a panel to examine all of Illinois' prisons.
 
"Gov. says stopping prison closings would hurt efforts to save money" Bloomington Pantagraph- 5/8/2008
SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Thursday panned a plan aimed at stopping him from closing the state prison in Pontiac.

The governor, who announced earlier this week he wants to shutter the maximum-security lockup by February, said a proposal to place a moratorium on prison closings could hamstring his efforts to save money.
 
"Working together will help Pontiac survive latest blow" Bloomington Pantagraph- 5/8/2008

The past four months have been difficult for Pontiac. First there was the flooding in January that displaced hundreds of people and closed several businesses and a school.

Then, the federal government initially denied disaster assistance.

 

"Guv tries politics of violence" Capitol Fax- 5/7/2008
One of the problems with the Statehouse lately is that everything seems to be a rerun.  The Senate and the House are fighting. The governor and the House are fighting.  The governor's trying to close a prison to put AFSCME on the defensive.  Everything old is new again.  All we need now is another Committee of the Whole from House Speaker Michael Madigan to really complete things.
 
"Officials unify to keep Pontiac Correctional Center open" Kankakee Daily Journal- 5/7/2008

SPRINGFIELD -- Pontiac Correctional Center opened in 1871, but it's misleading to characterize the entire prison as being more than 100 years old, say critics of an Illinois Department of Corrections proposal to scrap the facility.

 

"Process could be savior" Pontiac Daily Leader- 5/7/2008

At his Tuesday press conference regarding the possible closing of Pontiac Correctional Center, State Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa (53rd District), handed out copies of the Illinois State Statute dealing with the State Facilities Closure Act.
 

"Letter tells of prison's situation" Pontiac Daily Leader- 5/7/2008

At his Tuesday press conference, held in Pontiac, State Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa (53rd District), released copies of the letter, sent on Friday, by Illinois Department of Corrections Director Roger E. Walker Jr., to State Sen. Arthur J. Wilhelmi, R-Crest Hill (43rd District), canceling the plan to close a portion of Stateville Correctional Center, Joliet, and making public for the first time a new plan to close Pontiac Correctional Center by February 2009.
 

"Plan to stop prison closing gets backing from Jones ally" Bloomington Pantagraph- 5/7/2008

SPRINGFIELD -- A plan aimed at stopping Gov. Rod Blagojevich from closing Pontiac Correctional Center has gained the support of a top Senate Democrat.

Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete, has signed on as a co-sponsor of legislation that would impose a moratorium on prison closings.

 

"Illinois:Lawmakers to fight for prison" THOnline.com- 5/7/2008

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.

 

"Blagojevich flip-flops on decision to close prisons" Bloomington Pantagraph- 5/7/2008
SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s decision to close a state prison is a reversal of what his own prison experts said just a year ago.

In May 2007, an Illinois Department of Corrections spokesman said top brass at the agency had no plans to close any state prisons.

 
"Prison Politics" Capitol Fax- 5/6/2008
The last time that Gov. Rod Blagojevich tried to close a state prison was back in 2004, when he wanted to shutter the Vandalia facility.  That move was successfully blocked by vigorous local organizing and by Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson, who represents the Vandalia site and most of its workers.
 
"Pontiac facility slated for closure" Pontiac Daily Leader- 5/6/2008
When a letter penned by Illinois Department of Corrections chief Roger Walker Jr. to State Sen. A.J. Wilhelmi, D-Joliet, became public knowledge on Monday a flood tide opened up in Pontiac.
 
"Local officials present united front against prison closing" Bloomington Pantagraph- 5/6/2008
PONTIAC -- Local officials on Tuesday tried to present a united front against the proposed closing of Pontiac Correctional Center, calling for a moratorium on the shuttering of state facilities and more research into the plan.
 
"Lawmakers vow to fight for Pontiac prison" Belleville News-Democrat- 5/6/2008

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. --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.

 

Pontiac area leaders united on desire to keep Pontiac Correctional Facility open

State Senator Dan Rutherford (R-Pontiac), Representatives Shane Cultra (R- Onarga) and Keith Sommer (R-Morton) were joined by Pontiac and Livingston County area officials to express a united voice in opposition to a Blagojevich Administration plan to close the Pontiac Correctional Center.

 

"Mayor: Unified strategy planned for Pontiac prison" Bloomington Pantagraph- 5/6/2008
PONTIAC -- Rod Blagojevich didn’t make any friends in Livingston County on Monday.

“The only thing I have to say right now is that I am thoroughly shocked,” Mayor Scott McCoy said after learning the governor’s latest plan for the Department of Corrections hinges on closing the Pontiac Correctional Center. “I have already talked with (state Sen. Dan) Rutherford and others, and the action we will take will be unified, swift and immediate. We will do everything we can to keep it open.”
 
"Rutherford says closing Pontiac prison makes no sense" The Daily Journal- 5/6/2008

PONTIAC, Ill. (AP) — State Senator Dan Rutherford says he supported the construction of the Thomson Correctional Facility in northern Illinois.


The Pontiac Republican says Thomson was built to alleviate overcrowding at state prisons -- not to prompt the closure of existing, well-functioning facilities
.

 

"Targeting Pontiac prison is more hocus pocus" Bloomington Pantagraph- 5/6/2008

Once again, Rod Blagojevich the Political Magician has waved his wand and pulled a skunk out of his hat.

The governor's latest trick is turning a plan to close a portion of Stateville Correctional Center into a plan to close Pontiac Correctional Center.
 

"State may close Pontiac prison" WEEK.com- 5/5/2008

More devastating news today for a local town that was devastated by floods earlier this year. The Governor has announced plans to close the Pontiac Prison by next February.

 

"Fight vowed over proposed Pontiac prison closure" Bloomington Pantagraph- 5/5/2008

SPRINGFIELD -- State and local officials vowed Monday to fight a plan to close the state's maximum-security prison in Pontiac.

For the second time since Gov. Rod Blagojevich took office, his administration has targeted the 137-year-old lock-up for closure as part of a proposal officials say will save money and allow the state to begin using a newer prison in Thomson.

 

"Governor wants to close Pontiac prison" Galesburg Register-Mail- 5/5/2008
Springfield— Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s administration is canceling its plan to close part of the Stateville prison near Joliet and now wants to shut down the Pontiac Correctional Center instead.
 
"Governor plans to close Pontiac prison" WJBC- 5/5/2008

Pontiac Mayor Scott McCoy says he hopes to meet with state Senator Dan Rutherford and local officials in the next 24 hours to devise a plan to save the Pontiac Correctional Center. Governor Blagojevich has announced plans to chose the maximum-security prison, while keeping open a similar prison near Joliet.

 

"Stateville gets new lease on life as Pontiac is placed on chopping block" Chicago Tribune- 5/5/2008

The Illinois Department of Corrections has backed off closing a wing of Stateville prison north of Joliet and now wants to shut Pontiac Correctional Center and transfer its 1,600 inmates to a facility near the Iowa border.

 

 

 

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