Welcome to my new homepage!
I am happy you have chosen to learn more about government and our legislative office. Our homepage includes various links that offer useful information, hotline phone numbers for state services and background on our legislative and political efforts.

I am pleased to provide you with information on this changing channel of communication. Tax dollars were not used to bring you this web site. I hope the information contained here is helpful. Government should be an interactive process and I encourage your input. Please feel free to contact me with any  questions or concerns you may have.		  


Dan Rutherford
State Senator

 

 

 

Senator Rutherford also has a website for personal and non-governmental matters. Please visit  www.DanRutherford.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keeping Pontiac Correctional Center (PCC) open is imperative. PCC closing would have a profound impact on Pontiac, Livingston County, Central Illinois and the entire Correctional system….all negative.

 

I am using my Senate website as the e vehicle to post current information and Action Alerts.

 

Having signs and t-shirts saying ‘Save Pontiac Prison’ is good. They are enthusiasm builders and give one an outlet to show support. That being said, we need to reach out to opinion leaders and policy makers in other parts of Illinois in order to be successful.

 

Action Alerts are now posted and you can be of help. One is to write Governor Blagojevich. The other two are to write legislators with Correctional facilities in their District and letters to the editor of newspapers in towns with Correctional centers; it is thought they would understand the impact closing a facility would have on their community. All of the addresses and bullet points for the letters are below. 

 

When you write a letter, make it personal. Explain how the prison closure will affect your family, as well as the community. Please remember to be polite and respectful when writing other legislators. I would like for you to send me a copy of your letter or letters. Send them to my District Office at 320 N. Plum Street, Pontiac, IL 61764.
 

I am personally visiting Editorial Boards of newspapers and talk radio explaining how illogical it is to close Pontiac when the Illinois Correctional system is already at 135% of capacity. The message is being very well received and I have posted the news articles and editorials for you to read.

 

There is a set procedure that must be followed before the Governor can actually close a correctional center. That is outlined in the State Facility Closure Act text below.. A part of that procedure is for Public Comment to the legislative Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA). The date when those letters may be sent to COGFA in order to be a part of the official record will be posted here and I will send you an e mail if you are signed up to received updates. The Public Comment period will likely be early July through mid-August.

 

There will also be a Public Hearing, in Pontiac, with the Legislative members and staff from COGFA participating. That will likely be in later August and I will post that information here, as well.

 

Encourage your family and friends, throughout the state, to sign up on our website to receive Action Alerts if they want to be helpful.

I will continue to keep you updated.

Sincerely,
Dan Rutherford

 


State Senator
320 N. Plum Street
Pontiac, IL 61764

 

 

 

Pontiac Correctional Center

 

(picture by the Pontiac Daily Leader)     

 

The Blagojevich Administration has called for the closure of the Pontiac Correctional Center. In an attempt to keep the public current on happenings on the matter, Senator Rutherford has created this internet log of information.

 

Please check back. Updated information will be posted frequently.

 

 

Sign-up for PCC E-Mail Updates

 

Sen. Rutherford will be sending out updates on the scheduled closing of Pontiac Correctional Center by email. Please register if you would like to receive these updates when relevant action takes place.

 

 

 

 

Official Correspondence on PCC Closure

 

 

Official Recommendation for Closure of PCC from the Department of Corrections (July 16, 2008)

 

Proposed Pontiac Correctional Center Closure

 

Appendix A: Pontiac Correctional Center Economic Impact Analysis

 

The Illinois Department of Corrections has filed the official recommendation for Closure of PCC with the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. The August 12 Public Hearing date is still scheduled. 

 

 

Revised schedule for  PCC hearings  (July 16, 2008)

 

The above document was released by the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. It is the tentative time frame for the implementation of Closure Act proceedings. This schedule is revised as of July 16, 2008.

 

 

Letter from Sen. Watson, Sen. Rutherford, and Sen. Radogno to Attorney General Lisa Madigan  (July 8, 2008)

 

Press Statement regarding letter to Attorney General Madigan

(July 8, 2008)

 

The Department of Corrections failed to meet its statutory obligation to file an official closure recommendation to the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability regarding Pontiac Correctional Center.

 

State Senator Dan Rutherford (R-Pontiac), State Senator Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) and Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson (R-Greenville) have sent a letter to Attorney General Lisa Madigan asking for the office to issue a legal opinion about the impact of the Department of Corrections’ failure to file a recommendation for the closure of Pontiac Correctional Center.

 

 

Illinois Department of Corrections requests extension to file official recommendation of closure for PCC  (June 30, 2008)

 

The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) has submitted a request for an extension of the July 2 deadline to file the recommendation of closure for Pontiac Correctional Center. The IDOC is required, per the State Facilities Closure Act, to file this information  with the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA). In a letter to COGFA on June 30, IDOC Director Roger Walker asks that the deadline be moved to July 15th.

 

 

Request to Gov. Blagojevich to support a moratorium on prison closures  (May 22, 2008)

 

Sen. Dan Rutherford and Sen. Christine Radogno addressed this letter to Gov. Blagojevich in an effort to garner his support on legislation proposing a moratorium on prison closures.

 

 

Official request for a recommendation of closure concerning Pontiac Correctional Center  (May 16, 2008)

 

The letter contains language from COGFA asking the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) to provide its official recommendation of closure for Pontiac Correctional Center (PCC) by July 2, 2008. Also contained in the letter are exact specifications for why IDOC is recommending the closure of PCC.

 

 

Tentative schedule for PCC hearings (May 6, 2008)

 

*Revised schedule for PCC hearings* (July 16, 2008)

 

The above document was released by the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. It is the tentative time frame for the implementation of Closure Act proceedings.

 

 

Official notice to the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability  (May 5, 2008)

 

The Official Notice on closing PCC was given by the Blagojevich Administration to the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability.

 

 

State Facilities Closure Act  (State Law)

 

The State Facilities Closure Act defines the guidelines that must be followed when attempting to close a state facility such as Pontiac Correctional Center. The act clearly sets the timeline for the process of closure, as well as what questions must be answered before the closure proceedings may move forward.

 

 

 

 

Action Alert: Public Comment Period

July 16 - August 26

 

The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) is a Legislative Commission and responsible to review the recommendation for closure of PCC. A part of their process is to have an official public comment period. This is when those interested in having their feelings on the matter be made a part of the official record need to submit their comments in writing. The date for the public comment period is July 16 through August 26. 

You are encouraged to send correspondence to the Commission, expressing your views, telling how closing PCC would affect you or your family and friends. If you have already written a letter to the Governor on this matter and sent me a copy, I have forwarded the copy to COGFA during the comment period and it will become a part of the official record; you do not need to write another letter. 

The correspondence should be addressed to:

Senator Jeff Schoenberg - Co-Chairman

Representative Rich Myers - Co-Chairman

Commission on Government

Forecasting and Accountability
703 Stratton Office Building

Springfield, IL 62706

 

It would be helpful if you would send a copy of the correspondence to Senator Dan Rutherford, 320 North Plum Street, Pontiac, IL 61764. 

 

 

Action Alert! – Public Hearing on the proposed closing of Pontiac Prison

 

The Commission on Government Forecasting will be holding the public hearing for Pontiac Prison's proposed closing on Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. More details to come.

 

 

 

Media Reports

 

July 21, 2008

 

Check here for news stories from around Illinois regarding the closure of PCC. Fresh articles will be posted regularly.

 

Corrections Tour Photos

 

Below are pictures from Sen. Rutherford's and Sen. Radogno's statewide Corrections tour.  The tour is to promote long range, strategic planning for corrections facilities throughout Illinois.

 

Sen. Rutherford, Sen. Frank Watson, and Sen. Radogno at John Graham CC in Hillsboro

Sen. Rutherford, Sen. Radogno, and Sen. Watson at Vandalia CC

Sen. Rutherford and Sen. Radogno at Jacksonville CC.

Sen. Rutherford, Sen. Radogno, Rep. Tracy, and Jim Logsdon at Western Illinois CC.

Sen. Rutherford, Sen. Bomke, and Sen. Radogno at Lincoln CC.

Sen. Rutherford and Sen. Radogno at Decatur CC.

Sen. Radogno, Sen. Rutherford, and Rep. Cultra at Dwight CC.

Sen. Radogno, Sen. Rutherford, and Crest Hill Mayor Nick Churnovic at Stateville CC.

 

 

Pontiac prison close officially suggested

 

Peoria Journal Star

Matt Buedel

 

PONTIAC — The Illinois Department of Corrections has officially recommended the closure of Pontiac's prison in a report filed this week with the state commission reviewing the matter.

In the report, belatedly filed with the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, the department said it would save more than $4 million per year by concurrently closing Pontiac Correctional Center and opening Thompson Correctional Center in northwestern Illinois.

 

Signed budget includes PCC funding

 

Pontiac Daily Leader

Sheila Shelton

 

SPRINGFIELD —State Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa (53rd District), today issued a statement about the governor’s vetoes of portions of the state budget and the impact on Pontiac Correctional Center.

 

 

Attorney General asked for opinion

 

Pontiac Daily Leader

Sheila Shelton

 

Three Illinois state senators, including Dan Rutherford, are asking Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to issue an opinion on the State Department of Corrections' failure to file an official closure recommendation concerning Pontiac Correctional Center.
 

 

Lawmakers ask for decision on missed prison closing deadline

 

SPRINGFIELD -- Some Republican lawmakers want to know what happens now that the state missed a deadline to justify closing Pontiac Correctional Center.

State law said the Department of Corrections was required to report on the impact of closing the prison by July 2. The state asked for an extension, but hasn’t received one.

So state Sen. Dan Rutherford and Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson Tuesday asked Attorney General Lisa Madigan for an official opinion on what happens next.
 

 

No status change

 

Courtesy of Pontiac Daily Leader

Pontiac Daily Leader

Erich Murphy

 

CHENOA — While people celebrated the Fourth of July, nothing has really changed in the status of Pontiac Correctional Center.

Still, Sen. Dan Rutherford said it was good to be able to voice an opinion on matters such as the potential closing of PCC.

"This is the birthday of the freedoms of America," said Rutherford, R-Chenoa (53rd District). "This is what the celebration of freedom is all about.

 

 

Pontiac rallies to save its prison

 

Chicago Tribune

Joel Hood

 

PONTIAC, Ill.—A sweet summer warmth has settled into the old river town of Pontiac, but for weeks now it seems that all anybody wants to talk about is the dark cloud looming overhead.

"Devastating," said restaurant owner Stephanie DeLong.

"We might never recover," said the city's mayor, Scott McCoy.
 

 

DOC misses deadline for plan to close Pontiac prison

 

Bloomington Pantagraph

Kurt Erickson


SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Department of Corrections missed a deadline Wednesday to outline its plan to close Pontiac Correctional Center.

The agency, which has threatened to close the maximum-security facility and move 1,600 inmates to a new, unused prison in Thomson, asked a legislative panel for a two-week extension to compile the report.
 

 

State senators call for review of prisons

 

Peoria Journal Star

Andy Kravetz 

TAYLORVILLE — Launching the third week of their tour of Illinois prisons, Republican state Sens. Dan Rutherford and Christine Radogno stopped Monday at the Taylorville Correctional Center and called again on the governor to temporarily halt any prison closures.

The moratorium would stay in effect until a special panel completes a review of the state's prisons and comes up with a long-range strategic plan for them. Rutherford of Chenoa and Radogno of Lemont say Gov. Rod Blagojevich could implement a prison-closing moratorium and create the new panel by issuing an executive order.

 

2 state lawmakers rally to save Pontiac prison
 

Chicago Tribune

Joel Hood

 

Weeks after blocking a move to close a major section of Stateville Correctional Center, some lawmakers now are rallying to save the aging Pontiac prison in rural Livingston County.

State Sens. Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) and Dan Rutherford (R-Chenoa) met with local leaders at Stateville, north of Joliet, and the Dwight Correctional Center on Monday to discuss the threat to the Pontiac prison and to kickoff a summer tour of state prisons.

 

(L to R: Sen. Radogno, Sen. Rutherford, and Rep. Cultra at Dwight Correctional Center)

 

 

 

                                                                    (Picture by Bloomington Pantagraph)

 

On Wednesday, June 4th, the people of Pontiac and surrounding communities banded together to show their support for keeping Pontiac Prison open.  A special thank you to AFSCME Local 494 for providing the t-shirts and signs for people to display.

 

See the Bloomington Pantagraph's full gallery of images from the "Save Pontiac Prison Parade"

 

Watch the video coverage of the "Save Pontiac Prison Parade"

 

 

Rep. Keith Sommer (right) and Rep. Shane Cultra (left) join Sen. Dan Rutherford in addressing the media concerning the Pontiac Correctional Center closure

 

 

Sen. Christine Radogno and Sen. Dan Rutherford join Steve Fast live on WJBC to discuss the possible Pontiac Corrections Center closure.

 

 

Complete study, plan needed before closing prisons

 

Bloomington Pantagraph

Pantagraph Editorial Board


We support a moratorium on closing prisons until a comprehensive plan is developed to determine which prisons - if any - should be closed.
 

 
 

Senator Dan Rutherford’s website for Legislative and Public Policy matters is:
http://www.DanRutherford.com

 

Senator Dan Rutherford’s website for political matters is:
http://www.DanRutherford.org

Senator Rutherford is the Chairman of the Committee for Legislative Action. Its primary purpose is to bring sunlight to attempts to raise Taxes, Fees and increase Government Regulations in Illinois. Their website is:
http://www.CommitteeForLegislativeAction.org

 

District Office
320 N. Plum Street
Pontiac, IL 61764
(815) 842-3632
(815) 842-2875 Fax

Springfield Office
105B Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-6597
(217) 782-0116 Fax

The development, hosting and maintenance of Senator Rutherford's web site are not paid for with taxpayer dollars. The phone line and internet service for Senator Rutherford's e-mails are also not paid for at taxpayer expense.