Governor Blagojevich on Gambling

http://www.pontiacdailyleader.com/articles/2008/07/10/news/news2.txt

 

Signed budget includes PCC funding

 

July 10, 2008

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.

“I am very pleased that the governor’s reduction or line-item vetoes did not extend into the funding for Pontiac Correctional Center,” Rutherford said. “With the Department of Corrections prison population already being at 135 percent of capacity, it does not make sense to not fund a fully functional prison. I will continue to work to ensure that public safety will remain a top priority in the state of Illinois budget.”

Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Wednesday signed a budget for the coming year which did not include cuts for PCC.

 

Blagojevich made public in early May his plans to close PCC by next February.

After the governor had announced the proposed closing his budget proposal released in June reflected money for full funding of PCC for the coming year.

Last week, the Illinois Department of Corrections notified the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability that it could not submit paperwork for closure of PCC by July 2. An extension was requested by DOC.

 

One of the reasons, stated by DOC, for the extension was the fact that the department wasn't sure if Blagojevich would leave the proposed funding in the budget for PCC for the coming year.

In a phone call from Springfield this morning, Rutherford told the Daily Leader that he is pleased by Wednesday's action of leaving PCC funding in the budget.

"However, the governor still has not withdrawn his intent to close down PCC," said Rutherford. "Even though the funding remains in the budget, the governor could still go through with the closure plans for PCC.

 

"I do believe that it is becoming less likely now that we know funding is there but we still have to continue with the procedure we are in presently."

Rutherford was referring to the making of plans for an Aug. 12 hearing to be held in Pontiac by COGFA. The hearing is required before a prison facility can be closed down and is mandated by Illinois Statute.

 

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