Pontiac prison close officially suggested

Report filed this week says closure could save state $4 million or more

July 18, 2008

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.

That figure, however, did not account for capital upgrades the report said were necessary to keep the Pontiac maximum-security prison operating efficiently. The Thompson prison has never entirely opened to inmates because of state money troubles.

The report had been due to the commission by July 2, a matter that has been referred to the Illinois Attorney General's Office for an opinion by state Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa.

Rutherford said Thursday the delay has shifted the timeline for a decision on the prison's closure but hasn't altered the schedule for a public hearing Aug. 12. A final advisory determination on the prison's fate is expected by Sept. 24.

Rutherford also said he is still working with local leaders to oppose the closure.

"The community is preparing to respond," he said. "The bottom line is (IDOC officials) said they're going to save a few million dollars, and we need to review that."

Another report filed with the commission by the Rural Economic Technical Assistance Center, however, detailed grave consequences for Pontiac and surrounding communities should the prison shut down.

That report noted a direct withdrawal of nearly $30 million in spendable income from the four-county region surrounding the prison where a vast majority of its 569 employees live. Indirect losses to Pontiac and other communities would be even greater.

"It would be devastating to businesses," Rutherford said.

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