http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/07/08/news/doc4873e78d82243187838932.txt

Lawmakers ask for decision on missed prison closing deadline

July 8, 2008

Bloomington Pantagraph

Mike Riopell

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.

“What does this mean?” said Rutherford, a Chenoa Republican. “What happens now?”

A spokesman for Madigan confirmed the office received the request. “The request for an opinion is under review,” said spokesman Scott Mulford.

A public meeting on the potential prison closure is set for Aug. 12 in Pontiac. But Rutherford wondered if the meeting would be pushed back because of the missed deadline.

Prison officials have said they missed the deadline because the state is without a budget. The future of the prison remains unclear.

Lawmakers and Blagojevich might still act to change the state budget. But for now, Blagojevich hasn’t specifically outlined the Pontiac prison in the list of state cuts he’s threatening to make if the budget isn’t balanced.

In a statement, Watson said he wanted a legal opinion on the missed deadline in part because of previous Blagojevich attempts to close prisons, including Pontiac.