Blagojevich puts prison plan in limbo

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By Kurt Erickson | Saturday, May 03, 2008 |

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Rod Blagojevich apparently is dropping plans to close a portion of Stateville Correctional Center.

An announcement detailing the decision is scheduled for Monday, but word of the governor’s apparent about-face began circulating Friday.

State Rep. Brent Hassert, R-Romeoville, said Friday he was notified of the change by a top aide to the governor.

“It’s what we wanted. It’s a big plus for us,” said Hassert, who had been fighting the proposed closure of the maximum-security wing of the Joliet-area prison.

In February, the Illinois Department of Corrections announced it would shutter the Round House section of the prison and move inmates into maximum-security prisons in Pontiac and Menard.

Eventually, inmates from those facilities were to be moved into an unused state prison in Thomson, about 30 miles north of the Quad-Cities. The plan was estimated to save $31 million, but it would have resulted in the loss or transfer of up to 400 prison jobs.

The governor’s office and the Illinois Department of Corrections could not be reached for comment.

State Sen. A.J. Wilhelmi, D-Joliet, whose district includes the prison and many of its employees, voted “present” the day before on a measure to give voters an opportunity to recall elected officials such as the governor, which fell short by three votes.

Cindy Davidsmeyer, spokeswoman for Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago, had no additional information on the developments.

“I don’t know anything,” Davidsmeyer said.

However, state Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, said the move smacks of political payback.

“There are going to be a lot politics played here,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs is concerned that aborting the Stateville closure will further hamper his efforts to bring jobs to Thomson.

“I have not heard anything,” Jacobs said. “I still have to believe the state is going to do what’s right. I’ll keep my fingers crossed. This stopping and starting with Thomson just isn’t right.”

Anders Lindall, spokesman for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31, said the union is concerned that abandoning the Stateville plan could result in a proposal to close other prisons, such as Pontiac.

“All throughout the Stateville closure battle, we’ve cautioned our members to be mindful of a bait and switch,” said Lindall.

Kurt Erickson can be contacted at (217) 789-0865 or kurt.erickson@lee.net.