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Questions on How Thomson Would be Sold

The controversy over Gov. Pat Quinn's plan to sell Thomson prison to the federal government, to be used to hold accused terrorists from Guantanamo Bay, even includes "how" to sell the prison. According to Robyn Ziegler, spokeswoman for the attorney general's office, Attorney General Lisa Madigan would not have to approve such a sale. But a legislative committee would likely play a role. Dan Long, executive director of the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, says the Facility Closure Act would apply because Quinn would have to close Thomson as a state prison before selling it. That act was approved by state lawmakers after then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich tried to close the Vandalia prison. Long says Quinn is supposed to notify COGFA within two days of announcing a plan to sell, and that would trigger a series of notices, an economic impact statement requirement, and a public hearing. He says the process would take at least four to five months. Another option, according to Long, is for Quinn to deem the prison surplus property. If that happens, another set of rules kick in, including one that would require state government to offer the prison first to local governments, then to non-profit agencies. If Quinn wants a faster process, he could ask state lawmakers to vote to waive the other laws. On the flip side, if lawmakers want to block the plan, they could vote to do that. (Illinois Radio Network)

11 18 09 by Newsroom

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