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| What's Next Following Vote Approving of Thomson Sale |
Now that the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability has recommended closing Thomson Prison, there is a lot more to be done.
State Sen. Jeff Schoenberg (D-Evanston), the commission co-chairman, says after Jan. 15, the Illinois Department of Corrections must declare the facility surplus property and make arrangements to transfer prisoners housed there, as well as corrections officers and other staff.
After that, other state agencies have 60 days to claim the property for their operations, but the senator says that’s not likely and the state could speed up or skip that process.
The facility would have three separate appraisals. The average of those appraisals plus the cost to perform them would equal the fair market value, a starting point for negotiations for the state, Schoenberg says.
Once the property is appraised, local units of government would have the option to buy the facility -- again, something Schoenberg says is not likely.
Another 60 days would go by during that period and if there are no takers, the prison would be sold to the federal government. The prison technically will be put up for auction, but that is more of a formality as it's unlikely there are others looking to purchase a prison.
There is another way to make the sale, says State Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington), who opposed the closure recommendation. Brady says Gov. Pat Quinn could dispose of the property by statute and allow lawmakers in Springfield a vote on the fate of Thomson. It is unlikely Quinn will choose that option.
(Illinois Radio Network) |
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| 01 07 10 by Newsroom |
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