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Lawmaker Doesn't Want Thomson Prison Forgotten About
The state prison system should accommodate both Pontiac and Thomson, according to the state senator whose district includes Pontiac. Dan Rutherford (R-Chenoa) held a news conference in Thomson, in northwestern Illinois, to assure people there he believes the largely unused facility there should be fully functioning.

State Rep. Mike Boland (D-East Moline), whose district includes Thomson, agrees, and goes a step further: he says older prisons such as Pontiac should be specialized rehab facilities, citing Sheridan as an example.

Rutherford says the state spent about $70 million last fiscal year on prison overtime, and that money would be better spent operating Thomson and returning the other staffers to a regular work schedule. Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich last year announced the closing of Pontiac, after reversing a decision to close the Stateville prison. The new administration of Gov. Pat Quinn is keeping Pontiac open.

(Illinois Radio Network)
04 14 09 by Newsroom
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