Posted on 11/14/2009 8:37:59 AM PST by STARWISE
A near-empty prison in rural Illinois has emerged as "a leading option" to house suspected terrorists currently held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, an Obama administration official said Friday. PHOTOS
As they work to shutter the controversial detention center, federal officials are talking to Illinois officials about buying the Thomson Correctional Center, a maximum-security prison about 150 miles west of Chicago.
With Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and other key officials warm to the idea of a federal purchase of the prison, federal officials have stepped up investigations into turning Thomson into a super-maximum facility with a unit for former Guantanamo detainees.
"This has emerged as a leading option," an Obama administration official said Friday night, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the discussions.
The official wouldn't say how many of the detainees could transfer to Illinois, describing it only as a "limited number."
*snip*
On Saturday, Quinn's office released a statement saying only that "senior officials of the Obama administration will be visiting the Thomson Correction Center to see if the virtually vacant, state-of-the-art facility can be better utilized by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Overcrowding in federal prisons is a serious issue and one of the reasons why the Bureau of Prisons is interested in viewing Thomson Correction Center.
"As always, Governor Quinn's first priority is public safety and security, an issue that will definitely be part of any future discussions with federal prison authorities regarding Thomson. In addition, the Quinn administration is interested in utilizing Thomson to create many news jobs and generate greater economic development for Illinois."
Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois said he and Quinn will be holding several news conferences on the issue Sunday. One of those news conferences will be held at Midway Airport in Chicago.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagobreakingnews.com ...
~~PONG!
It always had been that.
Just release now into Chicago, give them $10 million dollars for pain and suffering and let their families live here with endless welfare and free homes, cars, credit cards. Put them in charge of ACORN and SEIU. This is what Obama wants. They are victims in Hussein’s eyes.
More votes for Mark Kirk next year, among other GOP candidates.
The place is a hellhole with toll booths every five feet. Good choice, I would say.
Probably file a lawsuit citing cruelty (and if they did, they'd probably win. Seems the enemies of this country are the only ones left with rights.)
And horrible roads.
One of my sons is a long-hauler. He says he can tell, when he crosses a state border, what party is in control of that state - by the terrible condition of the roads and the increase in tolls.
It's the liberal way: take all your money, stuff in their pockets and stiff you.
I can see it! “AL-QUEDA FILES FOR CHAPTER 11: Costs of Protesting Detention Skyrocket; Terrorist Networks for Sale.”
I like the idea, too!
And then they could move the 9/11 terrorist's trial from New York to Chicago.
If we’re going to plant these guys on US soil, let’s plant them in a big blue area.
You don’t want them in my red neighborhood, where they will face bigotry and discrimination.
Blue states are far more tolerant and open minded. Besides, they wanted these guys out of Cuba.
So Illinois is a fine choice.
No, no - the US government will bail them out (if they promise to Unionize).
I think the District of Columbia would be a better spot. Perhaps along Massachusetts Avenue NW.
After all, it’s no fairer blaming all of Illinois for Chicago & East St Louis than it is blaming all of Maryland for Baltimore and PG County.
HEY! I take exception to that remark.
I'll have you know that the Toll Booths are 7 feet apart. So there!
;-)
That moron Blago DOUBLED the toll price if you paid in cash.
Forced almost everyone to get one of those I-Pass gizmos (we know where you are, where and when).
I hate Illinois jihadists!
They can move to 63rd & California and west to the viaduct like their brothers have already done.
I can only imagine the price tag that the Illinois officials will put on this boondoggle!
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