Illinois prison in running to house Gitmo detainees

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | November 14, 2009 | Lynn Sweet

[topfile]

WASHINGTON — A nearly empty state prison in northwestern Illinois has emerged as a possible site to house detainees transferred from the Guantanamo Bay military prison in Cuba, the Obama White House told the Chicago Sun-Times on Saturday.

Gov. Quinn and Obama discussed the federal purchase of the Thomson Correctional Center when Quinn was in Washington on Nov. 4 and visited the White House. Quinn and Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) will outline proposals for the future of the prison at press conferences in the Quad Cities, Chicago and Rockford on Sunday.

Durbin’s office has been quarterbacking the potential sale of the prison through a series of meetings between the White House and Quinn, who is looking to generate revenues for the cash-strapped state. State government could realize at least $200 million from a sale.

The Thomson complex is the Illinois Department of Corrections’ newest maximum-security prison. Built in 2001 for $145 million, the 1,600-bed facility has zero inmates. The facility’s minimum-security operation has about 200 prisoners.

-snip-

The closing of Guantanamo has touched off a political storm for Obama, who made shutting the prison in Cuba a signature pledge of his presidential campaign. Obama promised on his first day in office to close the prison in one year, but it has proved more difficult than Obama or his advisors ever contemplated, especially since other nations have balked at accepting detainees.

Holder on Friday, discussing the Guantanamo closure said “I’m not sure we are going to be able to complete that process by Jan. 22.”

[topfile]

Goodbye Cuba hello Land of Lincoln!

[ricks_place]

Consolation prize for losing the International Summer Olympics.

[Mike Darancette]

Make sure these “special” prisoners get work release and weekends in town.

Wouldn’t having a Muslims only prison be discrimination?

[I still care]

The Fed is buying a State Prison in Ill? Who’s Obama paying back?

[Redbob]

No doubt involving the payment of millions of dollars per year per prisoner...

[newfreep]

Exactly - MAO-bama is funneling more taxpayer money to his mob cronies.

[topfile]

paying back?

I'll bet the Gitmo Detainees are happy.

[Western Phil]

The Fed is buying a State Prison in Ill? Who’s Obama paying back?

Blagojevich

[topfile]

Hoops anyone?

[guitarplayer1953]

If the state sell it should it not give the good folks of Illinois a tax refund since they are the one who paid for the prison through taxes?

[norwaypinesavage]

Does the chosen prison win the contest, or loose the contest?

[RichInOC]

Too good for ‘em. Bring back Joliet.

[luvie]

Can we say....

“Follow the money...”?

There will be beaucoup dollars following those monsters
to Illinois for the prison system and the state government;
a little gift from their favorite son! GRRR!

[niteowl77]

Thomson is on the BNSF's Chicago to Mpls/St Paul main line, within urinating distance of two railroad and three road bridges across the Mississippi, about 8 miles upriver from Lock & Dam 13, and 30 miles up the highway from Cordova and its nuclear power plant. Great vacation spot for jihadis and their visitors.

It is also within an hour's drive to yours truly. Thanks for nothing, Barack.

[A_Former_Democrat]

Sweet Home Chicago

Chicago, Chicago, a wonderful town

[topfile]

[b4its2late]

Hey, if you can’t get the Olympics, this has to be the next best thing!

[madameguinot]

BINGO.

[imfrmdixie]

Good! Maybe it’ll be ready to receive those Chicago crooks that are in the White House.

[stylin19a]

if this comes to fruition, this should be the issue that gets Durbin unelected. Unfortunately, the illinois Republicans are THE stupid party. They should own this state in the next election, but it's not gunna happen.