By Tony Sapochetti
Bloomington Pantagraph
Ill. prison to close earlier than expected
Pontiac prison closure plan draws controversy
PONTIAC, Ill. — Local officials are continuing to talk with state leaders about the closure of Pontiac Correctional Center.
“I can tell you adamantly that we are not throwing in the towel,” state Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa, told a morning crowd at the Pontiac VFW. “We will continue to use all legal and ethical means necessary to keep the prison open.”
Also speaking were state Reps. Keith Sommer, R-Morton, and Shane Cultra, R-Onarga; Pontiac Mayor Scott McCoy; and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 representative Joe Pluger. All emphasized that they will continue to fight the closing of the 137-year-old facility.
Rutherford recalled a similar meeting four years ago when Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced he intended to close the prison.
The current plan calls for a Dec. 31 closure.
McCoy said a state task force is supposed to provide a smooth transition and find opportunities for the building and grounds.
A lawsuit filed against Blagojevich and other state officials is pending. Pluger said there have been internally filed grievances regarding safety and security issues.
About 80 people attended the meeting and asked about speculation and rumors. Several were concerned with the families, communities and safety.
“I think it was a good meeting, but I just don’t think we solved anything,” Jerry Zehr of Pontiac said.
Zehr retired from the prison in 2004 after 26 years and his wife works at the prison. Zehr said the Livingston County natives haven’t thought about moving.
“I think that it is all a political game and they are just bumping heads,” he said. “In my gut feeling, I don’t think he will close it. Look what happened at (Vandalia Correction Center.) (Blagojevich) said he was going to close that and changed his mind at the last second.”
Jennifer Dillon of Pontiac said her husband, Micah, has been working as a correctional officer for five years. She has five children, four of whom live at home in a house purchased two years ago.
“Everybody still wants to have some hope and that there is something that will change the governor’s mind,” she said. “We have to stay here, and who is going to want to buy a home after all of this.”
Copyright 2008 The Pantagraph