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LEMONT - Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) doesn’t want taxpayers taken for a ride on a proposed Thomson Prison Sale.

At a Dec. 16th press conference, Radogno said she is opposed to moving prisoners now held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to Illinois. But, her main point was to raise financial questions about the move that have not been addressed by either Gov. Pat Quinn or the Obama administration.

Taxpayers of Illinois have as much as $250 million invested in the Thomson Correctional Center – including land costs, construction costs and bond interest – which must be factored into any proposed sale.  The state still owes money on the prison and because Illinois prisons are overcrowded and understaffed, the state may still need to build a replacement.

Illinois taxpayers deserve specifics to address security concerns, jurisdiction issues and costs. The Lemont Republican says the true costs must be considered – including a premium to address security, replace Thomson in the Department of Corrections and repair or upgrade existing overcrowded Illinois prison facilities.

In addition to the original cost of construction, Illinois has paid $50 million in  interest on the construction loan. It’s unfair to taxpayers to lose that interest and have to take out a new loan to build a replacement. 

The Governor has threatened an end-run around the legislature, claiming he can arbitrarily declare the prison “surplus” and offer it for sale without legislative review. Radogno said legislators should be given a chance to review the sale and analyze the financial ramifications before the Governor puts the prison on the block.

 Source: Illinois Senate Republican Caucus