The date for the Public Hearing on the closure of Pontiac Correctional Center (PCC) has been changed. Governor Blagojevich called Special Session for the Legislature in Springfield on August 12th, the scheduled date of the hearing.

The Hearing has been moved to Wednesday, August 20th. All other details remain the same. It will be held at Pontiac Township High School, 1100 E. Indiana Avenue at 5:00 PM.

The Commission on Government Forecasting will be holding a public hearing for Pontiac Prison’s proposed closing on Tuesday, August, 2008 at 5:00 p.m..  More details to come.

Senator Dan Rutherford will be hosting a town hall meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, June 9th in the Pontiac City Hall to provide citizens with more information on Pontiac Correctional Center closure and ideas for citizen’s actions.

Click here for more information

5/18/2008
Bloomington Pantagraph
Pantagraph Editorial Board

We support a moratorium on closing prisons until a comprehensive plan is developed to determine which prisons – if any – should be closed.

The plan must show how it can be done to ensure that Illinois taxpayers save money without compromising their safety or the safety of the people who work in the prisons as well as those serving time.

We would say this even if Pontiac Correctional Center were not targeted for closure by Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

With the state’s prisons at 135 percent of capacity, the state should be looking at opening the already-completed, but nearly vacant prison in Thomson without closing Pontiac or another facility.

Pantagraph article

More on Sen Dan Rutherford’s Website

Click here to sign the petition to stop the closure of PCC.

General Assembly Panel would study corrections facilities

5/17/2008
Southtown Star
Bob Okon

A number of Illinois legislators want a moratorium on any more plans to close state prisons.

The proposed legislation comes after the governor this year suggested closing Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill before deciding to keep it open and instead close Pontiac Correctional Center.
Either closing would lead to the loss of hundreds of jobs and be a severe blow to the community that hosts the prison, state Sen. Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) said.

Radogno noted that the proposal to close Pontiac marks the fifth time the Illinois Department of Corrections has named a prison for possible closing since Gov. Rod Blagojevich has been in office.

More at Southtown Star

More at Sen Dan Rutherford’s Website

Official Recommendation

The letter contains language from COGFA asking the Illinois Depart Official request for a recommendation of closure concerning Pontiac Correctional Centerment of Corrections (IDOC) to provide its official recommendation of closure for Pontiac Correctional Center (PCC) by July 2, 2008. Also contained in the letter are exact specifications for why IDOC is recommending the closure of PCC.

This letter was sent from Roger Walker, the Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections, to State Senator Arthur J. Wilhelmi. Stateville Correctional Facility is located in Sen. Wilhelmi’s District.

The letter states the plan to close PCC and keep the Stateville Roundhouse open.

The State Facilities Closure Act text

The State Facilities Closure Act outlines the guidelines that must be followed in order to close a state facility such as PCC.

State Facilities Closure Act

The Blagojevich Administration has called for the closure of the Pontiac Correctional Center. In an attempt to keep the public current on happenings on the matter, Senator Rutherford has created this internet log of information.

Please check back. Updated information will be posted frequently.

Action Alert!

As events unfold in the effort to keep Pontiac Correctional Center open there will be chances for the public to participate. We will be posting these opportunities as they arise. Keep an eye out for our red Action Alert headline.

PCC Closure Time Frame / Tentative schedule

Make the call, send the letter, fax the letter!!

Let Governor Blagojevich know how you feel about the Pontiac Correctional Center closure!

The Pontiac Prison is vital to the economic stability of this area, providing employment to over 550 hard working men and women. Families depend on these well paying jobs and the closure of this facility will certainly create undue hardships for all those involved. Please sign below to voice your support for the future of the Pontiac Correctional Center and all the families who would be devastated by its closure.

Please click here to download and sign the petition.

Advocate for comprehensive review of state’s correctional system

Springfield, Ill. – It’s time to quit playing games with “roving prison closures” and end the current environment of political gamesmanship that surrounds prison site decisions, a group of Illinois lawmakers say. In response, these legislators are advocating for a comprehensive review of Illinois’ correctional facilities.

On May 8, Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson (R-Greenville), Deputy Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), State Senator Dan Rutherford (R-Pontiac), and State Senator Gary Dahl (R-Granville) were joined by State Representatives Frank Mautino (D-Spring Valley), Keith Sommer (R-Morton) and Shane Cultra (R-Onarga), to introduce legislation that would create a Correctional Facilities Panel charged with closely examining the conditions at Illinois’ correctional centers. Until the panel completes the review, a moratorium would be placed on all correctional facility closures. Continue reading »