With little publicity, the Illinois State Supreme Court ruled that Governor Quinn can now proceed with the closing of several under-utilized prisons in the State of Illinois, saving millions of dollars. The closings had originally been set for October 31st, but had been delayed by an Alexander County judge's preliminary injunction blocking the move, but the Supreme Court ordered that the injunction be dissolved..
On the chopping block is the supermax prison, Tamms, as well as Dwight Correctional Center for Women, and two juvenile justice centers in Joliet and Murphysboro.
Predictably, the union representing employee at these facilities raised the issue of public and guard safety, stating that overcrowding could put employees at risk There was no mention of prisoner safety in the statements of the union, that, understandably, is trying to preserve the jobs of its membership. Left unsaid is the fact that the Illinois prisoner population is dropping quickly now that previously scuttled reforms aimed at reducing that population have also been quietly reinstated. The simple fact is that State of Illinois finances are in a shambles, and the closing of underused or vacant facilities is the responsible thing to do.
