Prison Employees Vow To Fight Closure Plans

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By Eric Shangraw

Story Published: May 6, 2008 at 11:00 AM CST

Story Updated: May 6, 2008 at 11:00 AM CST

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is vowing to fight the closure of the state's prison in Pontiac.

Henry Bayer is executive director of the union's Council 31. He says the union will quote: "fight very hard'' to keep Pontiac open.

Corrections officials say the proposed closure would affect about 550 employees at Pontiac, which has more than 1,600 inmates.

The Illinois Department of Corrections says it wants to close the Pontiac facility instead of Stateville in Joliet -- as had been earlier proposed.

Corrections chief Roger Walker says inmates from Pontiac would be moved to a new jailhouse in Thomson, in Carroll County.

Walker's assistant says Thomson meets the department's need for single cells.

Monday, Jun 9 at 8:08 PM Cynthia wrote ...

Why close Pontiac because Stateville fought and won?? Well Pontiac is going to fight too!! Leave IDOC alone and worry about the freakin pot holes or something!!

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Thursday, May 8 at 6:44 PM jen wrote ...

i agree. my husband is also employed at pontiac and if the gov takes his job well might as well take everything we own and the food out of my kids mouth. maybe they can send inmates to the gov mansion!!! its not being used!

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Tuesday, May 6 at 8:25 PM Michelle wrote ...

The inmates get a place to go What about the 550 workers?? One state job lost is one to many. My husband is employed at Pontiac? Thanks to Rod, I am not sure if my husband will have a job or not. It would be one thing to say we are closing and you still get a job, but DOC says not all workers will have a job. Why not?? Rod has them running short already there should be plenty of room to absorb these employees if his plan goes through. Keep Pontiac open!

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