Gitmo / Thomson, IL Latest
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Updated: 7:49 PM Nov 15, 2009
Gitmo / Thomson, IL Latest
The tiny town of Thomson, located about 70 miles west of Rockford in Carroll County, is gaining White House attention for a prison that has sat mostly empty for nearly a decade.
Posted: 7:41 PM Nov 15, 2009
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Federal authorities will visit the Thomson Correctional Center tomorrow to decide whether it's fit to handle prisoners from Guantanamo Bay. The correctional facility was built in 2001, but budget constraints prevented it from becoming fully operational. And to the town of 600, it's become a symbol of jobs that were never created.
Here's a little more info about the Thomson Correctional Center. It was built under the instruction of Governor George Ryan. It has a 1600 cell maximum security unit and a minimum security unit for 200, which is being used at this time. It could house about 100 Gitmo prisoners along with other in federal custody. And if Thomson is picked for this project, the governor says about 3,000 jobs would be created.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Shawn Location: Winnebago on Nov 16, 2009 at 06:19 AM

Certainly, the dollar signs in everyones eyes are a little blinding to the real situation here... lets not forget that these terrorists are not just prisoners but men with global connections and global influence. Do we want the world pin-pointing IL? Does it really make sense that bringing terrorists INTO the United States is BETTER for national security? GITMO is in place for a reason, leave it. Gov Quinn, Sens Durbin and Burris please dont sell my family's security for a few dollars or a few jobs.
Posted by: David Location: Rockford on Nov 16, 2009 at 06:13 AM

Why are we holding them if they have not been charged or convicted? Release them to their home country and if they return to terrorist activities, eliminate them.
Posted by: Scott Location: Freeport,Illinois on Nov 15, 2009 at 10:16 PM

I feel that its a risky but great idea, the Thompson prison has sat empty for almost 10 years and this will create jobs and pay off our deficit all at the same time, I appllaud Governor Quinn for supporting this risky but great idea and these fear mongers need to stop by saying this will create terroist's threat's on the state of Illinois because it wouldn't put us any more at risk than all 50 states are.
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