A White House analysis just released shows if the feds buy Thomson, 75% of it would be occupied by the Bureau of Prisons. The rest would be run by the Defense Department. That's where Gitmo detainees would be held. If this gets approved, the federal government plans to spend about $40 million modifying the prison and another $40 million a year on capital improvements, which is what they're already spending at Guantanamo Bay. The president's Council of Economic Advisors says 3,000 jobs would be created, and local residents would qualify for nearly half of them.
"Our state is broke. Its been broke for as long as I've been a state legislator. We can't afford to open it. It's time we move on. If the federal government wants to buy it, wants to lease it, wants to utlitize it, let's put it to good use and let it infuse that money into our northwest Illinois economy," says Jim Sacia.
Federal officials toured the prison Saturday. They were joined by Senator Dick Durbin. The Democratic leader then flew to Washington to take part in a crucial vote.