THOMSON (AP) _ U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says the director of the federal Bureau of Prisons told him the Justice Department is moving forward with plans to open Thomson prison in northwestern Illinois.
The federal government bought the prison from the state of Illinois in October. The Bureau of Prisons plans to use the facility as a maximum-security federal prison to alleviate overcrowding. The state built the prison in 2001 but it was never occupied.
Durbin and U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos met Thursday with Bureau of Prisons Director Charles Samuels. Durbin says the new federal budget should include money for the prison. Durbin and Bustos say they’ll work together to make sure the prison opens and brings economic development to the state.
State News
February 1, 2013
Durbin says Thomas prison opening moving forward
- State News
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Senate Democrats want more school money, not cuts
SPRINGFIELD (AP) — Illinois Senate Democrats want to boost general education funding by $156 million next year, not cut it, key budget negotiators said Friday, but acknowledged the increase would only keep per-student funding level.
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Senate committee to consider gun bill
SPRINGFIELD(AP) — Illinois concealed carry legislation that requires special permission to have a gun in Chicago is scheduled for a Senate committee vote.
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'Fracking' supporters say Ill. bill ready for vote
CHICAGO (AP) — Supporters of high-volume oil and gas drilling said Wednesday that they hope for a quick vote on a bill to regulate the practice in Illinois after reaching agreements on hiring and environmental concerns.
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Cities could restrict places for guns
SPRINGFIELD (AP) — An Illinois Senate proposal to allow the carrying of concealed weapons would let large cities add to the list of places considered off limits to guns.
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Watchdog group says state must address pensions
CHICAGO — Gov. Pat Quinn's proposed state budget is a baby step in the right direction, a watchdog group's analysis said Monday, but the governor may be overstating savings from a recent union contract negotiation and not putting enough toward roughly $9 billion unpaid bills.
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Health centers to get $6M to help enroll uninsured
CHICAGO— More than 40 health centers throughout Illinois will be able to apply for $6 million in federal funding to help people sign up for insurance under the new health care law.
Continued ... - Illinois Senate OKs union-backed pension deal
- Illinois Senate approves union-backed pension plan
- Republicans: Chair's resignation is time to reboot
- Illinois opens grant process for health guides
- Illinois Senate considers 2 state pension options
- Mayor, Ill. lawmakers make case for Chicago casino
- Court gives more time for concealed carry appeal
- Georgia trucker indicted in Illinois trooper death
- Quinn: Local option way to go on concealed carry
- More rain, snow could lead to more flooding
- Illinois investors worried about state economy
- Field Museum receives pieces of Russian meteorite
- Chicago pastors want gun control legislation
- Ill. town cemetery heavily damaged by vandals
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Senate Democrats want more school money, not cuts
