Illinois Sen. Chuck Weaver, R-Peoria, testifies during a Legislative Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability meeting on whether Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner should close the Illinois Youth Center in Kewanee, Ill., at the Illinois State Capitol Tuesday, May 3, 2016, in Springfield, Ill. The bipartisan group of legislators recommended against the plan to close the youth correctional facility. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
The Associated Press
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A spokeswoman for Bruce Rauner says the Illinois governor is studying new uses for the Kewanee youth detention center after it closes.
A bipartisan legislative oversight panel voted Tuesday to oppose closing the 15-year-old facility. If closed, some want it used to house elderly adult inmates. Others want to ensure it won't be left abandoned and deteriorating.
Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly says the administration is exploring "alternative uses" including whether it might suit the Corrections Department.
Rauner wants to close Kewanee because there are 420 youthful offenders in a system with 1,000 beds.
Peoria Republican state Sen. Chuck Weaver and Democratic state Rep. Mike Smiddy from Hillsdale argued Kewanee is the newest of youth centers and the most efficient to operate.
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Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability: http://cgfa.ilga.gov/
Illinois Rep. Donald Moffitt, R-Galesburg, asks questions during a Legislative Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability meeting on whether Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner should close the Illinois Youth Center in Kewanee, Ill., while at the Illinois State Capitol Tuesday, May 3, 2016, in Springfield, Ill. The bipartisan group of legislators recommended against the plan to close the youth correctional facility. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
The Associated Press
Illinois Rep. Donald Moffitt, R-Galesburg, ask questions during a Legislative Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability meeting on whether Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner should close the Illinois Youth Center in Kewanee, Ill., while at the Illinois State Capitol Tuesday, May 3, 2016, in Springfield, Ill. The bipartisan group of legislators recommended against the plan to close the youth correctional facility. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
The Associated Press
Rep. Elaine Nekritz, D-Buffalo Grove, asks questions during a Legislative Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability meeting on whether Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner should close the Illinois Youth Center in Kewanee, Ill., at the Illinois State Capitol Tuesday, May 3, 2016, in Springfield, Ill. The bipartisan group of legislators recommended against the plan to close the youth correctional facility. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
The Associated Press
Illinois Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, ask questions during a Legislative Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability meeting on whether Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner should close the Illinois Youth Center in Kewanee, Ill., at the Illinois State Capitol Tuesday, May 3, 2016, in Springfield, Ill. The bipartisan group of legislators recommended against the plan to close the youth correctional facility. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
The Associated Press
FILE - This Feb. 12, 2016 file photo shows the youth detention center in Kewanee, Ill. On Tuesday, May 3, 2016, a bipartisan legislative oversight panel voted against Gov. Bruce Rauner's plan to close the youth center, which opened in 2001. (Mike Berry/Star Courier via AP) NO SALES, MANDATORY CREDIT
The Associated Press
Illinois Sen. Pamela J. Althoff, R-McHenry, left, and Illinois Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, right, talk during a Legislative Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability meeting on whether Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner should close the Illinois Youth Center in Kewanee, Ill., at the Illinois State Capitol Tuesday, May 3, 2016, in Springfield, Ill. The bipartisan group of legislators recommended against the plan to close the youth correctional facility. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
The Associated Press