State loses if Pontiac Prison closes

SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois officials are beginning to express concern that the closing of Pontiac Prison and its replacement in Thomson would give a boost to Iowa's economy.

A study by Western Illinois University's Institute for Rural Affairs found the Pontiac area would lose $45 million in economic activity if the prison is closed. The study said the Thomson area, which borders Iowa, would see a $47.5 million boost.

Governor Rod Blagojevich contends transferring most of Pontiac's 1,600 prisoners to the Thomson Correctional Center, a prison built for $145 million in 2001 near the Iowa border, would save money and improve safety for inmates and prison workers.

Dan Long of the General Assembly's Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability said it's not realistic to think no one at Thomson would live or shop across the Mississippi River.