Ill. prisons chief: no closings yet

SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois' new corrections chief says the state's budget situation hasn't prompted officials to make plans for prison closings.

Department of Corrections Director Michael Randle told The (Bloomington) Pantagraph Wednesday that he knows of no plans to close any prisons. Still, Randle says the option isn't off the table.

The Chicago native says the state's unresolved budget is keeping him from moving forward on plans to open the maximum-security Thomson Correctional Center in western Illinois. Gov. Pat Quinn and legislators have agreed to return to Springfield next week in an attempt to come to a resolution.

Ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich, while in office, attempted to save money by targeting at least two prisons for closure.