Future of shuttered Dwight prison still uncertain

DWIGHT - One year after it closed, the future of the former Dwight Correctional Center remains uncertain.

The facility was shuttered in 2013 as a cost-cutting measure. The (Kankakee) Daily Journal reports Illinois' Central Management Services was to take over control of the facility last week.

CMS is expected to conduct an appraisal of the property. If no state agencies are interested in taking it over, a private party could buy the facility.

Kevin McNamara is village administrator in Dwight. He says all utilities have been shut off and it would take "a lot of money" to get the property back into useful shape.

McNamara says most of the people who worked at the prison have found new jobs, but Dwight is still feeling the loss of sales tax revenue.