Rauner vetoes plan to reopen Hardin County prison camp

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Gov. Bruce Rauner has vetoed legislation that would require the reopening of the Hardin County Work Camp in far southern Illinois.

Rauner's veto message Friday said the camp for low-risk prison inmates closed in January because of a fire. He says repair costs were too high.

The House and Senate both approved legislation to reopen the camp in Cave-in-Rock. Advocates say it provided jobs for the area and work-skills programs for inmates.

Rauner says he appreciates the impact on the economy and the loss of jobs caused. But the Republican says requiring it to be reopened would be an unnecessary expenditure. He agrees with the role work camps play in rehabilitation, but he says the facility is "dilapidated."

___

The bill is HB4326.

Online: http://www.ilga.gov