THOMSON, Ill. —
A date has been set for the state of Illinois to auction of the Thomson Correctional Facility, a prison once considered to be the new home for Guantanamo Bay detainees.
While that plan was set aside several months ago, the Federal Bureau of Prisons is still interested in acquiring the prison to alleviate overcrowding in other federal prisons.
The federal government will have its chance to purchase the prison at 10 a.m. Dec. 21 in downtown Chicago, according to Gov. Pat Quinn’s office.
But there are still some problems to solve before the auction date.
The $237 million President Barack Obama’s administration requested for the prison has been tied up by efforts to stall the passing of the fiscal year 2011 budget.
Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois has been working to get the money for the sale via an omnibus spending bill, which could be on Obama’s desk awaiting his signature later this month.
In the meantime, state officials say they are moving forward with the sale.
“We are and will continue taking all statutory steps to sell Thomson to the federal government,” Grant Klinzman, a spokesman for Quinn’s office, said. “This process is still moving forward, and the federal government is also moving forward with its various steps.”
The minimum bid required for the prison is roughly $220 million.
Local News
Thomson prison to be auctioned this month
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