Chicago Democrat Leader trying to close Pontiac

House Bill 2721 contains only six months- funding for the maximum security prison. The plan was presented only hours before it was voted on by the Senate.

-This is inappropriate,- said Rutherford. -There was no study done with regards to the funding for Pontiac. The community of Pontiac was made aware that there may only be six months of funding just hours earlier.-

Rutherford challenged Senator Patrick Welch (D-Peru), who also represents employees of the facility, to join him in opposing the closure.

-This community did not get Pontiac Prison for economic development. This community has had this penitentiary for 100 years. They did not go out there and ask to be a prison town. It is inappropriate to not give more notice,- said Rutherford.

He continued on a more personal note: -I have seen high school mates of mine buried who have been killed in the riots at Pontiac. I have had family and friends wounded and scarred in Pontiac Penitentiary while working there.-

Rutherford further expressed outrage that the proposal to close Pontiac evolved in -the dark, secret, clandestine hours.-

The budget amendment was sprung on legislators roughly four hours before the Constitutional deadline to pass a budget and adjourn the Spring Session. Rutherford says this is hardly enough time for lawmakers to consider something so controversial as closing a maximum security prison.

-There was no study done. There has not been an economic analysis of what it takes to open, to close, to transfer, to maintain the penitentiary of Pontiac,- he said. -I think it is insulting for the men and women who slave in the Pontiac Penitentiary and the community that has supported it for 100 years.-

While the Senate Democrats advanced the proposal, the House of Representatives adjourned without hearing the Senate Democrats- proposal. The House, instead, advanced its own budget package, which includes a full year-s funding for Pontiac Correctional Center.