Sangamon Sun

Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) announced in March their intention to tear down and rebuild two prisons in poor conditions: Stateville Correctional Center for men in Crest Hill outside of Joliet, and the Logan Correctional Center (LCC) for women outside of Lincoln.

The initial announcement did not immediately specify the fate of LCC, stating only that Stateville would be rebuilt at its current location and that plans for LCC were still being determined.

In April, a new IDOC report indicated the state's preference is to move the women's prison from outside Lincoln to Crest Hill, effectively turning the Stateville prison into a multifunctional campus.

Close to 500 workers at Logan Correctional Center now fear losing their jobs. The city of Lincoln, with a population of 13,000 and already facing economic challenges due to the recent closures of Lincoln Christian University and Lincoln College, could lose another major employer. Such a loss would significantly impact the community.

On "Have All Voted Who Wish," State Representative Bill Hauter of Morton, who represents the Lincoln area, and State Representative CD Davidsmeyer of Murrayville, co-chair of the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, discussed the possibilities and profound effects this move could have on the community.

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