Republicans Call For Bipartisan Committee To Deliberate Over Housing Gitmo Detainees In Illinois

By Anna Deem in News on Nov 28, 2009 10:00PM

The last time we checked in with the Gitmo situation almost two weeks ago, the story was drawing attention both nationally and locally. In Illinois, local politicians were arguing back and forth over the possible transfer of Guantanamo Bay detainees to the Thomson Correctional Center in Thompson, Illinois. On Friday, House Republicans decided to make their concerns heard by calling for a bipartisan committee to study the potential sale of the northwest prison.

The request was spearheaded by House Republican Leader, Tom Cross of Oswego, who wrote a letter about fast-tracking public hearings for the Thomson Correctional Center sale. Cross called upon House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, to help him put together a bipartisan committee that would discuss topics such as safety, security, how many jobs would be created, and how much the federal government would pay Illinois for the prison. Nevertheless, Cross' request was put on hold when Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said on Friday that hearings would be unproductive until the federal government submits a firm proposal and Gov. Pat Quinn submits a plan.

In addition to Cross, many Republicans also oppose housing terrorism suspects in the Thomson Correctional Center, seizing the controversial topic as a campaign issue for next year's elections. [Chicago Tribune]