Thomson Prison One Step Closer To Sold

By aaroncynic in News on May 19, 2011 6:00PM

Illinois has reportedly received an offer for the prison in Thomson, Illinois for $165 million. Sen. Mike Jacobs (D-Moline) announced the sale price yesterday via his website. In recorded comments, Jacobs celebrated the sale, saying “The most important thing is how many jobs is this going to create? It'll create thousands of new jobs, high paying jobs. Northwest Illinois desperately needs the positions and the opportunity.” Jacobs also said out that the influx of workers to the prison could help start housing developments and help out local shops.

According to Illinois Statehouse News, the sale price is about $55 million less than its appraised value. Sen. Jacobs pointed out that Illinois now has “$165 million of cuts we don't have to make.” State Rep. Jim Sacia (R-Pecatonica) echoed Jacob's sentiment about jobs the prison would bring to the area, saying “"Let’s get it open. Let’s put people to work. Let’s bring the financial economic impact to our community.”

Even though area legislators are celebrating the price tag, the deal hasn't been completely finalized. The Quad City Times reports Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) has been hammering out a way to reappropriate money to pay for the prison. Spokeswoman Christina Mulka said “He hopes this can be done as soon as possible so that the purchase can move forward and bring with it the jobs and economic development so important to the region's future.”