Positives outweigh negatives for Thomson
Enough of the hyperbole. Let’s talk turkey about Thomson.
From our perspective, if the 1,800-bed prison is transformed into detention center for about 100 Guantanamo Bay terror suspects and a lockup for federal inmates, the positives far outweigh the negatives.
An unused prison would spring to life.
Hundreds of good-paying jobs and millions of dollars in spending would rejuvenate a weakened local economy.
The state would get an infusion of cash.
At the same time, detainees would not be allowed to have visitors, which would discourage the arrival of terrorist sympathizers to the region.
Security would be ramped up to ensure that detainees stay put and order is maintained.
Even if military tribunals take place in Thomson, look at the bright side: Judges, lawyers and court personnel have got to eat, sleep and buy fuel somewhere. Their presence could further benefit the local economy.
It would have been nice to have witnessed a reasoned discussion on the proposal’s merits from the get-go, and not see the distress generated as word of the plan dribbled out last weekend.
On one side, possibly exaggerated claims of jobs (up to 3,250) were put forth, after which skeptical Carroll County residents could only roll their eyes. They’ve heard similar promises before.
On the other, a suburban Chicago critic said the proposal would “move terrorists into our neighborhoods.” Sorry, we missed that portion of the plan.
A fuller, more detailed initial announcement would have benefited everyone.
As the news sank in, some reasoned comments came forth.
For example, state Sen. Tim Bivins, R-Dixon, asked whether the state could lease, rather than sell, the prison to the federal government, so as to keep open the possibility of using it later to alleviate Illinois’ prison overcrowding. He also proposed directing any proceeds from Thomson for use in the state prison system.
Also, the Illinois Republican congressional delegation wrote a letter to Gov. Pat Quinn that posed 33 questions regarding cost, security and legal issues.
The seven House members asked whether Thomson prison has the required Class 3 medical facility for detainees, and if not, how the health care of detainees would be handled.
They asked how many protesters would be expected from this country and around the world, and how would they be handled.
With up to 1,500 troops, and presumably their spouses and children, coming to Thomson to guard the detainees, the lawmakers also wanted to know whether the West Carroll School District could handle the influx, where the money to do so would come from, and whether the school district could tax the guards’ housing.
These aren’t bad questions. In fact, some were inspired by those posed by then-Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, now President Barack Obama’s secretary of Health and Human Services, when a proposal was floated in January to move Gitmo detainees to Fort Leavenworth.
While questions remain, there appears to be no logical downside to rebranding Thomson prison for a new use.
Still, local folks shouldn’t get their hopes up too high. Save your cheers until the deal is finalized, the jobs are filled, the prisoners are in their cells, and Village President Jerry Hebeler snips that grand-opening ribbon.
