THOMSON – Two state legislators are asking Gov. Pat Quinn to give Thomson prison to the federal government for the bargain-basement price of $61 million – enough to pay off the vacant lockup's mortgage.

In a news release Thursday, Republican Rep. Rich Morthland of Cordova said he and Jim Sacia of Freeport delivered a letter to Quinn on Tuesday requesting that the prison be given to the Federal Bureau of Prisons "in exchange for their commitment to pay off the remaining mortgage of $61 million and open the facility."

“There is great potential by putting this prison to use, and instead it sits idle,” Morthland said in the release.