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Closing Tamms Could Cost Region $33 Million

The planned closure of the Tamms Super Maximum Security Prison is predicted to have a nearly 33-million dollar impact on the region’s economy.Governor Pat Quinn wants to close the state's only super-max prison as a cost saving measure for the Department of Corrections as part of his Fiscal 2013 Budget plan.

A study conducted by the Institute of Government and Public Affairs for the state Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability indicates closing the Tamms prison would result in a combined loss of 338-jobs and more than 11-million dollars in wages.  Closing Tamms would also cost Alexander County and the state its share of more than $200,000  in sales tax and $110,000 in income tax annually.

Alexander County’s unemployment rate was 11.6-percent for the month of February.

Jeff Williams is the Associate Director for Radio and Station Manager for WSIU Radio. Jeff is a native of southern Illinois and has been in broadcasting for 30 years. Contact WSIU Radio at 618-453-6101 or email wsiuradio@wsiu.org
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