Gov. Pat Quinn’s push to sell the mostly vacant maximum-security prison in Thomson to the federal government has not only generated controversy among Republicans, but it is riddled with irony.

Back in the 1990s, when former Gov. Jim Edgar first announced plans to build the prison in Illinois, he picked a recently shuttered military installation in Savanna in hopes of replacing some of the jobs lost when the depot there was shuttered.

Under Quinn’s plan, the Thomson prison, ironically, would become a military installation, home to even more jobs than were originally lost when Savanna closed.

Then there are those concerns that housing terrorist detainees could paint a big bull’s eye on Illinois.

Among the targets of terror cited by Republican opponents is the nearby nuclear power station in Cordova.

After environmental concerns scrubbed plans for building the prison in Savanna, Edgar inked a deal with a utility company to build on a site near Thomson. It had once been proposed for — you guessed it — a nuclear power station.

The prison in Thomson was finished in 2001, but was never opened because of the economic downturn that hit after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that year. Now, if the proposal moves forward, it could be opened to house terrorists connected to that horrific day.

And, for one last bit of irony, although Edgar got the prison started, it was former Gov. George Ryan who decided not to open it when it was finished.

Ryan, as you know, is now serving time in a federal prison.

Marion goes unchallenged

Where was all the outrage when Marion Mayor Bob Butler and others suggested bringing the Guantanamo Bay prisoners to the federal lock-up in Southern Illinois?

Perhaps it’s because the campaign season wasn’t in full swing when the idea was floated during the summer months.

Don’t forget the budget

While Quinn ignited a firestorm with his plan for Thomson, the state’s budget situation continues to simmer.

Quinn and his Democratic opponent for governor, Comptroller Dan Hynes, both support an income tax increase.

Republican candidates say the budget gap could be reduced through cuts to programs and the elimination of government waste.

An economist with the University of Illinois says the GOP candidates are wrong.

In a report released last week, economist Daniel McMillen of the university’s Institute of Government and Public Affairs, said Illinois needs to face up to the fact that higher taxes are inevitable.

“Budget cuts can’t close a gap this wide and worsening. It’s just not possible with major expenses like pension and Medicaid obligations that you simply can’t reduce,” he notes.

The best solution, he says, would be to raise the state income tax and expand sales-tax receipts through a new tax on services such as haircuts, plumbing repairs and health clubs.

An income-tax increase, approved by the Senate but rejected by the Illinois House last summer, also would ease the state’s over-reliance on sales tax revenues, which lag during recessions, McMillen said.

A sales tax on services could generate more than $7 billion annually, according to the legislature’s fiscal forecasting agency. A proposed 50 percent income-tax increase could bring in $4 billion a year.

In the meantime, the backlog of bills continues to vex those who provide services to the state. About the only thing keeping the state afloat right now is federal stimulus dollars.

Tough choice

If they haven’t already, local lawmakers will be announcing soon who they are supporting in the race for governor.

One Southern Illinois Democrat faces a tough choice.

Democratic state Rep. Brandon Phelps’ first job was with Pat Quinn when Quinn was state treasurer. At the same time, Phelps shares his district office in Harrisburg with a branch office of Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes.

“I’ve got friends on both sides,” Phelps said.

Kurt Erickson is Lee Statehouse Bureau chief. He can be reached at kurt.erickson@lee.net or 217-789-0865.