Pantagraph.com | News | Law & Justice center repairs gas line that forced evacuation

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Stinko wrote on Oct 24, 2007 7:19 AM:

" Why is this still here? Cold lunches! Some of you people need to get a life. "

response to cold lunch wrote on Oct 20, 2007 12:35 AM:

" First of all inmates are human too! I could almost bet if one of your loved ones were an inmate you would have a different opinion about their safety and what they eat. Second, you knew what you were getting into when you took the job so what are you crying about. You did everyone a favor when you got out of that profession. Thank God not all C.O's think like you or not one inmate would be safe. The only thing I do agree with is what happened to Olivia (c.o) that not enough coverage in the paper. Most of the C.O.'s at the county are very nice and respectful to the inmates. Have you ever heard you have to give respect to get respect. Try it , It may work! "

RE: To: To re cold lunch or wrote on Oct 19, 2007 2:56 PM:

" Yea, like I have time to drink herbal tea and listen to jazz. I am sure sorry that your job as a C.O. was so bad and am glad that you have moved on. I hope you like your current job. Sounds like you need the herbal tea and jazz so you can relax. Get over it you don't work there any more! "

RE: To: To re cold lunch or wrote on Oct 19, 2007 1:41 PM:

" WELL, YOU'VE JUST DESCRIBED SEVERAL OF THE INDIVIDUALS THAT I USED TO WORK WITH AT THE JAIL. HOW MANY OF MY FELLOW C.O.'S GOT ARRESTED FOR FRAUD, DOMESTIC BATTERY, DUI'S, STEALING FROM THE COUNTY CLERK'S BOND MONEY...ETC..ETC..BUT, THAT DOESN'T DETRACT FROM THE FACT THAT THE INMATES WEAR NOXZEMA WHEN THEY GO TO BED, EXPECT C.O.'S TO ACTUALLY CARE THAT THEY ARE BEHIND BARS, SNIVEL AND WINE ABOUT BEING BUSTED FOR SOMETHING 95% OF THEM DID. AND ONE THING I REALLY DON'T MISS IS THEIR PATHETIC REQUEST SLIPS WRITTEN IN FIRST GRADE LEVEL SPELLING. AND, I REALLY DON'T MISS HEARING "MELINDA, CAN I GET INTO A POD?" YEAH, THE OFFICER MIGHT NOT ALL BE GOOD, BUT THE INMATES ARE FOR WORST. "

RE: To: To re cold lunch or wrote on Oct 19, 2007 1:29 PM:

" I AM OF THE OPINION THAT YOU SHOULD GO SIP SOME HERBAL TEA, LISTEN TO JAZZ ON WGLT AND OTHERWISE THINK THE WORLD INTO A BETTER EXISTENCE; IT'S WORKED SO FAR. "

to cold lunch or wrote on Oct 19, 2007 12:37 PM:

" Okay I will be the first to say that as a former inmate they got the best food in the state when in comes to jail food. Much better than a lot of home cooked meals I have had. We get to play ping pong and watch tv all day and night also. Hey why not go to jail You are up from 530 am in the morning until 1200 at night. You get 3 visits a week. If you keep your room clean and your block clean on Friday you have a chance to win the pizza contest. You get two pizzas and two two liters of pop. Why would you want to be on the street. Thank you Sheriff. "

To: To re cold lunch or wrote on Oct 19, 2007 11:35 AM:

" not all people who work in the jails deserve respect. Some of them lie under oath in personal situations and commit fraud and are deceitful. "

To Jeez wrote on Oct 19, 2007 11:02 AM:

" About the Pro Volleyball, I believe that you will be surprised with the turnout. "

To re cold lunch or wrote on Oct 19, 2007 10:41 AM:

" I am sorry I did not know that all caps was the standard for report writing in the military and law inforcement, it was nice to learn something new. As for your second comment to me I did not say in my post that I felt sorry for the inmates, I was stating what I was told from a county officer in our county when I toured the jail a week ago. I have also never been a victim of a crime and I have a lot of respest for everyone that is currently or has worked in the jails because you are a specil person to put up with all that goes on in our corrections system. There are also many other jobs out there other than C.O. that have thankless administrations they work for. "

to:RE: To RE to cold lunch or wrote on Oct 19, 2007 9:05 AM:

" WELL SAID DORIS "

Questions wrote on Oct 19, 2007 8:34 AM:

" Did they call J.U.L.I.E? If it was marked as gas line or they did not call JULIE will the construction company be charge for the repair and the county cost associated with the evacuation? "

To: Cold Lunch.... wrote on Oct 19, 2007 6:40 AM:

" Just for information; When I was training for a Reserve position a few years back, I spent 40 hours working in the correctional facility. I ate the same food the inmates ate, and I will say, it is much more than "adequate". Especially on Fridays... The fish sandwiches were actually quite good. I know... weird huh? Not everything about my limited 40 yours in jail was cheery and pleasant however, surprisingly enough, the food was actually one of the higher points. "

To: To Cold Lunch Or wrote on Oct 19, 2007 3:21 AM:

" I very much doubt that the federal government gives the state $140,000 per year for one prison bed. Do you have any facts to back that up? "

Thanks to all wrote on Oct 18, 2007 9:00 PM:

" The law enforcement officers making sure traffic was rerouted and everyone got out safely! Job well done! "

Cheese eater wrote on Oct 18, 2007 8:17 PM:

" WHAT???????????????? NO Union bashing???? Is the readership getting soft...er I mean liberal??????// "

The Holy Cost wrote on Oct 18, 2007 8:08 PM:

" I feel bad about invigorating such anger. I just wanted to prove a point. "

RE: To RE to cold lunch or wrote on Oct 18, 2007 8:04 PM:

" FIRST, I ATE WHAT THEY ATE, BECAUSE I LIVED 8 PLUS HOURS A DAY IN THERE WITH THEM. SECOND, IT'S EASY FOR YOU TO SIT BACK AND FEEL SORRY FOR THEM WHEN YOU'VE EITHER HAVE NEVER BEEN A VICTIM OF A CRIME, OR WORKED WATCHING THESE IDIOTS. THIRD, IF YOU HAVE SUCH COMPASSION FOR THEM, APPLY TO BE A C.O. AND GO WORK THERE. WHEN YOU SPEND AT LEAST A YEAR THERE AND YOU'VE HAD YOUR FILL OF THEIR STINK, SCREAMING, CUSSING, HARASSMENT OF STAFF, THREATS AT THE STAFF, BEING SPIT ON, URINE AND FECES THROWN AT YOU, THEN YOU'LL SING A DIFFERENT SONG. WALK ONE DAY IN THOSE C.O.'S SHOES AND YOU'D HAVE A DIFFERENT APPRECIATION FOR THEM. FOURTH, DEAL WITH AN ADMINISTRATION THAT DOESN'T CARE ABOUT YOU, AND IT'S THANKLESS JOB. LASTLY, CAPITAL FONT IS STANDARD IN MILITARY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORT WRITING; I'VE SPENT TOO LONG IN BOTH TO CHANGE. "

Flippy wrote on Oct 18, 2007 7:49 PM:

" The story doesn't mention one way or the other, but does anyone know if the backhoe operator was union? "

BILLY BOB wrote on Oct 18, 2007 6:36 PM:

" Is there any way we can blame this on Tom Hamilton? "

cold meals wrote on Oct 18, 2007 6:19 PM:

" I don't get the big deal. I am not in jail, never have been, and I eat cold meals almost daily. Emery says they will likely get a sandwich, chips and milk. How many thousands of people eat that for lunch and/or dinner every day on their own? Indeed, how many people send their kids to school with that same lunch packed in their bags? Cry me a river that, because of circumstances out of law enforcement's control, the people in jail today have to have - gasp! - no hot meal! Today I had a cold sandwich for lunch, cold cereal for breakfast, and am likely to have a cold salad for dinner. Not having one hot meal for 24 hours hasn't killed anyone that I've heard about. "

TO Concerned wrote on Oct 18, 2007 5:32 PM:

" Your kidding right.... By the way the inmates don't have access to the internet and will not be able to read your bable.. Those inmates are treated better than the Veterans are. Its should be a cold meal everyday! "

Not a bad idea wrote on Oct 18, 2007 5:32 PM:

" We should hold court in the coliseum, gladiator style. Two men enter..... "

To RE to cold lunch or wrote on Oct 18, 2007 4:49 PM:

" Sounds like you have a chip on your shoulder. Gee sorry there was no need to yell at us. I'm not saying that they don't deserve bread and water, but put yourself in their shoes, how would you like to eat the meals they do. "

To: Jeez... wrote on Oct 18, 2007 4:33 PM:

" I agree with you about the jokes. And, Prairie Thunder games are awesome. But, Pro Volleyball? Gotta believe you'll be hearin' the crickets at those things. "

To: Bob wrote on Oct 18, 2007 2:38 PM:

" I can't wait to see what happens when I have my child support hearing. My ex-husband has done nothing but lie under oath for almost two years. "

to: to its about time wrote on Oct 18, 2007 2:31 PM:

" I'm not a dude; rather a 'dudette' ... thx you very much. And perhaps you should broaden your horizons and attend an event at the Coliseum. There are a lot of fun things to do there. "

Gripe wrote on Oct 18, 2007 2:05 PM:

" Construction crews are always breaking stuff- they are all pretty careless and ham-fisted in their approach. But as long as they're all happy, thats what matters! "

RE: To: Cold Lunch Or wrote on Oct 18, 2007 2:01 PM:

" I USED TO BE A C.O. AT THE MCLEAN COUNTY "HOTEL” AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE INMATES DO DESERVE BREAD AND WATER. MCLEAN COUNTY TREATS THEM TOO GOOD IF YOU ASK ME. FORMER S.I. DERICK LOVE STARTED THE WHOLE BUTT KISSING OF THE INMATES AND EVEN ADMITTED THAT AT THE ORIETNATION MEETING. ANY TIME THE INMATES CRIED, DERICK WAS THERE LISTENING TO THEM. TOM PHARES, IN MY OPINION, DIDN'T DO MUCH BETTER EITHER. GREG ALLEN, THE CURRENT S.I., IN MY OPINION WAS AFRAID OF THE INMATES EVER SINCE HE WAS A YOUNG C.O. SHERIFF EMERY SAID HE'S CHANGE HOW THE JAIL OPPERATES, YET HAS DONE NOTHING TO STEM ANYTHING. ANOTHER ATTACK IS AROUND THE BEND, YET NOTHING, FROM WHAT I AM TOLD, IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT. IN MY OPINION, THE PANTAGRAPH DID A POOR INVESTIGATION INTO THE C.O. THAT WAS ATTACKED TWO YEARS AGO, AND JUST LET THE STORY DIE. MCLEAN COUNTY CHOOSES WEAKLINGS FOR THE OFFICE OF SHERIFF. THEY WANT PEOPLE TO MAKE THEM FEEL GOOD, NOT TO TELL THEM THE TRUTH AND TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. THOSE INMATES THINK THEY RUN THE JAIL, AND THEY DO. "

To Typical wrote on Oct 18, 2007 2:00 PM:

" Ahaha, thank you. That was class. "

Concerned wrote on Oct 18, 2007 2:00 PM:

" Everyone is evacuated except the inmates. This is obsurd, they are people too. Then, on top of that, they can't have a catered hot meal, but have to eat cold sandwiches. One catered meal a year is not going to hurt anyone. 90 percent of the inmates have not even been convicted of anything yet, just awaiting trial and they are being punished inhumanely. "

Buster wrote on Oct 18, 2007 1:25 PM:

" Guess the construction crew should have called JULIE!! "

to cold lunch and or wrote on Oct 18, 2007 1:15 PM:

" I do agree with you that more should be spent on students than on prisoners food, but after a tour or our local jail, I was told the STATE MANDATES that they have one hot meal a day. "

To Cold Lunch Or wrote on Oct 18, 2007 1:09 PM:

" you have not a clue of what you are talking about. First of all the federal government kicks in one dollar for every dollar the state spends on prisoners. For one bed in a state prison for 60 days the federal government gives the state of Illinois $27,000.00. That same bed is rolled over 5 times in one year which means the state dept. of corrections gets $140,000.00 for one bed, in one prison per year. If you check the IDOC website it will tell you how much it costs each prison per year to house an inmate. It comes nowhere near 40K. It is more like $18K. McClean County has people in jail right now because they can not post a $100 cash bond. They choose to have the jail filled at all times. You really should check your facts before making a fool of yourself in a post. "

to its about time wrote on Oct 18, 2007 1:03 PM:

" you have it all wrong dude. The people kicking and screaming are the trash that shoved it down our throats. Now we leave it to hot shots like you to attend events there and spend your money. I cant wait until a surcharge per ticket is put on every ticket sold for an event to help offset the losses of the place. Then we will see how many events you attend. "

To: Cold Lunch wrote on Oct 18, 2007 12:57 PM:

" The Sheriff of Maricopa County AZ did just that. The inmates live outside in tents, they're uniform is all pink, their meals are typically a slice of bologna, two pieces of bread, chips, an apple or orange and bottle of water. He has a fairly low recidicism rate and saves the taxpayers a bunch of money on food service, laundry and facilities. "

one who knows wrote on Oct 18, 2007 12:51 PM:

" Actually when the explosion happened in 2003, half of the court was moved out to Hershey. Because of the large volume of files for traffic, criminal and small claims, court was held on the fifth floor of the L & J. Family and civil cases were the only ones that were moved to Hershey. "

Katy wrote on Oct 18, 2007 12:51 PM:

" I absolutely loved the Bloomington-Normal humor about the Coliseum. I got a great deal of laughter out of all the comments! Especially: To Bob wrote on Oct 18, 2007 10:29 AM: " Your comments were apparently not censored, but should have been. Man that was funny! Thanks for providing me with some great entertainment! "

"oh those poor inmates" wrote on Oct 18, 2007 12:49 PM:

" Students are the future. Inmates made the wrong decisions and ruined their chance at a good future. You are as bad as the Chicago Governor ~ taking money away from where it needs to go. "

cold lunch and or wrote on Oct 18, 2007 12:41 PM:

" cold lunch and or supper those poor inmates .they should be on bread and water .they dont deserve to have hot meals lets start cutting back on prisoners comforts .it takes about 40 thousand dollars year to hhouse a prisoner .and we spend about 4 thousand dollars a year on students .does anyone besides me think this is wrong and should be reversed "

Actually the explosion wrote on Oct 18, 2007 12:37 PM:

" occurred on Fathers Day in 2003 at about 9 or 10am. inmates were sent out to other facilities that day and after a week or so a temporary "court house" was set up at the old State Farm claims office on Hershey. "

To:David Proeber wrote on Oct 18, 2007 12:35 PM:

" Good thing they did away with those dangerous magnesium flash powder cameras. "

Spooky wrote on Oct 18, 2007 12:27 PM:

" I bet a coworker this blog would be populated with moronic comments regarding the coliseum. Appreciate you people providing me lunch! "

The Holy Cost wrote on Oct 18, 2007 12:22 PM:

" Of running the law and justice center. Jail’s 209 inmates will not be evacuated. "

Bloomington Resident wrote on Oct 18, 2007 12:21 PM:

" Bloomington has a Coliseum??? Did not know that. They should advertise it. "

Jeez.... wrote on Oct 18, 2007 12:11 PM:

" The coliseum jokes are getting old. The place is moving in the right direction. I went to the Last Comic Standing show on Sunday and loved it. Gerry Dee was hilarious. The Extreme sold out nearly every game and Prarie Thunder hockey is going to be even bigger this year with the extra roster spot inserted for an "enforcer". They have Pro Volleyball coming, Bob Dylan (yeah he is in his later years, but the concert will still be a hit), and the kids shows are doing well. The place will be bringing in money in a few years and you will have to start to find something else to complain about. "

good grief... wrote on Oct 18, 2007 12:09 PM:

" At least with the concession stands open, the arena is bound to make some money. "

Ummm wrote on Oct 18, 2007 12:08 PM:

" They better be charging for those concessions...no wonder we're not making any money! "

wjbc is wrote on Oct 18, 2007 12:04 PM:

" reporting that the L&J is closed for the day. Pantagraph says open at one. which is it? "

CHARGE EM!! wrote on Oct 18, 2007 11:37 AM:

" Charge them to enter the Colliseum. You have to pay for that thing somehow. "

..::mizer::.. wrote on Oct 18, 2007 11:29 AM:

" Hey at least the Coliseum was used for something other than a nursing home retreat ie: Ted Nugent concert!!! "

Typical wrote on Oct 18, 2007 11:24 AM:

" The gas leak was on the west side of the building. You would never have a leak on the east side. It was probably caused by thugs from Chicago. "

Boogaloo Ray wrote on Oct 18, 2007 11:08 AM:

" All the so-called clever jokes, comments, whatever, about the Coliseum were extremely stale a year ago. Give it a rest already, you're not funny. "

it's about time... wrote on Oct 18, 2007 11:04 AM:

" you negative posters quite dissin' the Coliseum. It's here, it's staying ... get used to it. Y'all sound like a bunch of spoiled rotten kids ..."if I can't have my way, I'll kick & scream on the floor!!" Poor babies ... NOT!! I was there Sunday night for the Last Comic Standing Tour and loved it. Hockey starts Friday the 26th ... can't wait. "

Gripe wrote on Oct 18, 2007 10:44 AM:

" A few years ago there was an EXPLOSION and a fire, I thought- but nobody hurt because it happened very late in the deep dark nighttime "

Birdie wrote on Oct 18, 2007 10:35 AM:

" Flew out of there like a bat out of hell. "

To Bob wrote on Oct 18, 2007 10:29 AM:

" Your comments were apparently not censored, but should have been. "

The coliseum... wrote on Oct 18, 2007 10:26 AM:

" ....hasn't seen this much activity since it was first built! "

to bob wrote on Oct 18, 2007 10:15 AM:

" where do we send the bill?? "

January 1st - 2008 wrote on Oct 18, 2007 10:14 AM:

" Thank heaven's nobody was smoking at the time of this leak. I wonder what would have happened? "

dont worry wrote on Oct 18, 2007 10:12 AM:

" the inmates like the gas.. wonder how many lawsuits this will bring? oh no i am feeling ill.. "

Bob wrote on Oct 18, 2007 10:10 AM:

" did my comments get censored? G-d blew the transformer. Jesus Christ saved them. Look at false witness in kjv of bible. "

oops, wrote on Oct 18, 2007 10:09 AM:

" After jokingly panning Lexington, this happens! I still have gas-x for all!! hahaha. "

Ed wrote on Oct 18, 2007 10:08 AM:

" Thw last time the law and justice was displaced was due to a fire a few years ago. "

Court Clerk wrote on Oct 18, 2007 10:02 AM:

" Yes they were evacuated for several months to the State Farm Claims Service Center on Hershey. I think the Court House had a fire. "

bob wrote on Oct 18, 2007 9:59 AM:

" Indeed last time it was a transformer. About two hours before the transformer blew I prayed to Jesus Christ to forgive the women who were false witness who lied under oath to a jury. I was convicted. There is a lot about what god will do to a false witness in the bible. This was a big deal god blew the transformer! "

Meter Maids Hurry wrote on Oct 18, 2007 9:58 AM:

" Hurry and you can give out MORE tickets to all the cars that are stuck and cant be moved from the road blocks. HURRY HURRY !! "

to Finally!! wrote on Oct 18, 2007 9:49 AM:

" that was due to a fire "

to Finally!! wrote on Oct 18, 2007 9:42 AM:

" They had a fire there on a Sunday approx 3, 4 yrs ago. Maybe that was it. "

Found a way to fill it. wrote on Oct 18, 2007 9:41 AM:

" Well here is a way to fill the U.S. Cellular Coliseum. Hit a gas main at the Law & justice center and evacuate everyone to the Coliseum. Call Judy she will the thrilled!!! "

dont worry wrote on Oct 18, 2007 9:39 AM:

" My wife was there and she told me everyone was evacuated safely and theya re at the corn palace at the colisium "

At Least wrote on Oct 18, 2007 9:38 AM:

" The Coliseum is being USED!!!!!! WaaaHaaaHaaaa!!! "

jrt wrote on Oct 18, 2007 9:36 AM:

" Mclean cnty health dept also evaccuated. It was a challenge for the parents with little kids facing the winds, however collosium people are kind enough to allow these people let in. I am there right now. "

well wrote on Oct 18, 2007 9:36 AM:

" atleast it, the Coliseum, is being used for something constructive. "

Bluegrass American wrote on Oct 18, 2007 9:36 AM:

" Now all you good folks can know for sure that the U.S. Cellular Coliseum has a purpose. "

Finally!! wrote on Oct 18, 2007 9:28 AM:

" A good use for the Coliseum. Just kidding. Didn't this happen a long time ago too? I vaguely remember the Law and Justice Center having to be evacuated once before. "

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