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" Meh . . . you are one funny jester to the village idiot's court. As for the other people who are for the closure . . . maybe you need to do a little more homework and less radical liberal blabbering. Here is your first assignment: Go to the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability's web site and watch the testimony. Then come back here and see if you make the same ridiculous comments. Geez, Meh and all these others are the reason why this state is the way it is. "

" To Venture Bros.-
For your information, the majority of residents in Livingston County vote republican. As long as Chicago is voting democratic this state will always be democratic. The vote down state really does not matter anymore. "

" It seems that some people haven't been paying attention. When considering that money will go to Iowa, it is NOT in the best financial interest of the state to close Pontiac and open Thompson. AND, if opening Thompson must be done on the backs of a different prison, then Stateville is where we should look. It has been said over and over that there is prison overcrowding throughout the state, meaning that we need another institution, not one less. Doesn't anyone realize that a shortage of beds will mean a difference in arrests for parole violations (this is already happening) and sentencing. Think about how THAT will effect our "best interests". A great way to save money would be to just let all prisoners go home and no longer incarcerate. Just think of the taxpayer savings. "

" Blago threatened the same thing when aramark wanted to privatize dietary services for IDOC. It is all a card game that he is playing, A game he learned from the Chicago machine. If he cant get his way he will make an appauling threat to take out State parks and DCFS. The public will outcry with petitions with thousands of signatures and the do gooders of the world will pressure to keep the parks and services and IDOC will lose out again. A sad game that has played out over and over in this history of Illinois politics. I hope and pray for my former Brother and Sister IDOC workers that all will come out well for them and the City of Pontiac. But in the end you cant trust a politician from Chicago regardless of thier political affiliation "

" Are any of you the same people that are whining about state parks and tourist traps being closed? That would make since, you have no problems with hurting families, disrupting their lives, hurting an entire county and even some other economies and yes, the lives of the inmates families in a lot of cases. As far as what would be best foe the state, again some of you just can't grasp the concept of closing Statesville would save more money than closing Pontiac. Several million actually. Also, as one poster said Joliet can absorb the lost much better than Pontiac but that doesn't bother any of you either. Personally, I don't think any should close at this time. Why not take the state inmates out of Chicago jails and put them in Thomson? How about the southern areas where the state is spending millions renting building to house state inmates and how about taking the prison overflow and putting them in Thomson. People, the prisons are overcrowded. I know for FACT your taxes are going to pay for injuries caused by that overcrowding and mandated overtime. I know some democrats aren’t concerned with facts but most are. "

" To JD: We have not been the government for a long time and THAT IS THE PROBLEM! When are enough people going to get it through their heads that "our government" consists of wealthy lawyers that pad their own pockets and the pockets of their supporters? Blago is only concerned with his own agenda and that is Chicago. He refuses to even acknowledge that there is a population outside of Chicago. Until we get rid of all of the existing politicians nationwide, we will continue to have the same old problems. Vote against all incumbents in all elections! We need a REAL change! "

" If we are looking at the best interest of the state, then we won't close any prisons. lf we are just looking to save money, then we'll close Stateville where we can save over 30 million dollars in comparison to Pontiac where we'd save 3.9 million. If we want to let the Governor finish out his little fit, we'll close PCC. "

" This really isn't a "should Pontiac close or shouldn't it?" problem. The problem started when the brain surgeons in Springfield built Thompson prison but never appropriated the money to open it. That was another failure by the state that we are now all paying for. ALL the prisons should be open and running right now, but the state failed us all. Basically Pontiac prison as well as all the other facilities and programs that are slated for the chopping block are where they are because of the "peeing" match that's going on in Springfield right now over the budget. The problem is nobody wants to flinch, so we all stand to lose big time for the games they're playing. Get off Pontiac and look at the core issue. The state is failing us AGAIN. "

" I also wonder if we all have the interest of the entire state in mind. If it is in the best interest of the entire state and will save money for all including everyones tax dollars then it does not make sense to keep the prison open for saving a few people in Pontiac the hardship. Some times for the best interest for the majority of people others have to sacrifice. "

" the government shuts down facilities every now and then.the air force base at shanoot or how ever you spell it,LDC in lincoln.companies lay off and close doors too.it happens and changes lives.it happened to me so i know first hand.i've been in 5 factories,been laid off 5 times well 3 of them just left town.that's life,that's the way it is,you all will just have to get over it.i don't mean to sound insensitive but i'm to old and broke down to start over too.you'll just have to adjust.you'll get by without the prison.tear it out and put something useful there.like a mall or race track,or amusement park.a prison seems kinda depressing anyway. "

" It is sad that so many people talk when they should be quit. The state of Illinois has spent millions of dollars at the correctional center in Pontiac. The facility is in good, above average shape. To shutter it , in order to open a prison that was built under former gov Ryan is a waste of tax payers money. The only gov. to close any state facilites before, was your old pal G. Ryan. The dept of corrections has already said that it runs the dept with 130% over capacity on population. They should have opened Thomson prison when the completed it. The dept of correction needs both prisons, dont let them fool you. Obama all the way. "

" to justaperson and see it for what it is, if either of you, as well as anyone else who thinks like you, knew what you were talking about, you would know that the Stateville Correctional Center in Joliet is in much worse shape than Pontiac and closing it would save more money that closing Pontiac. In addition, Joliet would be able to cope much better than Pontiac by that type of economic loss. Furthermore it appears to me that some of you people out there now want to start believeing what the Blagojevich administration is telling you. Their dollar numbers concerning Pontiac are a complete fabrication that are not anywhere close to the actual costs of "fixing" the facility, $138,000 to fix a tower? The tower and everything in it didn't cost $138,000. 4 of the buildings Blago. and Walker said needed to be fixed are not even being used by employees, and have NEVER been used to house inmates. It would make more sense and be allot cheaper to just tear them down the way they did the old Chapel in 2001. "

" If you people are truly wanting something closed to save money...why aren't you shouting to close Stateville which would save the state over 30 million dollars instead of a measly 3.9 million? I don't think you care if the state saves money....you just have a grudge against, Pontiac, or Livingston County, or maybe even PCC. "

" It also amuses me that Republicans want to keep this prison open so badly. I thought you guys were totally opposed to socialism AKA government services. But oh yeah, John McCain moment - Republicans only call it socialism when they are opposed to the particular government service! "

" LOL at all the Republicans who believe that things were peaches and cream until Blago took over. He inherited a huge mess from REPUBLICAN George Ryan. Blago hasn't been doing a good job, but its not like he originated the problem. Credit where credit is due, people! "

" Where do you Pontiac folks get off expecting that there's an obligation to keep that prison open???? What is the objective and purpose of that prison??? It is to incarcerate and house a convicted criminal element. THAT is what the prison was put there for. It was NOT placed there to be a sole benefit for the community and residents of Pontiac. That may indeed be a side-benefit, however quit whining and acting like ol' Rod-o-dork has an obligation to keep that thing open just for you. "

" I don't think this is a republican or a democrat issue, It's a Blagojevich issue. If the final say is up to him, Pontiac you are gonna be nailed, your done. Blago is an idiot. I want to know where all the families are to go for good family time now that the parks shut down on Nov. 1, Can I get a refund on my fishing permit now that I can't fish in my local lake? "

" I say close the prison. If the people of Pontiac can't figure out how to get along without it, then they are rubes.

Don't blame the goverment for your troubles. YOU are the goverment.

Take responsibility for your own lives. "

" Sometimes a few have to sacrifice for the greater good. The Governor has a budget to keep, and keeping an outdated facility open is not what's in the best interest of the state. "

" People whine about their taxes, then whine even more when it is a tax-supported operation in their neighborhood that is closing. Lets stop spending Illinois residents'hard-earned $$$ of outdated buildings llike the Pontiac prison. "

" To Pontiac resident : the problem is..the election isnt tomorrow..it was 2 years ago and the majority voted for democrat Rod Blagojevich..so youre stuck with him AND his capricious liberal policies until the NEXT election in Nov. 2010... Do youreslf, your family, your future and the ones you love a favour.. next time VOTE REPUBLICAN in Illinois for a change. "

" "The state says the closing would save about $3.6 million, but a separate study shows a projected loss of $54 million."

That needs some explaining. "

" I am willing to wager that many do not know what they will do, are the same ones that stood behind the 'adapt or die' mentality when the smoking ban went into effect. The more we allow the government to regulate us, the more the government will regulate us. Be it regulation through legislation or employment, we allow the government to get away with murder, because we continue to elect the same old parties, doing the same old things, and reward them by re-electing them because they promised us some candy imediately prior to the election. "

" If the election for governor was today, Blagojevich would loose by a land slide and we would be far better off but, let's remember we need to refurbish both the house and senate also, down in Springfield. We've had enough of this constant battle between the democrats and themselves. I've always considered myself an independant but, democrats give us no choices. "

" Democrats always say they are the peoples choice and for the working person. Whenever you have Democrats in office you get closures, lay offs and more tazes. Bush has made alot of mistakes.......but to make new ones with Obama,Biden and other Dems up for Senate and House positions is really taking us to a place we do not want to be. I think both political parties are out of touch and no longer care about the constitution or regular people. "