SPRINGFIELD - Closing Pontiac Correctional Center and fully opening the mostly unused lockup in Thomson could give a boost to the state's economy. The state of Iowa, that is. | Pontiac, Livingston Co. hope for big turnout at hearing

That's the concern among some Illinois officials who have asked analysts to find out just how much Iowa might benefit if Gov. Rod Blagojevich's proposed prison shuffle moves forward.

Blagojevich announced in May that he wants to close the maximum-security prison in Pontiac in order to move inmates and jobs to the prison north of the Quad Cities. The report says the shakeup would save Illinois taxpayers $4 million.

A study by Western Illinois University's Institute for Rural Affairs, commissioned by the Illinois Department of Corrections, found that the Pontiac area would lose $45 million in economic activity if the prison is closed.

By contrast, the study said the Thomson area, which borders Iowa, would see a $47.5 million boost.

The original study, however, didn't say how much of that increase might be seen in Iowa. For example, some of the 600-plus workers who would work at Thomson could purchase houses in Clinton, Iowa.

Now, researchers are attempting to pin down how much economic benefit would flow into the Hawkeye State if Blagojevich presses forward.

Dan Long, director of the General Assembly's Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, which has asked for the additional information on Iowa, said it's not realistic to think no one at the prison would live or shop across the Mississippi River,

"All of the population centers near it are across the river," Long said.

In Clinton, an informal survey of real estate agents found them fielding only a handful of inquiries from potential prison workers.

But, they said if the plan goes through, it would be expected that some prison employees would seek housing in Clinton, which is the closest, significant population center to Thomson.

"We would expect to see some activity," said Clinton real estate agent Don Jefferies.

The findings of the studies, as well as upcoming testimony at a public hearing in Pontiac on August 12, will be used by lawmakers to decide whether to sign off on the governor's plan.

The hearing is set to begin at 5 pm at Pontiac Township High School. The Illinois Department of Corrections, lawmakers and interested citizens are expected to debate the merits of the proposal.

If the plan moves forward, the department wants to begin moving inmates into Thomson in January.