SPRINGFIELD - Lawmakers Thursday blasted a plan to close a portion of Stateville Correctional Center, saying they want full-scale hearings on the concept before they even consider the idea.

The Blagojevich administration, however, told a Senate panel it can move inmates out of the maximum-security wing of the Joliet-area facility without legislative approval.

At issue is the governor's plan to transfer inmates out of Stateville in order to begin filling an unused maximum-security lock-up in Thomson, located in the northwest corner of the state.

The move will displace an estimated 400 prison workers, which lawmakers say triggers an automatic series of public hearings under the state's facilities closure act.

The act was put in place by lawmakers after Blagojevich tried to close two other prisons during his first term in office.

The Illinois Department of Corrections says they can pursue the governor's plan because the entire prison at Stateville is not being shuttered.

"We don't feel it applies," said Department of Corrections spokesman Derek Schnapp.

It is not clear what the next step for lawmakers will be. If they demand a full-scale public hearing, one could be scheduled within the next 45 days.

Corrections Director Roger Walker did tell members of the Senate committee that he is willing to continue discussing the proposal as part of on-going negotiations over the state budget.

"Obviously it's something that needs to be revisited," Walker said.

State Sen. Donne Trotter, D-Chicago, scolded Walker and Gov. Rod Blagojevich for putting the proposal together without input from lawmakers.

"You've done all your thinking in a vacuum. It's the process that hasn't been respected here," Trotter said.