SPRINGFIELD - Bowing to political pressure, the Blagojevich administration now says it will participate in public hearings over its plan to close a portion of the Stateville Correctional Center.

The decision, which came after lawmakers balked at the proposal, may stave off a potentially costly legal fight.

The controversy began brewing soon after the Illinois Department of Corrections announced plans to phase out 1,600 inmates and 400 jobs from the maximum-security lock-up near Joliet.

Corrections Director Roger Walker claimed the plan was not subject to a 2005 law requiring hearings when state facilities with more than 25 workers are targeted for closure.

But, in a March 27 letter to the legislative commission that oversees facility closures, Walker said the agency would comply with the law.

"We are very much looking forward to working with you to gain your support of our plan," Walker wrote.

A public hearing on the closure proposal is set for May 12 at Romeoville High School.

Derek Schnapp, spokesman for the Department of Corrections, said the agency reversed its position "in the spirit of openness."

"We think we have a good plan," Schnapp said.

The administration originally contended it did not have to comply with the law because it is not shuttering the entire prison.

The law requiring the hearings was enacted after Gov. Rod Blagojevich unsuccessfully attempted to close prisons in Vandalia and Pontiac. The law is designed to make sure the public is informed about the economic effects of a closing.

After the hearing, a legislative panel issues a recommendation on whether the closure should go forward. But, the administration is not bound by the recommendation.

The Department of Corrections says closing the maximum-security portion of Stateville will save taxpayers $31 million. Inmates would be moved to similar prisons in Pontiac, Menard and an unused prison in Thomson.

The plan doesn't affect Stateville's minimum-security wing or an inmate processing center.

The decision to participate in the hearings likely averts another legal fight between Blagojevich and the General Assembly.

Last year's bitter overtime session resulted in two lawsuits between the governor and lawmakers, including one focusing on whether the governor can decide what time of day legislators are supposed to start their work.