UPDATED 7 a.m. PONTIAC - To help the community of Pontiac recover from the pending closure of Pontiac Correctional Center, the governor launched a task force Wednesday to bring together state and local resources.

"I am creating this task force to develop real solutions and find ways to help the Pontiac community during this transition," Gov. Rod Blagojevich said in a release, adding it will "give them the help they need so people can support their families and pay the bills during these tough economic times."

Pontiac Mayor Scott McCoy said he always is open to help offered to the residents of Pontiac, but the best way the governor can help the city is to keep open the prison.

"I am for any help that we can get for the impact of the individuals, employees and the community, but … he put us in this spot in the first place," McCoy said. "We didn't do this to ourselves, so don't hit me, apologize and then help me back up."

With about 600 workers, the prison is Pontiac's No. 2 employer, but the Illinois Department of Corrections plans to close it by Dec. 31. State estimates say the economic impact will be more than $45 million.

The task force, which met Wednesday, plans to report to Blagojevich on available resources for a transition and address subsequent issues which may arise. Representatives from several state agencies will create a pool of services with the goal of streamlining the distribution of resources.

They would like to make sure the "livelihood of people in the Pontiac community is impacted as minimally as possible during that time," he said.

They will come from the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Department of Human Services, the Community College Board, State Board of Education, the Department of Public Health, the Illinois Finance Authority, the Illinois Housing Development Authority, Illinois Central Management Services and the state police.

Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa, said he will continue to speak with the governor's office and work closely with this task force.

"We want to see what can be done to help employment, the economy and the working men, women and families of central Illinois," he said. "The second thing, is figuring out the best use of the grounds and the building for the taxpayers."