SPRINGFIELD - More than 300 workers at the state prison in Pontiac would have to leave town or transfer to other prisons more than 90 minutes away if Gov. Rod Blagojevich carries out his plan to close the maximum-security facility.

That's according to the Illinois Department of Corrections, which issued a report this week outlining why it wants to shutter the state's oldest prison and move inmates to a new facility in Thomson.

The recommendation notes that 171 of the 569 existing prison workers could transfer to jobs within a 90-minute drive of Pontiac, leaving more than 300 who would face a three-hour roundtrip commute if they wanted to continue working in prisons farther away.

"This report is pretty damning, but it's not unexpected," Pontiac Mayor Scott McCoy said Thursday.

Blagojevich announced in May that he wants to close the facility in order to move inmates and jobs to the mostly unused prison north of the Quad Cities. The report says the shakeup would save taxpayers $4 million.

An economic impact survey conducted by the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University, Macomb, notes the six-county region around Thomson would see a $47.5 million boost in its economy. The survey was conducted on behalf of DOC.

"Staffing and operations at the Thomson Correctional Center will provide a wealth of economic benefits to the six-county region," the report says.

"I'm all for it," Thomson Mayor Jerry Hebeler said Thursday. "This town is getting to be a ghost town."

In addition to Thomson and surrounding Carroll County, the survey notes that Lee, Stephenson, Rock Island, Ogle and Whiteside counties would see economic benefits from Thomson being fully operational.

"The proposal to staff and operate the Thomson Correctional Center holds great promise for northwestern Illinois," the report notes.

The survey, however, did not address the economic impact on nearby Clinton, Iowa.

The 29-page report notes that Livingston and four surrounding counties around Pontiac would lose $45 million in economic activity if the prison closes.

"Closure of the Pontiac Correctional Center would have deep and significant negative impacts on the local and regional economies," the report notes.

Among businesses hardest hit would be grocery stores, restaurants, hospitals and doctors.

The report says Pontiac's closure also would harm local governments, which rely on sales tax revenue generated by workers buying goods.

"I don't think it's really any surprise," said McCoy. "If it were to close that it would be dire for all of Central Illinois."

McCoy said talk of closing Pontiac has already had an effect on the community.

"There are a few who are getting pretty antsy," McCoy said. "A lot of people are holding off on buying automobiles or doing home improvements."

The report is the latest step in the prison closure process. Next up is an August 12 public hearing at Pontiac Township High School, in which a panel of lawmakers will hear from the Illinois Department of Corrections and interested citizens about the proposal.

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

McCoy, as well as local lawmakers, are fighting the move.