SPRINGFIELD -- A state agency that's been trying to downsize itself for the past five years now wants to grow.

Officials at the Illinois Department of Corrections, who have talked of closing prisons around the state since 2003, are poised to begin planning for the construction of a new facility to house inmates.

Tucked into a recent spending bill approved by lawmakers is $2 million to begin planning a cellblock that would house prisoners waiting for court proceedings in the Cook County area.

Corrections spokeswoman Januari Smith said the new unit will help the agency reduce the cost of transporting prisoners to court proceedings in the Chicago area.

The new wing likely will be built on the grounds of the Stateville Correctional Center, which the department had talked about closing in March 2008.

A final price tag for the facility was not available.

The new plan to expand comes in the wake of unsuccessful attempts by former Gov. Rod Blagojevich to close prisons in not only Stateville, but in Vandalia and Pontiac.

And, it comes as the department is beginning the release of 1,000 non-violent inmates.

Legislation approving the spending was part of an overall budget adjustment OK'd by the General Assembly during the recent fall veto session.

Among those voting against the measure was state Sen. Bill Brady, who expressed concern about adding spending at a time when the state is deep in debt.

"It's more money out the door," said the Bloomington Republican.

Gov. Pat Quinn has not yet signed the legislation.

The proposal is Senate Bill 1181.