SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — State lawmakers grilled leaders from the Illinois Department of Corrections Friday about the potential closure of the Logan Correctional Center. IDOC officials told the Commission on Government Forecasting & Accountability that the facility is outdated, but staff argue it could be modernized or Illinois could build a brand new prison in Lincoln.

The Department of Corrections told COGFA members that the Logan Correctional Center has significant need for capital investment. Acting IDOC Director Latoya Hughes said buildings at Logan need to transition from coal power to clean energy and have the boiler system and pipes replaced. There is also $160 million in deferred maintenance.

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"Even if completed, such repairs still would not convert Logan to a modernized rehabilitative design that provides important programs and services to the individuals in our custody to facilitate successful re-entry and ensures a safe working environment for our staff," Hughes said.

While the department intends to keep women at Logan until construction is complete, Hughes explained Illinois will need to move most if not all of the women and staff if the property continues to deteriorate. 

Sen. Sally Turner (R-Lincoln) said the department needs to think about how this change could impact the people incarcerated there and staff dedicated to the facility.

"They have jobs. They have homes," Turner stressed. "We can’t expect them to drive 70 miles with $4 gas to try and work somewhere else. I think that’s something that’s extremely important to note."

There are 450 staff currently working at Logan Correctional Center. While IDOC officials noted that staff could transfer to the Lincoln Correction Center next door or the Decatur Correctional Center, they said there could be 850 positions available within a 90 mile radius of Logan.

Leaders from the union representing Logan employees said they strongly oppose moving women in the Lincoln facility to the Stateville Correctional Center in the Chicago suburbs. AFSCME Council 31 Deputy Director Mike Newman said the state could easily modernize or build a new facility in Lincoln instead.

"Up until now, this has been presented to us as a done deal that this is the way it’s going to be done," Newman said. "There hasn’t been any let’s explore other ways to do it. Although, the union certainly attempted to have those discussions."

COGFA members also stressed that they need more time to evaluate the closure. They plan to meet again to discuss the issue next month. 

"We recognize that this is a significant decision that impacts the lives of not only the staff and individuals in our custody at these two facilities, but also their families, the communities in which the facilities are located and the department’s larger ecosystem," Hughes said. 

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