LINCOLN (25News Now) – Lincoln is facing the loss of one of its major employers, but Gov. JB Pritzker said the community will have time to plan for what comes next.

Pritzker said on Tuesday at a press event in Bloomington that the Logan Correctional Center will not be switched to a new use for nearly five years, giving the state and local leaders time to plan for the property.

He said the state could demolish old buildings or renovate them for industrial, commercial, or residential use.

The goal is to use the existing utilities, facilities and skilled workforce to attract new businesses and jobs.

“We desire to attract a new industrial partner or a new commercial partner so that we can put people to work in Lincoln. That’s absolutely our desire. This is not the administration of 20 years ago that abandons properties. In fact, our desire here is to use every resource we have in the state of Illinois to grow our economy,” Pritzker said.

The Logan Correctional Center remains open as the Crest Hill facility is being designed and built.

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