“Quinn’s plan to close prisons put on temporary lockdown” @ Chicago Tribune

Posted on September 5, 2012

Monique Garcia — September 5, 2012: “A southern Illinois judge has issued a temporary halt to Gov. Pat Quinn’s plan to close several prisons and juvenile justice facilities.

The ruling came at the request of the state’s largest employee union, which asked Alexander County Circuit Judge Charles Cavaness to block the closures. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees argued that the closures would put prison employees’ safety at risk, citing already crowded conditions at prisons across the state.

The move follows last week’s ruling by an arbitrator that Quinn violated the state’s contract with the union by moving forward with the closures. The arbitrator ordered the state to return to the bargaining table…………….”

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