More Important News

Hospitality Tent Schedule at the Carroll County Fair

Tuesday, 4:00-4:30 Fair Games and Prizes

Wednesday, 1-5 Eastland Cheerleaders Face Painting

3:00 Eastland Cheerleaders Cheer Performance

5:30 Fair Games and Prizes

Thursday, 2-4 The Methodist Church distributing free water

5:15-6:15 Grand Squares, Morrison Square Dancing

5:30-9:00 Rope Making by Hinrich’s Custom Woodworking, Home of AJ Garden Tractor Jamboree 5/18/13

Friday, 4:30 Minute To Win It (Prizes)

5:30-Shelley’s Dance Studio Dancers

Saturday, 1-5 Eastland Cheerleaders Face Painting

3:00 Eastland Cheerleaders Cheer Performance

6:00-Shelley’s Dance Studio Dancers

Memorial Gift Towards Elevator at Savanna’s New Museum

The Savanna Historical Society NFP wishes to thank the friends and family of Donald and Helen Yenney for a memorial gift that was contributed in their names. The Yenneys were longtime Carroll County residents. Donald owned and operated a saw mill and was a heavy equipment operator who worked on many projects around Savanna. Helen was a teacher and tutor in the rural schools in the area. She recalled her teaching days as “one of the greatest memories I had in my life.” Helen was known for her love of teaching and was interested in heritage and preservation.

“This gift to the Savanna Historical Society for the new Museum is a fitting memorial,” said President John Pokornik. Pokornik noted the major barrier to opening the Museum is the cost of a new elevator, approximately $130,000. The Yenney memorial kicks off a fundraising effort to raise money for the elevator. Supporters are asked to “Give the elevator a lift” with donations for an elevator, he said.

For more information or to make a tax-deductible gift for the elevator, contact the Savanna Historical Society NFP at PO Box 124, Savanna, IL 61074 or call Treasurer Jean Jones at .

C&C Millwright Sports New Sign

Craig Huber Owner of C&C Millwright, Inc. celebrates the installation of his new sign at 9900 Benson Road in Lanark IL. C&C Millwright includes sales and service of: Sweet Bucket Elevators, M/C Grain Dryers, GSI & Hutchinson Grain, Handling Equipment, Custom Pit Fabrication and Deadheads built by C&C Millwright.

Some exciting news from Mathews Company, a very important line for M-C replacing their very popular current tower series line up. Mathews Continuous Flow Grain Dryers in both the energy efficient vacuum cool Tower and Low-rise series. The Next Generation 10’ diameter Tower Series will debut at the Farm Progress Show in Boone, IA. For more information, please contact Craig Huber at .

4-H judge Marty Kostes (rt) looks over a students project during judging held on Saturday, August 4th at the Carroll County 4-H Show. Be sure to stop by the 4H buildings and see the projects and animals at the CC Fairgrounds in Milledgeville. (PA photo/L. Forth)

At the July 31, 2012 Mount Carroll Rotary Club meeting, guest speakers Josh Kreuder (L) and Eric Smith (R) are pictured with Mount Carroll Rotarian Ed Juracek. Their companies, Eric Smith Classic Car Restoration and Classic Couches are located in Lanark and Chadwick and serve customers world wide with unique furniture made from original cars and equipment. Visit them at http://www.sweetsofas.com/. (Courtesy of Lou Schau)

LogHoggers Chainsaw Sculpting Back by Popular Demand

142nd Annual Whiteside County Fair

142nd Annual Whiteside County Fair that opens the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 14, and runs through the Saturday, Aug. 18, grand finale.

LogHoggers Chainsaw Sculpting will be making carvings daily Tuesday through Saturday with the auction on Saturday at 4 p.m. This event will be sponsored again this year by Five Star Enterprises. Make sure you stop by each day and see what kinds of sculptures are being made. This will be located close to the secretary’s office or just follow the sound of the chainsaw.

Next-Level Pro-Bullriding will be showing the crowd some exciting Bull Riding on Wednesday night. Get ready to watch the bulls blast out the shoots with the riders hand tied down to the bull and trying to stay on for 8 seconds.

Grandpa Cratchet puppet show will return to the Fair again this year.

Wilson Family Rides will provide the midway entertainment that will delight fair-goers. MEGA PASS is back again this year and it can be purchased for $45.00 the week before the fair and the Monday before the fair. Once the fair starts on Tuesday the cost is $50.00. This will let you ride any of the Wilson Family Rides when the Carnival is open between Tuesday, August 14th and Saturday, August 18th.

If you are looking for a good deal for one day at the fair during the week here are some other options. Only $15 gets a rider unlimited rides from 2-6 p.m. on “wristband days”—Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. “Midway Madness” takes over Wednesday from 1-9 p.m. when a rider can ride to his or her content with the purchase of a $25 wristband.

For more information about these, or any other fair events, check out the fair’s website at www.whitesidecountyfair.org

Governor Holds Fate of SWCDs in His Hands

By Richard W. Nichols | Executive Director, AISWCD

As the final authority for the Administrative branch of government on bills sent to him by the Illinois General Assembly, Governor Pat Quinn holds the fate of many things in his hands. One such thing is the ability of Illinois soil and water conservation districts to continue their more than 75 year tradition of providing advice and technical assistance to landowners concerned with protecting their land and water resources. The 97 soil and water conservation districts cover the entire state and are in the business of working with rural and urban landowners to maximize the retention of storm water on site to accomplish two things. One is the reduction of soil erosion and two is the retention of water to assure maximum infiltration to recharge aquifers and reduce water quality impairments.

Sedimentation, the result of soil being eroded from fields and construction sites, can cause great harm and expense when it ends up where it isn’t wanted. Sediment filled road ditches lead to localized flooding and higher road maintenance costs as well as dangerous driving conditions when the sediment filled runoff exceeds the ditch’s capacity and ends up on the road as slick, gooey mud. Sediment filled impoundments lead to reduced recreational opportunities, health issues and water supply issues where the impoundment is used as a public water source.

Soil and water conservation districts employ a number of tools to reduce sediment and stormwater runoff. One such tool is “no-till” on agricultural crop land. You may notice as you drive through rural areas that some of the corn fields look better than others next to them or across the road from them. In many cases the difference is due to no-till. No-till is the act of leaving last year’s crop residue on the soil surface rather than tilling the soil and incorporating the residue into the soil. When left on the surface, the crop residue acts as a protective mulch covering. It helps retain rainfall on the field and reduce runoff that can carry soil off the site as sediment. The retention of rainfall and the mulch covering have helped increase available moisture in the no-till fields, helping sustain the growing crop during the current drought. That is not to say that all no-till fields will have good crops this year. During a severe drought like we have now, all crops will suffer but it does appear that the crops planted into no-till aren’t suffering quite as much.

The no-till practice is an important tool used by the soil and water conservation districts to conserve both soil and water. The Governor holds in his hands the answer as to whether soil and water conservation districts will be able to continue to provide advice and guidance to potential no-till users or if they will be forced to cease services and close their doors.

SB1849 is the answer. SB1849, commonly referred to as the Gaming Bill, will provide $12.5 million for Illinois soil and water conservation districts. The bill will also provide funding for 4-H, county fairs, Cooperative Extension and other worthwhile programs that benefit a large number of Illinoisans, including the creation of an expected 20,000 jobs.

We encourage Governor Quinn to sign SB1849. Give Illinois’ soil and water conservation districts the ability to use the tools they have to help reduce soil erosion, sedimentation and water quality problems while also helping to reduce the impacts of future droughts.

Please write or call Governor Quinn and tell him you want him to sign Senate Bill 1849. Who knows, if the soil and water conservation districts are given the funding they so desperately need, maybe the next drought won’t be quite as devastating.

Entries Sought for Two Popular Whiteside County Fair Events

Antique tractor buffs will have a heyday at this year’s 142nd Annual Whiteside County Fair, which runs August 14-18.

Display your Antique Tractor at this year’s Whiteside County Fair. Each participant will receive a 142nd Whiteside County Fair plaque to display on their antique tractor. The exhibitor’s will fire up their engines for the parade about one hour before the start of that evening’s truck and tractor pulls at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 17th.

Anyone displaying their Antique Farm Tractor at the 2012 Whiteside County Fair will be required to purchase a Season Membership Pass which will automatically enter them into the exhibition. Due to space constraints, the display will be limited to “restored or good original” tractors. The fair also welcomes for display, hit and miss engines that are in working order. No garden tractors or implements are allowed unless the implements are mounted to the tractor.

Pre-registration is recommended and can be done by contacting Ron Shank at or Francis Venhuizen at 772-3241.

For more information about these, or any other fair events, check out the fair’s website at www.whitesidecountyfair.org

Schilling, Bustos to Debate

U.S. Rep. Bobby Schilling, R-Colona, and Democrat challenger Cheri Bustos, East Moline, have agreed to a live debate at 6:30 p.m. Oct 11 on WQAD News 8.

The half-hour debate is co-hosted by The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus and also will be streamed live on Quad-Cities Online and WQAD.com. WQAD News 8 anchor Jim Mertens will serve as moderator.

Terry Schilling, Rep. Schilling’s campaign manager, and Allison Jaslow, Ms. Bustos’ campaign manager, agreed to the terms of the debate this morning at a meeting with representatives of WQAD and The Dispatch-Argus. Prior to today’s meeting neither of the 17th Congressional District candidates had agreed to participate in a debate with the other.

Terry Schilling said, “Bobby Schilling has an excellent record. In just one term, he’s fought to create jobs, balance the budget, and lead by example. He rejected congressional pay increases, turned down the congressional health care and pension plans, and he returned $110,000 from his congressional office budget to the taxpayer after voting to cut his office budget by more than 10 percent. Bobby Schilling has an excellent record of serving the people of this district, and Bobby looks forward to telling the voters about that record on October 11th.”

The uninterrupted debate will allow each candidate one minute to respond to each question, with rebuttal time to follow. Questions will be determined by WQAD and The Dispatch-Argus with input from the public. Rep. Schilling and Ms. Bustos also will be allowed a 90-second closing statement.

A cross-section community audience of about 30 people will be chosen by the media outlets to attend the debate in the studio.

3rd Annual ‘Back to School’ Classic Car & Truck Show

First Reformed Church at 510 15th AVE, Fulton will be hosting a Car and Truck Show on August 18, 2012 from 9 am – 3 pm. The cost is $10 per car. All proceeds will go to support the Fulton Fire Department, Unity Christian School, and Fulton Blended Preschool.

Classes include truck, all eras of cars, modified cars, and motorcycles. Awards will include Class Winner, Best of Class, Best of Show, Kids’ Choice and Pastor’s Choice; all judging will be participant. Goody bags will be available for the first 60 cars. There are also a variety of door prizes as well as a 50/50 raffle. The awards presentation will be held at 3:30PM

Food will be available for sale, provided by the Fulton EMTs. All proceeds from the food sales will go to support the Fulton EMTs. Riverbend Athletic Boosters will have items available for sale. All proceeds from the 50/50 raffle will benefit Riverbend Athletic Boosters

If you would like further information please contact Rev. Edie Lenz at or via email at

Illinois Gains $16.7 Million Investment in Airport Infrastructure

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn announced July 31 that several Illinois airports have received a total of $16,691,639 in grants through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for infrastructure improvements and upgrades.

“Today’s grants will allow airports in Illinois to make needed improvements and upgrades to help them serve travelers more safely and efficiently,” said Durbin.

“Airports across Illinois play an important role in making our state accessible to businesses and travelers from around the world,” Governor Quinn said. “These federal funds will help us make necessary upgrades across Illinois and continue to keep our airports safe and efficient.”

The following investments in Illinois’ transportation infrastructure were made under this announcement:

- Quad City International Airport, Metropolitan Airport Authority of Rock Island County: $225,000 in funding to perform a drainage study to define areas on the airport needing drainage improvements;

- State of Illinois: $16,466,639 in funding to the Illinois State Block Grant Program which provides funding to conduct various improvements at non-primary airports in the state of Illinois. This grant will be used, in conjunction with previous federal grants and state and local funds, to fund a large number of airport improvement projects at reliever and general aviation airports throughout the state. Projects will include pavement and lighting rehabilitation, security fencing, runway and taxiway extensions, obstruction removal, land acquisition and new hangar construction.

Crop Insurance Reminders For Those Possibly Affected By Aflatoxin

Lynn Bower, Chairman of the Carroll County FSA Office said, “Weather conditions have made the fungus aflatoxin a threat to this year’s corn crop.”

According to Bower if producers think their corn has aflatoxin, they should notify their crop insurance agent before they harvest the grain, put the grain in storage or deliver it for sale. Their insurance provider will take samples for testing and submit them to an approved testing facility. Depending on the aflatoxin level present, the corn price may be discounted or, in rare cases, the grain will need to be destroyed.

Aflatoxin levels can increase in storage. Therefore, losses are only insurable if the grain is tested at an approved testing facility before being moved into commercial or on-farm storage. A producer may also make arrangements with their insurance provider to leave representative sample areas of the unharvested crop. The adjuster will take samples from these areas for aflatoxin testing. Producers cannot collect their own samples. Samples must be collected by their insurance provider or a disinterested party, such as an approved elevator.

A list of approved testing facilities can be found on the website: rma.usda.gov/aboutrma/fields/il_rso/

Bower urges all producers to contact their insurance agent with any questions concerning aflatoxin. Your crop insurance agent can provide you with additional information specific to your needs.

Emergency CRP Haying And Grazing Acres Expanded

In response to the expanding drought, Douglas Olson, member of the Carroll County Farm Service Agency County Committee announced the addition of 8 CRP practices that livestock producers and other participants in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) will now be able to emergency hay and graze. According to Olson. “many of these additional acres have wetland-related characteristics and are likely to contain better quality hay and forage than on other CRP acres.” Additional he stated, “Local producer will most benefit from the release of grass waterways for haying and grazing. The list of eligible practices has been expanded to include:

CP8A, Grass Waterway-Noneasement

CP23, Wetland Restoration

CP23A, Wetland Restoration, Non-Floodplain

CP25, Rare & Declining Habitat

CP27, Farmable Wetlands Pilot Wetland

CP28, Farmable Wetlands Pilot Buffer

CP37, Duck Nesting Habitat

CP41, FWP Flooded Prairie Wetlands

The payment reduction for emergency haying and grazing has been reduced from 25 percent of the rental payment per acre to 10 percent for the 2012 year.

Emergency haying is available now through Aug. 31, 2012. Participant must leave at least 50 percent of each field or contiguous CRP field ungrazed for wildlife. Hay that is baled may be given away or sold. All hay must be removed from the field by August 31st.

Emergency grazing is allowed now through Sept. 30, 2012. Participants shall leave at least 25 percent of each field or contiguous CRP field ungrazed, or graze not more than 75 percent of the stocking rate. All livestock must be removed by September 30, 2012.

Olson reminded producer that it is imperative they first visit their Local FSA office prior to haying or grazing any CRP acreage.

Producer with questions on this or other FSA programs are encouraged to contact their local FSA Office.

2012 Secretary of State Antique Vehicle Show Coming Soon

The 63rd Secretary of State Antique Vehicle Show will be held Saturday, September 8th on Springfield’s Southwest side at Prairie Crossing, 4200 Conestoga Drive.

First organized in 1949 as an Antique Auto Meet, the show today features not only some of the finest antique and classic vehicles in Illinois, but sports cars, motorcycles, trucks, recreational vehicles, hot rods, and tractors as well.

“We encourage antique vehicle owners and enthusiasts to come enjoy our auto show and swap meet again this year as we celebrate the 63rd anniversary of the antique vehicle show,” said White. “As always, we expect to have some of the finest antique vehicles from Illinois and neighboring states on display.”

For a brochure including an Antique Vehicle/Swap Meet registration form and plate request form, call or write to the Secretary of State’s office, 450A Howlett Building, Springfield, IL 62756. The brochure also is available online at http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com. Any further questions regarding the event may be emailed to .

NAMI’s Family-To-Family Education Course

NAMI Sauk Valley will sponsor the NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program specifically for families of persons diagnosed with a serious mental disorder. The 12-week series of classes will meet weekly in Sterling on Thursdays, August 30 - November 15, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., at the Whiteside County Regional Office of Education.

The course will cover information about schizophrenia, the mood disorders (bipolar disorder and major depression), panic disorder, post traumatic stress syndrome and obsessive compulsive disorder; coping skills for handling a crisis or relapse; basic information about medications; listening and communication techniques; problem-solving skills; recovery and rehabilitation; and dealing with worry and stress of the care-givers. The curriculum has been written by an experienced family member mental health professional and the course will be taught by NAMI Sauk Valley family member volunteers who have taken intensive training as course instructors. The co-teachers for the class will be Lorna Engwall and Mary Ann Hutchison.

“This class continues to help me. The classroom teachings and other’s experiences help me understand why our loved ones do some of the things they do . . . it helps me live in my world instead of theirs,” says a former course participant.

Other comments include, “This course has shown me that I’m not alone in this struggle. It has helped me see things from my son’s perspective, as well as taught me better ways to respond to him.”

Another class member says, ”This course has been a huge blessing to me and my family. It was imperative that I understand how a person with mental illness feels. …I was taking things personally. Now I have the knowledge I needed to cope.”

The course is designed specifically for parents, siblings, spouses, teen-aged and adult sons and daughters, partners, and significant others who are caregivers of persons living with a severe and persistent mental illness. The course is not appropriate for individuals who themselves have a major mental illness.

The NAMI Family-to-Family Education Course is free. For more information and to register, call Lorna Engwall at or Mary Ann Hutchison at . Class size is limited to 20 participants who commit to attending all twelve classes. Pre-registration is required.

Goodwill Raises Funds for Local Scholarships

Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois is proud to announce that it has awarded Highland Community College $1,000 in scholarship funds that are targeted to assist persons with barriers to advance their education. Funds were raised from the Goodwill Diva Dress Sale and Fashion Show last March, enabling them to build a better future for themselves, their families, and the community as a whole.

“This scholarship program is a perfect match for Goodwill’s mission of assisting persons with barriers to achieve the dignity of work through advanced education at Highland Community College,” stated Sam Schmitz, President of Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois.

“On behalf of the Highland Community College and the Highland Community College Foundation we are proud to offer students the opportunity to pursue their educational dreams by providing scholarships from our generous donors,” stated Pat Dunn, Director of Operations.

For information regarding scholarships, please contact the HCC Foundation Office .

Goodwill’s retail operations sell donated, gently-used products as well as new items such as overstocks and close-outs from some of the best-known stores in the state. Goodwill stores in northern Illinois (Rockford, Machesney Park, Freeport, Sterling, DeKalb, Ottawa, McHenry, and Huntley) and Beloit, Wisconsin employ nearly 300 people. Visit their website at www.goodwillni.org.

Attention Citizens: Red, White & You

Red, White & You will be presented at Sauk Valley Community College, September 24, 6:30 p.m.

Local voters are invited to learn more about Illinois local government. County Clerks from Carroll, Lee and Whiteside counties will discuss election issues like early and absentee voting, getting on the ballot, write-in votes and more.

Candidates who will be on the November ballot have been invited to a meet and greet. Candidates can register now to participate in Red, White & You. Meet and greet your existing and potential constituents and learn more about Illinois Local government.

In addition, registration as a local government official entitles you and members of your local government board / council to attend the opening program on Illinois Local Government, enjoy light refreshments and to set-up a table / booth.

Register at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/clw or contact Terry Feinberg at . This program is offered by a partnership between U of I Extension-CLW and Sauk Valley Community College. Program Coordinator: Terry Feinberg, Community & Economic Development Educator.

For more information about or to register for the programs listed above, visit us online at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/clw or call .

Master Gardener Hotlines Open To September 1

Take advantage of the Master Gardeners’ Homeowner Hotline in this last month of summer. Homeowners are encouraged to call or stop in at any site and to bring pictures or specimens of insects, diseased plants, etc.

Hotlines close September 1.

Carroll Co.: Thurs., May 3 - Sept. 1, 1 to 2 p.m. at the Carroll Co. Extension Office in Mt. Carroll. Call or email to

Lee Co.: Tues., April 1 - Sept. 1, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Plum Creek Arboretum at 629 Palmyra Rd. in Dixon. Call 815-285-DAGC (3242) or email to

Whiteside Co.: April 1 - Sept. 1, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Mon. & Fri. at the Whiteside Co. Extension Office in Morrison. Call or email to

Three Attend LPL Financial Regional Roundtable

Robin Wilhelms Saar, Cassandre Wilhelms Mlakar, and Karen Schriner recently attended the Regional Roundtable, a leading financial services industry conference hosted by LPL Financial, an independent broker.

Held in Oakbrook on June 27, 2012, the Regional Roundtable is one of the industry’s premier conferences focusing on helping clients succeed in the current economic environment.

Robin is Executive Vice President and a Financial Advisor at First State Bank Shannon-Polo-Lake Carroll. She is FINRA Series 7, 66, Chartered Senior Financial Planner, Life Insurance and Long Term Care licensed.

Cassandre is also a Financial Advisor at First State Bank. She is FINRA Series 7, 63, and Life Insurance licensed.

Karen is a Senior Sales Assistant at First State Bank. They are available for appointments by calling the Shannon Facility at , the Polo Facility at , and the Lake Carroll Facility at .

About LPL Financial

LPL Financial, a wholly owned subsidiary of LPL Investment Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: LPLA), is the nation’s largest independent broker-dealer,* a top RIA custodian, and a leading independent consultant to retirement plans.

* As reported by Financial Planning magazine, June 1996–2011, based on total revenue. Securities & Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial

A Registered Investment Advisor Member FINRA/SIPC

Are You Experiencing Symptoms of Cataracts?

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in people 55 and older. Dr. David Jennings and Dr. Bradley Yaklich, Therapeutic Optometrists in Morrison, encourage everyone to be aware of the symptoms of cataracts.

“A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye,” Dr. Jennings explained, “and they tend to ‘grow’ gradually, so changes in vision may not be noticeable at first.”

Symptoms of cataracts may include “Cloudy” vision, Sensitivity to bright sunlight, “Halos” appear around headlights at night, and Colors appear faded.

The most common cataracts are age-related, according to Dr. Yaklich, “By age 80, almost half the population either has a cataract or has had a cataract surgically removed.”

Cataract surgery is one of the most common forms of surgery in the United States, with more than 1.5 million procedures every year. But surgery is not the first option for anyone with a cataract.

According to Jennings, “We can manage some of the symptoms of cataracts in the early stages with sunglasses or eyeglasses with anti-reflective lenses. When the cataract interferes with daily activities such as reading or driving, it’s time to consider surgery.”

As with any eye disease, early detection and treatment are the keys to successful management of cataracts. The first step is a comprehensive eye examination especially for persons over 60 years of age.

Dr. David C Jennings, and Dr. Bradley R Yaklich, Vision Source, is located at 201 E. Market St., Morrison, IL. , . www.visionsource-drjennings.com. They are members of Vision Source, the nation’s number one network of private practice optometrists. Founded in 1991, The Vision Source network includes more than 2,400 offices in all 50 states and in Canada.

Morrison: Paint The Town

The City of Morrison is inviting all that are looking for the perfect family venue. A day that offers fun for all ages as they show their skill (or lack of skill) when painting any image or message of choice on a five foot square on the main streets of historic downtown Morrison. Then the streets remained closed for the next day so others may roam the streets and admire the graphic efforts of the many aspiring artists.

While painting the streets, often other artists, and visiting with neighboring participants, the aroma of the day fills the air with scents of funnel cakes, hot dogs, brats, burgers, doughnuts, fried oreos and twinkies, kettle corn, and pork tenderloins just to mention a few.. Then follow your meal of choice with strawberry shortcake, ice cream or other deserts available.

Entertainment greets all visitors from throughout downtown. Entertainment in the form of a balloon man, area’s leading bands to the east and west, a walking Mariachi band or have your imagination challenged by a magic man. Activities accompany the painting activities the entire day and then the streets welcome dancers who enjoy the music into the evening.

The downtown business district establishments welcome all visitors to roam the stores and enjoy the foods of the many restaurants and bars.

Paint the Town, 18th edition, remains a family oriented art festival that takes place in the central business district of the history filled community of Morrison, Illinois on Saturday, September 15, 2012. Participants may register on line at www.paintthetownmorrison.com or at the Morrison City Hall.

Durbin Sets the Record Straight on Thomson Prison

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released a letter to Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA) on Friday, Aug. 3, setting the record straight on the Obama Administration’s effort to purchase Thomson Correctional Center and open it as a maximum-security federal prison – a move that would alleviate overcrowding in the federal prison system and create more than 1,100 jobs in Northwest Illinois. In his letter, Durbin addressed several concerns raised by Congressman Wolf in recent weeks.

On whether or not the Obama Administration will house Guantanamo Bay detainees at Thomson prison, Durbin wrote: “Guantanamo detainees must be housed in a military prison. There is no request for Department of Defense funds for Thomson because there is no intention to house Guantanamo detainees at Thomson. And your litany of grievances against the Attorney General in your letter including his positions on gay marriage, gambling and the ‘New Black Panther Party’, tell me that unfortunately for the people of Illinois who need these jobs, the involvement of the Attorney General in this request obscures your ability to see this issue on its merits.

On whether or not the reprogramming of already appropriated funding constitutes an earmark, Durbin wrote: “As the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, I often approve reprogramming requests for similar department/agency needs. In fact, I consider this a routine function. These are not earmarks. And I don’t believe it’s appropriate to stand in the way of reasonable requests from the Executive Branch to move existing funds between accounts, simply because a local congressman or senator supports the request.”

On whether or not the purchase of Thomson will impact the opening of four other prisons around the country, Durbin wrote: “[Thomson] is the only facility that can help alleviate the severe overcrowding of the ADX (“supermax”) in Florence, Colorado. Simply put, no other facility – including Aliceville, Alabama; Berlin, New Hampshire; Preston County, West Virginia (Hazelton); and Yazoo City, Mississippi – can replicate Thomson’s unique security design with compartmentalized pods and 1,600 high security cells that will allow for the housing of maximum security and “supermax” inmates. In addition, Thomson is already built, has never been fully occupied, and is significantly cheaper than building a new facility.”

Finally, Durbin made clear is his letter to Congressman Wolf that he stands ready and willing to discuss these matters further with the members of the Congressman’s Congressional Subcommittee and the Republican Caucus who, in recent days, have conveniently emerged to raise new objections.