Judge prohibits closing of Tamms prison

CAIRO, Ill. -- A Southern Illinois county judge Tuesday granted a temporary restraining order that, for now at least, blocks Gov. Pat Quinn's plan to close several state correctional facilities, including the Tamms Correctional Center, in an effort to slash millions from the state budget.

A spokeswoman for the governor called the ruling "disappointing," while a union that represents the prison employees described it as a victory.

Associate Circuit Judge Charles Cavaness issued the temporary restraining order Tuesday in Alexander County, upholding an arbitrator's ruling last week that the governor must negotiate with the workers' union on the terms of closing seven prison facilities. Quinn had been proceeding with his plan to close prisons at Tamms and other locations by Friday to save money in a budget crisis.

Quinn spokeswoman Kelly Kraft said it's a "disappointment" that the state's efforts to clean up the fiscal mess "continues to be halted."

Lt. Toby Oliver, a 15-year employee at Tamms and a union spokesman, said Tuesday, however, that the judge's decision was the right one.

"It reiterates what we have said all along -- that the process needs to be slowed down and thought through," Oliver said. "That has not been done yet. No thought has been put into this except to close them to save money."

The state's motion to dismiss the case was also denied Tuesday.

On Friday, an arbitrator found that Quinn and the Illinois Department of Corrections and Juvenile Justice violated the state's contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees by taking steps to close the facilities. The arbitrator ordered the state to return to the bargaining and to refrain from taking further steps until bargaining is concluded. The sides have 30 days to reach an agreement, though the administration appealed the ruling in Cook County court.

Southeast Missourian staff writer Scott Moyers contributed to this report.

Pertinent Address:

200 Supermax Road Tamms, IL 62988