UNION CO. CAMPAIGNS FOR PRISON

ANNA, Ill. -- When Illinois Governor Jim Edgar signed legislation approving funding for the construction of the state's newest super-maximum security prison last week, people in Union County were paying attention.

The Union County Economic Development Corporation a coalition of Union, Alexander, Johnson and Pulaski counties is vying for rights to serve as the site for the new prison with several other Illinois cities.

The communities all want the projected economic benefits of the $60 million, 500-bed prison. The prison would employ 300 people and have a $15 million annual budget. About 250 construction jobs also are expected.

The prison would house the state's most violent and disruptive criminals; at least 26 counties and towns are asking that it be built on their soil.

"Our people haven't stopped working on developing potential sites in the four counties," said Lee Roy Rendleman, board chairman of the Union County Economic Development Corporation. "We believe our coalition is in the forefront for the prison to be constructed in southernmost Illinois.

"We've been working on getting the prison down here since March 17," Rendleman said.

It was on that day that the coalition officially launched its drive for the super max prison in Union County. Since then, the coalition have found seven potential sites for the prison to be built.

In addition, the coalition sponsored a petition drive throughout the four-county area, gathering more than 8,000 signatures in support of building the prison in the region.

"Each time we think we've got a final count on the signatures, we receive more petitions," Rendleman said.

All four counties in the coalition are listed in the top 10 counties with the highest unemployment rates in Illinois. County and municipal officials hope that placement of the prison at any one of the sites will benefit surrounding counties.

Letters of support from business owners, organizations and individuals are being received from all four counties, Rendleman said. The letters will be included in a proposal to the governor and the Illinois Department of Corrections asking that the prison be built locally.

The prison committee members have discussed utility requirements with the necessary private companies and county and municipal agencies. Rendleman said cooperation between the counties has been strong and optimism is high.

Shawnee Community College president Jack Hill and Regional Superintendent of Schools Jerry Johnson have added their support on the prison in Southern Illinois. Shawnee Community College has increased its enrollment over the past two years to a peak of 2,400; 13 faculty members have been added and three extension centers have been opened in Anna, Cairo and Metropolis.

State Senator Jim Rea has indicated to the coalition that he believes the outlook is positive that the prison will be located in southern Illinois, Rendleman said.

"With this and other important factors in the coalition's favor I know we'll be one of the finalists," Rendleman said.

The Corrections Department is drawing up specifications for the prison site. Interested communities must apply by Sept. 15 to see if they qualify for consideration.

Regional hearings will follow, and a recommendation to the governor is set for mid-October.