A southern Illinois judge is barring Governor Pat Quinn from going forward with his plan to close two prisons, at least for now.
Alexander County Circuit Judge Charles Cavaness cited safety concerns when he issued the injunction Wednesday. It replaces a temporary restraining order he issued last month and requires the Tamms Supermax Prison and the Dwight Correctional Center to remain open while the administration and a union go through arbitration. The injunction also covers Quinn's plan to close the Illinois Youth Center in Murphysboro, a half-way house in Carbondale along with two other halfway houses and another youth prison in the state. Aides to Governor Quinn say he plans to appeal the judge's decision. The state legislature provided money to keep the facilities open, but Quinn vetoed the funds. He says they should be spent on education.