A northern Illinois congressman is joining the call to close Tamms Supermax Prison.
U.S. Rep. Danny Davis of Chicago says he backs the governor's decision to close Tamms. He says the money spent there is better used elsewhere. Davis says he understands the flack the governor is getting from the union and Downstate lawmakers who want to see the prison stay open, but he says the people are behind him: "I suspect that the governor gets a bit of flack, but you know when the flack comes, the people in the community need to be there to protect those that would protect them." Tamms was to have closed at the end of August, but a lawsuit filed by the union representing prison guards and other state workers there has stalled the closure process. An evidentiary hearing has been going on in Alexander County to look at the potential of overcrowding in the prison system should Tamms close. The American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees says overcrowding would put their union members at risk.
Chicago Congressman Calls for Closing Tamms
