Governor Pat Quinn today released the following statement regarding the federal Bureau of Prisons’ commitment of $58.7 million to activate Thomson Penitentiary. The funding was approved by Congress in January. A total of $15 million is designated for renovation while $43.7 million will be used to staff, upgrade and equip the facility.

“This federal funding is good news for the working families and communities of northwestern Illinois. We are closer than ever to the jobs and economic development that will come from having Thomson Penitentiary finally open in the region.

“The people of Illinois have waited for years for the federal government to come through on its promise to open the Administrative Maximum Facility U.S. Penitentiary, and that patience is paying off. I thank Senator Durbin and Representative Bustos for their hard work to open this facility and create good jobs throughout the region.

“This major new federal facility, combined with the infrastructure improvements we are making with my $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now!construction program, are driving the economy forward in northwestern Illinois and throughout the state.”

The full activation of the Administrative Maximum Facility U.S. Penitentiary is expected to take two years at a cost of $25 million for upgrades and renovations and approximately $170 million for equipment and staffing.