Durbin, Quinn back proposal to house detainees at Illinois prison

CHICAGO (AP) -- U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says criticisms of a proposal to use an Illinois prison to house Guantanamo Bay detainees is pure political strategy and fear mongering.

Durbin's comments Monday come as several Republican leaders, including Rep. Mark Kirk, cite safety concerns with housing suspected terrorists in western Illinois.

Durbin says if the federal government buys the Thomson Correctional Center, it will become even more secure than its current maximum security status. He says that includes building another perimeter fence around the facility in rural Carroll County.

Durbin and Gov. Pat Quinn are defending the proposal, saying it would be a life line to the economically depressed area.

Quinn declined to say how much the prison, built in 2001, would sell for, citing the need for appraisal.

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