Closure of Hardin County Work Camp threatened by Gov. Rauner, Rep. Phelps chimes in

Included in Governor Bruce Rauner's recent threats to close two juvenile detention centers and the Illiana Expressway project is the Hardin County Work Camp in Cave-in-Rock.

The governor issued the threats among claims that Democratic House and Senate leaders aren't cooperating in budget negotiations. This comes after lawmakers approved a budget plan that would leave the state $3 billion short in revenue.

Opened in December 1984, the Hardin County Work Camp, with a population of about 200, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections website, employs 66 correctional officers. The facility primarily covers Hardin, Saline and Gallatin counties, and is a satellite facility of the Shawnee Correctional Center.

Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, said he would fight to protect the jobs impacted and to keep the facility open.

"I supported a budget that funds our Corrections Facilities because I know the hard working men and women who protect our facilities deserve the support they need," said Phelps in a press release Wednesday. "I'm going to fight until the dogs come home to keep this facility open, because it's time to put a stop to Southern Illinois workers getting caught up in the games of Chicago politicians."

Phelps said in the press release that the governor's office said the facility needed to be closed because repairs after a recent fire in the work camp's kitchen were too expensive.

"Arguing that we need to shut the doors and lay people off because the place needs some repairs is like saying 'let's amputate your foot because you stubbed your toe,'" said Phelps. "I'm willing to sit down and work with the governor to find a solution, but threatening the jobs of workers in Southern Illinois is reckless and he's playing politics with people's livelihoods."