Phelps-led work camp bill advances in House
HARRISBURG – A measure to re-open the shuttered Hardin County Work Camp sponsored by state Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, goes to the Illinois House of Representatives for a vote, and Phelps encourages local people to support it.
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The work camp, a minimum-security prison, was closed a little more than a year ago due largely to funding issues. Phelps said it is important to the area's economy to have the camp back in business.
"The Hardin County Work Camp is very important to Southern Illinois, and it was clearly unfairly targeted by the governor for closure," Phelps said. "By shutting it down, not only did he take away jobs, but he took away the potential future for many.
"Instead of looking to solve Illinois' budget problems by punishing the people that I represent, the governor should be finding ways to balance the budget other than on the backs of Southern Illinoisans."
Phelps' bill, House Bill 499, was voted out of committee on March 30, and will now go to the full House floor. 
If passed, the legislation would allow Illinois Department of Corrections to re-open the Hardin County Work Camp effective immediately. 
When Rauner announced his plans to close the camp in 2015, Phelps fought back with a petition from hundreds of area residents opposed to the closure.
The work camp focused on teaching inmates skills to use in the real world upon their release, helping them to reintegrate into society easier and preventing recidivism, or repeat offenses. 
"The governor ignored the will of Southern Illinoisans and has gone to great lengths to ensure that the Hardin County Work Camp does not reopen," Phelps said. "What he has done is not right, and that is why I am coming before him again, calling upon him and my fellow lawmakers to put aside their personal agendas and do something to help the people of Southern Illinois that are struggling."
Phelps currently is asking area residents to sign a new peition in support of HB 499. Those who wish to sign or who would like a copy, are asked to call his constituent service office at (618) 253-4189 or e-mail bphelps118@gmail.com.
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