AFSCME Files a Lawsuit to keep Pontiac Prison Open SPRINGFIELD, IL (wsiu) - Governor Blagojevich and the Corrections Department director are named as defendants in a lawsuit filed by the union representing workers at the Pontiac Prison.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal employees alleges the department and the governor are acting illegally in their attempts to shutter the prison, shifting inmates and workers to the facility at Thomson.

AFSCME spokesman Anders Lindall says there is a precedent, when the union successfully halted Governor Ryan's attempt to close a prison in Vienna six years ago.

Lindall says the law doesn't allow the governor to spend money saved by closing Pontiac prison because the legislature originally appropriated the funds.

A state legislative panel voted this week NOT to close Pontiac, citing financial data that shows such a move would actually cost the state money.
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