HR0963 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0963 LRB099 16805 MST 41152 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In March of 2013, Governor Quinn ordered the closing of the Dwight Correctional Center in Logan County, near Dwight; and

WHEREAS, The closing of the Dwight Correctional Center was claimed to be a cost-saving measure; it was estimated that $27 million annually in operating costs and nearly $350,000 in annual maintenance costs would be saved; and

WHEREAS, About 1,000 inmates were transferred from the Dwight Correctional Center to the Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln; and

WHEREAS, The property of the Dwight Correctional Center was transferred from the control of the Illinois Department of Corrections to the Department of Central Management Services in July of 2014; and

WHEREAS, The closure has so far reportedly directly affected 355 jobs and indirectly affected 128 jobs; and

WHEREAS, According to a University of Illinois study in 2012, such a closing would have a potential negative impact to the local economy of more than $50 million; and

WHEREAS, According to a report by the John Howard Association, the closure has exacerbated overcrowding and has not generated any costs savings for the State; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Department of Corrections claims that as much as $48 million has been saved by the closing of the Dwight Correctional Center; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Auditor General is directed to conduct an audit of the closing of the Dwight Correctional Center; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the audit include, but not be limited to, determining the fiscal impact on the State of the Dwight Correctional Center closing; any cost savings achieved by the closing; and the impact the closure and transfer of inmates has made on the State's correctional system; and be it further

RESOLVED, That any State agency that may have information relevant to this audit shall cooperate fully and promptly with the Auditor General's Office in the conducting of its audit; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Auditor General commence this audit as soon as practical and report his findings and recommendations upon completion in accordance with the provisions of Section 3-14 of the Illinois State Auditing Act; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to the Auditor General.