McGuire Praises Governor’s Decision to End Controversial Legislative Scholarship Program

Springfield, IL- State Senator Pat McGuire (D-Joliet) praised the governor’s decision to sign legislation ending the controversial legislative scholarship program earlier today.  McGuire, who took office earlier this year, chose not to participate in the scandal-ridden program and has vocally supported its abolition.  He issued the following statement:

“Programs that aren’t on the up-and-up have to go.  Getting rid of legislative scholarships is an important step toward restoring confidence in Illinois government.  The State of Illinois has better ways to spend its money than on legislative scholarships.  We must work on making higher education affordable for everyone.  We also must make sure students graduate and are ready to work and make our state great again.”

McGuire Disappointed Over Partial IYC-Joliet Funding

Illinois State Senator Pat McGuire released the following press release regarding Gov. Quinn's decision to fund IYC-Joliet only through December 31, 2012:

"Joliet, IL – State Senator Pat McGuire (D-Joliet) is expressing disappointment over Governor Pat Quinn today cutting in half funding for Illinois Youth Center (IYC) Joliet. Quinn’s decision gives the facility funds to operate until approximately December 31, 2012.  The state’s new fiscal year begins tomorrow, July 1, 2012 and runs through June 30, 2013.

“I’m disappointed by the governor’s decision,” McGuire said.  “The General Assembly passed a balanced budget containing the money needed to keep IYC Joliet open throughout the next fiscal year. The governor cannot spend the appropriated funds on anything except public safety. IYC Joliet is essential to the public’s safety.”

IYC Joliet is the state’s only maximum security facility for young male offenders. It houses over 250 of Illinois’ most dangerous young male offenders, many in their late teens.  Just two days ago, an offender convicted of armed robbery got as far as the facility’s razor-wire fence in an attempted escape.

The administration has told McGuire it intends to move IYC Joliet residents to IYC St. Charles, a 106 year-old facility, and IYC Kewanee near the Quad Cities. The Quinn administration first announced a July 31 closing date for IYC Joliet. After an outcry from the public and legislators, the closing date was extended to October 31.  The governor’s action today postpones the closing to the end of 2012.

“The General Assembly reconvenes November 27,” McGuire said. “I’ll work with my Senate colleagues and Rep. Larry Walsh, Jr. to convince the governor to restore a full year’s funding for IYC Joliet during that veto session. After all, IYC Joliet’s staff, programs, and location make it the most appropriate place for maximum-security offenders to pay their debt to society and, we hope, turn away from a life of crime.”

McGuire Tours Joliet Illinois Youth Center, Urges Governor to Reconsider Closing

Joliet - State Senator Pat McGuire (D-Joliet) this afternoon toured the Illinois Youth Center (IYC) Joliet.  He was joined by a number of his colleagues, including State Senator Sue Rezin; State Representatives Jack McGuire, Emily McAsey, and Renée Kosel; Will County Executive Larry Walsh; and a representative from House Minority Leader Tom Cross' office.  After talking to Youth Center workers and discussing the likely consequences of closing the facility, Senator McGuire is urging the governor to reconsider his plan to close the juvenile detention center.

"The Illinois Youth Center Joliet is the state's only maximum security facility for young men," McGuire said.  "The Quinn administration's reasoning for closing it is that it is the 'most like an adult prison.'  But, the young men at IYC are behind bars for a reason.  They need to pay their debt to society, be held securely, and receive services to turn them away from a life of crime."

Governor Quinn included IYC Joliet in a list of dozens of facility closings in his budget proposal last month.  The governor's administration contends that closing the Joliet facility will save the state approximately $17 million per year.  The closing also would result in up to 235 area residents losing their jobs.

"There's no question we must cut spending this year," continued McGuire, who reduced his office's spending by approximately 10% when he served as Will County Treasurer.  "The question is are we making smart cuts?  Are we setting the right priorities?  Before we consider closing facilities, we need a firm plan to deal with the consequences.  I haven't yet received any such plan.  I have, however, spoken with IYC staff, whose skill and dedication impress me.  Both IYC staff and members of the public have told me that they worry about what closing IYC Joliet will do to community safety."

McGuire believes that the full General Assembly should have meaningful impact on the closure process, which is not currently the case.

"I am co-sponsoring legislation that will allow the General Assembly to vote on facility closures," McGuire said.  "The General Assembly currently has no substantive authority over closing multi-million dollar state facilities that employ hundreds of people."

Under current law, the governor proposes facility closures.  Then, the 12-member, bipartisan Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (CoGFA) makes a non-binding recommendation to accept or reject the governor's plan.  This recommendation is the only official input the General Assembly is allowed to make on facility closures.  The legislation McGuire is sponsoring, Senate Bill 3564, requires the General Assembly to approve or deny CoGFA's recommendation.  The General Assembly's decision would be final.

Pat McGuire to Replace AJ Wilhelmi as 43rd District State Senator

Pat McGuire has been chosen to replace AJ Wilhelmi as the State Senator for the Illinois 43rd State Senate District.  McGuire is the current Braidwood City Clerk and former Will County Treasurer.

Wilhelmi won the 43rd State Senate Seat 37,876 to 24, 276 over Republican Challenger Cedra Crenshaw in the 2010 election.

Here is a map of the current 43rd District, including which precinct went Democrat or Republican in 2010:

Map of 43rd State Senate District and 2010 election results by precinct

After the 2010 Census, the Illinois 43rd State Senate District was realigned and will look like this for the 2012 election: