Senator Pat McGuire: Quinn Does Not Need to Close IYC-Joliet to Balance State Budget

Press Release from State Senator Pat McGuire on Governor Quinn's decision to close Illinois Youth Center-Joliet:

"Joliet, IL – State Senator Pat McGuire (D-Joliet) is expressing dismay over Governor Pat Quinn’s decision, leaked late Tuesday to close Illinois Youth Center (IYC) Joliet, despite the General Assembly having passed a balanced budget which includes funds to keep the facility open.

“My colleagues and I in the General Assembly believe keeping IYC Joliet open is a priority,” McGuire said.  “The governor claims that he needs to close IYC Joliet to balance the budget. Truth is, the budget adopted by the legislature is balanced. Furthermore, the funds appropriated for IYC Joliet can’t be spent on anything but corrections without the legislature’s permission. ”

IYC Joliet is the state’s only maximum-security facility for young male offenders, most of whom come from the Chicago area. “We need IYC Joliet to keep the public safe. The staff provides young men the services needed to turn away from a life of crime.  Proximity to Chicago makes trips to court and family visits feasible. The governor’s move to close IYC Joliet is risky, and it threatens hundreds of local residents’ jobs.” McGuire said.

Governor Quinn first proposed closing IYC Joliet in his February budget address.  Dozens of area elected leaders and community residents testified against the closing at an April 4 hearing in Joliet, and a bipartisan legislative commission later voted to keep the facility open. The General Assembly on the final day of its spring session passed a budget with money specifically earmarked to fund IYC Joliet for another year. 

The Quinn administration became embroiled in controversy when it violated state law by spending state money on closing IYC Joliet before the legislative commission’s vote.  The latest twist came June 19 when the governor’s Department of Corrections head sent out a memo announcing that Quinn intended to ignore the General Assembly and proceed with closing IYC Joliet, along with several other adult and youth correctional facilities.  That memo was later obtained by legislators and members of the press.

“I encourage the governor to visit IYC Joliet and the other facilities he wishes to close,” McGuire said. “The view from the governor’s office on the second floor of the State Capitol can be limiting. The governor needs to meet the staff and the families of the residents of these facilities and reconsider his decision to thwart the will of the General Assembly and the affected communities.”

McGuire Helps Kill Controversial Illinois Legislative Scholarship Program

Springfield, IL- State Senator Pat McGuire (D-Joliet) today joined his colleagues in the Illinois Senate and voted to end the controversial legislative scholarship program.  McGuire, in office for two months, chose not to participate in the scandal-ridden program and has vocally supported its abolition.

"Programs that aren't on the up-and-up have to go," McGuire said.  "Getting rid of legislative scholarships is an important step toward restoring confidence in Illinois government."

The Legislative Tuition Waiver Program allows each member of the General Assembly to send residents of their districts to Illinois' public universities for only the cost of room and board.   Although often referred to as a scholarship program, state universities actually receive no extra funding to cover the cost of students who receive these waivers.

The tuition waiver program has faced criticism over the past several years.  Legislators have allegedly awarded scholarships to elected officials' family members, personal friends, campaign donors, and even students who reside outside of their districts.

"The State of Illinois has better ways to spend its money than on legislative scholarships, and the General Assembly has more important issues to address," McGuire said.  "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."