Plummer Visits with Corrections Employees in Murphysboro

Statement

Jason Plummer, Republican Nominee for Illinois' 12th Congressional District, met with employees at the Murphysboro Youth Center on Wednesday morning as part of his District-wide truck tour.

The Murphysboro Youth Center is one of three Illinois Corrections facilities in the 12th Congressional District that is scheduled to be closed for budgetary purposes. More than 50 employees continue to work at the Murphysboro facility even though the last prisoners were transferred to other centers weeks ago.

"The manner and schedule the state is using to close the Youth Center is an example of the lack of common sense in government," Plummer said. "Instead of making serious budget cuts, bureaucrats transferred the prisoners out of Murphysboro, leaving dozens of employees working at an empty, 15-year-old facility, while millions of dollars are being spent to renovate a much older prison in Northern Illinois."

Plummer added that in Congress, he would work with state and local leaders to protect working Southern Illinois families.

"There's no question that the state must make cuts to balance its budget, but the announced closures unfairly target Southern Illinois," Plummer said. "We have a tremendous facility and staff in Murphysboro that are not being utilized due to career politicians not having a plan.

"As Congressman, I will work with leaders on both sides of the aisle to promote common sense policies that benefit Southern Illinois," Plummer added.

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