Judge Halts Closure of Tamms and Other Correctional Facilities

A southern Illinois judge is temporarily prohibiting Gov. Pat Quinn from closing state correctional facilities. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees says Circuit Judge Charles Cavaness in Alexander County granted the union's request for a temporary restraining order. The order keeps Quinn from closing prisons in Tamms and Dwight, and three halfway houses and youth detention centers in Joliet and Murphysboro. The ruling comes after an arbitrator issued an order Friday declaring that the Quinn administration couldn't shut prisons despite the budget crisis until officials complete bargaining with the union over the impact on workers. Quinn wanted most of the facilities closed Friday, but the arbitrator gave both sides a month to come to an agreement.