A spokeswoman for Bruce Rauner says the Illinois governor is studying new uses for the Kewanee youth detention center after it closes. Rauner wants to close Kewanee because there are 420 youthful offenders in a system with 1,000 beds.
A bipartisan legislative oversight panel voted to oppose closing the 15-year-old facility. Peoria Republican state Sen. Chuck Weaver and Democratic state Rep. Mike Smiddy from Hillsdale argued Kewanee is the newest of youth centers and the most efficient to operate.
If closed, some want it used to house elderly adult inmates. Others want to ensure it won't be left abandoned and deteriorating.
A Rauner spokeswoman says the administration is exploring "alternative uses" including whether it might suit the Corrections Department.
