So much for the competition with Florence, Colo for Gitmo inmates

Sounds like the deal was done on bringing Gitmo detainees to Illinois.

***BREAKING***

Associated Press: Quinn Misleads Illinois on GITMO

Despite Quinn’s claim, AP reports Colorado officials were never contacted on possible GITMO transfer

Durbin, Quinn also claimed moving GITMO would create 3,000 jobs, but Bureau of Prisons says it would only hire between 450 and 500 with no preference for immediate area

CHICAGO – Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady today expressed his disappointment in Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and Senator Dick Durbin’s deliberate attempts to mislead the public on the plan to move a terrorist detention facility from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to Illinois.

Just hours ago, the Associated Press reported that “Colorado officials have not been contacted by the federal government about housing Guantanamo Bay detainees at federal prisons in the state, despite public comments that a facility in Florence is under consideration.”

While Quinn said a federal prison in Florence, Colo., and another facility in Montana were competing with Illinois over the GITMO move, “Colorado officials said they haven't been contacted by the federal government regarding housing Guantanamo prisoners in the state.”

Quinn and Durbin have also misled Illinois citizens about the number of jobs the Thomson plan would create. The Illinois Democrats repeatedly told reporters that the plan would create roughly 3,000 new jobs. But in a press release distributed this morning, members of the Illinois congressional delegation reported that only 450 to 500 jobs would be created – with no guarantee those jobs would go to local communities:

“According to a congressional briefing from officials at the Department of Defense and the Bureau of Prisons, between 450 and 500 new employees would be hired at annual salaries of $37,000 to $47,000 at the Thomson Correctional Center. However, no hiring preference is given to residents from the surrounding area. Local residents would compete against applicants from across the country. Additionally, new hires must be under the age of 37, and must be or become law enforcement officers.”

“While downplaying the security threats posed to Illinois by moving GITMO to our state, Governor Quinn has no problem exaggerating the move’s economic impact or hyping a perceived competition,” Chairman Brady said. “Instead of looking out for our state’s best interest, Democrats will do whatever it takes to cover up their total mismanagement of the Illinois economy. Governor Quinn and Senator Durbin should stop playing politics with our security.”