Quinn Wants to Direct Prison Funding to DCFS

Governor intends to veto spending lawmakers allocated to prisons he wants closed

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn reportedly wants to redirect money allocated in the budget for prisons to the Department of Children and Family Services.

"For the General Assembly to fully fund that, but underfund the Department of Children and Family Services, I don’t think that’s a good call on priorities," he told the Chicago Tribune on Friday. “I think the priority is children, not a half-empty prison.”

Legislators cut $50 million from DCFS' budget.

The Chicago Democrat has previously stated he wants to close the prisons at Dwight and Tamms. However, he's also offered Tamms up to the federal government in a move that could keep the 500-bed facility open.

Quinn is able to refuse money budgeted by the General Assembly, but needs their approval to redirect the funds.

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