During the 7:00 p.m. teleconference on Monday, February 4, 2013, the Village of Thomson, IL, Board members received encouraging information from Cathi Litcher, Site Coordinator for the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP.)
Thomson Correctional Facility was purchased by the Federal Government December 12, 2012.
It remains unopened, because no funds have been bugeted.
However,
- the Bureau has hired a guard service to protect the facility around the clock, throughout the week.
- On Wednesday, August 7, two staff members will begin work at the prison.
- Litcher stated FBOP wants the Village of Thomson to participate in a talent partnership to find qualified applicants for future jobs.
Litcher reported that 50% of the staff hires will be “local.” She explained this means anyone living within an hour-and-a-half commute to Thomson. That would include persons from the Quad Cities or Freeport, IL.
An earlier report had indicated 72% of new hires would be from the area.
Overall, the Department of Prisons employs 138,000 people. She stated these are good careers with good benefits. Litcher stressed applicants for jobs at Thomson Correctional Facility must have a record of good credit from paying their bills in a timely manner.
The current Federal budget expires Monday, September 30, and the new 2014 budget takes effect Tuesday, October 1, 2013. Hopefully, the monies to open the prison then will be available.
Two assistants from Illinois U. S. Senator Richard Durbin’s office, Kate Jennings and Bat Ellefritz, observed the conference.