White House: Gitmo detainees off to Illinois

The White House announced today that it would acquire an Illinois prison for the future transfer of some of the Guantanamo detainees.

In a letter sent to Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, the Obama administration said that move would send an as of yet undetermined number of prisoners to the Thomson Correctional Center (TCC) as well as conduct military trials there. The action would "help achieve our goal of closing the detention center at Guantanamo in a timely, secure, and lawful manner," said the letter signed by several top officials including the Secretaries of Defense and State.

The decision has prompted the ire of Republicans including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell who dubbed the TCC as “Gitmo North.” Reaction in the town where the TCC is located was more mixed:

"We need help economically, and most folks think it's going to bring business," said Todd Baker, a 43-year-old who helps support four children with his Thomson bait and tackle shop…

"We have to get some use out of this prison," (Lewis Frosch) said. "I don't label myself a liberal, but I don't feel any great threat from it. The idea that we would somehow be a target seems like a lot of fuss over nothing to me"…

"I think al Qaeda terrorists ought to stay in Cuba," (State Sen. Kirk) Dillard of Hinsdale, Illinois, said during a Republican gubernatorial debate. He called the idea "pathetic," characterizing the move as a money-grab by Democrats.

Image- The Telegraph
Online Sources- AP, CNN, USA TODAY, Reuters