VIDEO: Rep. Wilhour, Legislators, Labor, Chamber, & Local Leaders Unite to Save Vandalia Prison
June 27, 2022
Rep. Blaine Wilhour thanks area leaders, Vandalia Correctional staff and families to the Town Hall meeting at Kaskaskia College Vandalia Center on June 22, 2022.
Rep. Blaine Wilhour welcomes attendees to the Vandalia Town Hall to discuss the future of the Vandalia Correctional Center.
State Representative Blaine Wilhour and State Senator Jason Plummer hosted a town hall meeting last week to discuss the issues surrounding the rumors that the Department of Corrections (IDOC) and Governor Pritzker have plans to close the Vandalia Correctional Center. Joining local legislators were leaders of Local AFSCME Union 203, Regional AFSCME Director of AFSCME Council 31, Mayor Ricky Gottman, Chamber of Commerce leadership, State Senator Terry Bryant, a former employee of DOC who spoke about the inner workings of prisons in Illinois and State Senator Steve McClure who spoke on the Prisoner Review Board and the early release of convicted inmates.
You may watch the entire town hall event at this link.
Ryan Tompkins, President of Local Union 203 (AFSCME) spoke on behalf of the the staff and the impact of IDOC’s plans to reduce the inmate population and close down Vandalia Correctional Center.
Kaskaskia College hosted the Vandalia Town Hall meeting attended by 100+ prison employees, families, and community leaders.
Vandalia Mayor Ricky Gottman addressed the crowd about the City’s commitment to fighting the closure of the Vandalia Correctional Center.
Eddie Caumiant, Regional Director, spoke on behalf of the AFSCME Council 31, AFL-CIO.
Fayette County Sheriff R. David Russell during the Q & A Session spoke of the impact of the possible closing of Vandalia Prison and early release of inmates on local crime.
Fayette County Chamber of Commerce president, xx, conveys their commitment to fighting the closure of the Vandalia Correctional Center and the negative impact on the local and regional economy with a loss of jobs, businesses, and local families.
