WASHINGTON–The Obama White House faced resistance this summer over the potential of sending Guantanamo Bay military prison detainees to Standish, Mich. or Leavenworth, Ks. That’s a reason they turned to the more receptive Illinois, the adopted home state of President Obama. Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. Roland Burris and Gov. Quinn–all Democrats–are welcoming the prospect of the federal government buying a little used Illinois super max prison for the detainees.
In contrast, last August, the GOP Kansas senators, Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback were so concerned about sending detainees to their state that they put a “hold” on the confirmation of Obama administration appointees until the White House gave them some answers. On Monday, four Illinois House members–Mark Kirk, Don Manzullo, Judy Biggert and Peter Roskam came out strong in opposition to bringing Gitmo prisoners
Read my overview on the developing story of whether the Thomson Correctional Center in northwest Illinois will be the new Gitmo North here.
