HILLSDALE, Ill. – Continuing his effort to keep quality facilities open and good-paying jobs in the region, state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, is urging Governor Rauner to keep the Illinois Youth Center facility in Kewanee open.
"The IYC in Kewanee helps many young people reform their lives and return to society ready to be more responsible and productive," Smiddy said. "Illinois can't afford to lose the services provided at this facility."
IYC Kewanee is an Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice facility that houses youth offenders. The Department has indicated its intention to close facility on June 1. The Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability is scheduled to release their report upon the impact of this closing on May 3. IYC Kewanee supports over 200 jobs in the area which would disappear if the facility closes. Smiddy has joined a bipartisan group of legislators and area community leaders in opposition to the governor's intention to close the center.
"In addition to providing a safe place for young people to turn their lives around, IYC Kewanee provides many quality jobs to hardworking professionals in our region, and our community needs these jobs to continue to support our local economy," Smiddy said. "I urge Governor Rauner to reconsider this short-sighted proposal and keep this facility, and the jobs in supports, alive in our region."
For more information, contact Smiddy’s full-time constituent service office at 309-848-9098 or email RepSmiddy@gmail.com.
# # #
