SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed legislation that gives the Illinois Department of Corrections authority to sell the closed Hardin County Work Camp to Hardin County for $1.
The Southern Illinoisan reports that the move will let officials move forward with plans to reopen the Cave in Rock facility as a multi-county jail. Rauner signed the legislation Thursday.
Hardin County Sheriff Jerry Fricker has said the renovated facility would house between 75 and 100 beds and could be a revenue generator for the county. He says the facility could help surrounding counties that don’t have their own jails.
The camp once held 200 minimum-security prisoners. It was closed in August 2015 for budgetary reasons.