Both Governor Pat Quinn and AFSCME are asking a judge to rule in their favor, after an arbitrator’s decision in the dispute over prison closings.
The arbitrator ruled in favor of Quinn, who is seeking to close the Tamms and Dwight correctional centers. AFSCME had sued to block the shutdowns, saying they would increase overcrowding, and dangers, in other Illinois prisons.
The arbitrator says that although it would be wiser to keep all facilities open, the closures would NOT pose a clear and present danger to workers and do not violate the union contract.
In light of that ruling, Quinn has asked a judge to lift the injunction that was put in place earlier this fall, preventing him from going forward with the closures. But AFSCME is asking that the arbitrator’s decision be thrown out and the injunction kept in place.
There’s no word yet on when the courts may rule on either side’s request.
