Quinn Officials Will Halt Prison Remodeling

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn's administration is halting work on a juvenile detention center some lawmakers thought was illegal.

Department of Juvenile Justice spokesman Kendall Marlowe said Thursday afternoon that the agency will halt remodeling the Illinois Youth Center at St. Charles "out of deference'' to lawmakers.

The legislative Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability thought the $4 million project was accelerated to accommodate new detainees currently housed at the Joliet youth center. That would violate the closure law.

Quinn plans to close the Joliet center and other state-run facilities to save money. The legislative commission has an advisory say in the matter and suggested halting the work on St. Charles.

Marlowe says the justice agency maintains the work is not illegal but will not start it until plans are finalized.