A proposed deal to house inmates from Guantanamo Bay in a prison in north western Illinois could bring as many as 4000 jobs to the area, according to Democrat lawmakers who are in support of the plan. Their Republican counterparts are opposed to the deal, citing concern for the hazards of bringing terrorism suspects into the state and skepticism at economic impacts.

At issue is a prison in Thomson, Illinois, that was built with 1600 cells in 2001 by the state, but has never fully opened due to budget issues. It currently houses 200 minimum security inmates. Converting it to a federal prison would allow for the housing of additional inmates and would create both short term and long term jobs, most of which would be filled by local residents.