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Lack of funds stalls Thomson prison startup
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It remains unclear when Thomson Correctional Center will open as a federal prison, with money needed for construction upgrades unlikely to become available until October. Purchased by the federal government for $165 million last year after sitting largely vacant for the past decade, the prison awaits another $67 million in activation funding before it can open Bureau of Prisons activation coordinator Cathi Litcher gave Thomson's village board an update on the prison progress at a meeting on Monday. "There is no activation or operational funding identified in the Congressional fiscal year budget for 2013 in support of the opening of the Thomson facility by the federal Bureau of Prisons," an emailed statement to village board members said. "Also, the agency isn't aware of the final funding situation for Thomson during fiscal year 2014. Until the federal budget is passed, for either year, the BOP isn't aware of the funding levels in support of the activation or operation of the Thomson institution," the statement said. The prison is expected to create 1,100 federal jobs when fully operational. So far, two maintenance positions have been filled, Thomson village board member Linda Foltz said. U.S. Sen Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said the expected inclusion of money in President Obama's budget request for the fiscal year that begins on Oct. 1 should allow construction upgrades to be completed. "Even with the spending cuts we are facing in Washington over the next six to eight months, they are making progress at the facility," a statement from Sen. Durbin said. "The next step is for the President to include funding for activation of Thomson prison in his budget for 2014, which will allow the Bureau of Prisons to move forward with upgrades and construction." Workshops will be held in the coming months to help area businesses compete for federal government contracts connected to the prison. The prison was built in 2001 but funding problems kept the state from fully opening it. Federal officials bought the 1,600-cell facility last October to ease overcrowding in the federal system. 
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Today is Wednesday, May 22, the 142nd day of 2013. There are 223 days left in the year.
1863 -- 150 years ago: Large quantities of ice from LaCrosse and Lake Pepin are beingshipped on ice boats, towed by steamers to St. Louis and points below.
1888 -- 125 years ago: With the Mississippi River at 18 feet above the low water stage,Rock Island is waging a valiant fight to keep the river from flooding the entire city.
1913 -- 100 years ago: Approval has been given by the city commission for paving 45thStreet between 7th and 11th Avenues.
1938 -- 75 years ago: Herndon Wright, of East Moline, has won the discus-throw title, by aheave of more than 140 feet, to set a new high school record at Champaign.
1963 -- 50 years ago: With the Selective Service Law recently extended by Congress forfour more years, Mrs. Hazel Doris reminded young men that they must register withinfive days after attaining their 18th birthday.
1988 -- 25 years ago: Over 500 Quad-Cities area retired volunteers were honoredrecently for their community services at a Retired Senior Volunteer Program luncheonat Palmer Auditorium in Davenport. Guest speaker, William Moffitt, director of productengineering of Deere & Co., spoke about leadership and stressed the importance ofcommunity volunteers.
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