The main facility is getting a makeover, and its minimum security work camp is currently housing inmates.
That's according to Thomson Village President Vicky Trager.
The process of making the maximum-security federal prison fully functional has been a long road.
Illinois built the facility in 2001, but didn’t have enough funds to keep it running, so the federal Bureau of Prisons purchased it in 2012 and took over renovations.
Trager says officials are working on security upgrades and filling job positions.
“It continues to be a process," Trager said. "It’s sometimes a frustrating process because it seems to be proceeding at a snail’s pace. But I see progress.”
She also says she hopes to see the economy grow along with the prison.
“I’d love to see some more service businesses come to town [with] a lot of the folks coming in to work here," Trager said. "We need restaurants, we need shops, and we need retail here in Thomson.”
Trager says she expects a lot of movement at the facility this year.
