Illinois officials will hold a legislative hearing this month on a proposal to sell a prison. The federal government may buy the Thomson Correctional Center to house Guantanamo Bay detainees.

The Illinois corrections department is moving forward with the possible closure of the mostly unused penitentiary in northwestern Illinois. It submitted the paperwork that sets in motion the process for closing a state facility.

In the documents, head of the state prison system Michael Randle recommends closing the maximum security prison. But he stresses that doesn’t mean the federal government made the decision to buy it.

Still, the recommendation has triggered action. Beginning with a hearing just set for later this month. On December 22, the bipartisan legislative commission charged with making a recommendation of its own will meet near the prison, in Sterling.

Commission Director Dan Long says legislators will hear from the Illinois Corrections Department, prison workers’ unions, and the general public.

LONG: Also, there will be some officials from the federal government which will be able to answer questions, and brief them on the plans that the federal government has for that facility, if they decide to purchase it … which looks more and more likely.

Long says the commission members will also have the opportunity to first tour Thomson.