Congressman Manzullo on the Real Danger of Gitmo in Illinois
November 20, 2009

Rep. Don Manzullo (IL) was interviewed by Human Events' Elisabeth Meinecke recently regarding the transfter of Gitmo detainees to his Illinois district. Here's what he had to say:

Rep. Don Manzullo (R-Ill.) is the man responsible for northwestern Illinois’ interests in the U.S. House.  His constituency includes Carroll County, where the Thomson Correction Center -- potential new home of the Gitmo detainees -- is located.

News reports from the AP to Northwestern University’s Medill Reports quote several locals as anxious for the prison to open because Thomson needs the jobs.

But while Manzullo is looking at 10.5 percent unemployment in Carroll County alone, he’s also looking at an unprecedented risk to any representatives’ constituents.  He says their reactions are mixed but that probably more are opposed than support the Gitmo relocation plan.

Manzullo is sending a letter to President Obama asking that the federal government buy the prison for its use, but to not bring Gitmo detainees there.  

What concerns Manzullo is not a prison break, but that the administration is essentially moving Gitmo, not closing it.

“The problem is that that will make Thomson…a magnet for the very same people that hate Gitmo,” Manzullo said.  “Would their hate transfer?”

Manzullo said the Department of Defense could not answer that question.

Read the rest here.