Some observers say it is the classic case of trying to unload a state prison to the federal government. The state of Illinois is strapped for cash and does not have the money to fully staff the Thomson Correctional Facility.

Now, the federal government has expressed an interest in buying the prison and housing some terror suspects there. The detainees are currently being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The President of the Thomson Village Board thinks this is a one shot deal. Duke Hebeler is concerned that some people are opposed to housng terror suspects at Thomson because they think it poses a security threat. Hebeler does not believe that security will be compromised if the detainees are placed at Thomson.

He says the opportunity to sell the state prison to the feds is a one shot deal. He thinks if the possible sale does not go through, the prison will stay open with less than 200 minimum security inmates.

Thomson was built several years ago, and has never been fully stafffed because of budget problems in Illinois.