Senator Fowler hosted bill legislation presentation; Plans being made to repurpose former Work Camp as the Hardin County Detention Center
By Jennifer Lane
Editor
Illinois State Senator Dale Fowler invited the public and local officials to a special ceremony where House Bill 3274, legislation for the Hardin County Work Camp, was presented to Sheriff Jerry T. Fricker and his department Friday, January 18, 2019 at the former Hardin County Work Camp in Cave In Rock. Former Governor Rauner signed the legislation January 10, permitting the County of Hardin to purchase the Hardin County Work Camp facility and property for only $1.00. Now that the county owns the property, the Hardin County Sheriff’s Department can move forward with plans for the anticipated project to repurpose the facility into the Hardin County Detention Center.
“The Hardin County Work Camp closed approximately three years ago. It’s taking a facility that was taken away and we’re bringing it back,” said Sen. Fowler. “It’s very important to all of us, I know. It was a huge loss to the county of Hardin and Southern Illinois, as a whole, when this facility closed. To have an opportunity to repurpose this facility is a step in the right direction.”
The anticipated Hardin County Detention Center is planned to be capable of housing 100 female and male inmates and offer 30 more jobs to Hardin County. The new detention center is expected to generate revenue…
