Crest Hill Mayor Responds To Stateville Demolition Announcement

CREST HILL, IL — On Friday morning, Crest Hill's four-term Mayor Ray Soliman released a statement in regard to the governor's announcement that the 99-year-old Stateville Correctional Center is going to be torn down over the next few years.

The address for Stateville is 16830 South Broadway Street, Crest Hill.

"Yesterday afternoon, senior city officials were notified by the State of Illinois Department of Corrections that it is set to begin the process that could lead to the demolition, reconstruction, and potential expansion of the Stateville Correctional Center within the next three to five years," Soliman informed Joliet Patch.

"While the State has not yet finalized its plans for the Stateville facility, it has made it clear it is committed to working closely with all stakeholders that will be impacted by this potential project, including the City of Crest Hill. The City of Crest Hill looks forward to learning more details about the planned new, state-of-the art, Stateville Correctional Center and collaborating with the Department of Corrections to ensure local concerns are effectively addressed and the overall Stateville site is improved and enhanced in conjunction with this project."

Soliman said that Crest Hill is looking forward to working with the State of Illinois Department of Correction as the demolition and new construction moves ahead.

"We are optimistic that these improvements and new facility could produce economic development on some of the surrounding properties. We are also optimistic that this announcement will end the speculation and uncertainty of the future of this prison site," Soliman revealed.