Posted: 7:33 PM Sep 24, 2010

Immigration Detention Center
Hundreds of immigrant detainees may soon be housed in the Stateline.

OGLE COUNTY (WIFR) -- For the second time in eight years federal agents from immigration and customs enforcement or ICE are asking Ogle County leaders if they're interested in being home to a state holding center.

The more than 500 bed facility would hold both civil and criminal immigrant inmates from more than a dozen jails around the Chicago area. The structure could also replace the county's current jail in the future.

A private investor is looking into building the $35 million dollar center. The federal government would pay Ogle County for each inmate. Sheriff Greg Beitel says he supports the proposal.

"This has been a plan to try and fill for almost a decade and its not going to go away, that was the concern, where is the guarantee they are willing to negotiate a guarantee."

The same proposal came across Sheriff Beitel desk in 2002, but it was shot down by the county board months before construction crews broke ground. Just to be clear, this is a separate issue from Thomson prison.

If Ogle County is chosen the facility could create 200 jobs.

Sheriff Beitel must submit the proposal by October 8th.

http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/103759824.html