Peoria, IL... State Representative David Leitch (R-Peoria) today delivered the former Hanna City Work Camp deed to its rightful home: Peoria County.
"We were surprised one day to open the office mail and the deed dropped out," Leitch said.
"We know the deed is in good hands now," he said as he presented the deed to the Peoria County Board Facilities Committee.
The former Hanna City Work Camp was closed in 2002 by Governor George Ryan as a cost cutting measure.
County officials, including Sheriff Mike McCoy, have suggested a number of potential uses including law enforcement, jail overcrowding, officer training, mental health inmate housing, even as a future Bel-Wood Nursing Home site.
"Acquisition of this property provides the County Board with the flexibility to evaluate another important option within our long range planning framework as we address capital needs the Board has identified," said Patrick Urich, Peoria County Administrator.
Leitch sponsored legislation last year to secure the property. State Senators Dale Risinger and David Koehler carried the bill in the Senate.