THOMSON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin confirmed Thursday that the Thomson Correctional Center has hired a small number of its workers.
Durbin spoke at an Illinois Democratic rally at the Moline Vikings Club. State Senator Mike Jacobs says that the Bureau of Prisons is continually making progress.
"People can go and apply for jobs," Jacobs said. "People need to understand, the Thomson Correctional Center is not only looking for guards. They're looking for all kinds of positions."
The website usajobs.gov posted three Thomson Correctional jobs Thursday. The center needs an electronics technician, a locksmith, plus an air conditioning supervisor.
"These are good paying jobs," Durbin said. "These are important jobs in corrections and law enforcement. There will be good compensation."
The starting salary for the technician and locksmith is about $55,000. Applicants must be 36 and under. Jacobs said that many of the jobs include 'hazardous pay.' Durbin touted the success of the Oct. 2nd prison sale. That day, Illinois announced that the Bureau of Prisons had finally bought the prison from the state.
"Thomson, Illinois is going to be the hub of economic activity," Durbin said to the crowd. "Everybody's going to want to move to Thomson," he joked.
There is still no word on when the prison will open. Jacobs hopes the hiring process speeds up after the general election. The Bureau of Prisons is now in charge of the hiring. To view the website, click here. To see the jobs, you must click on 'Federal Employees' on the left side of the page.