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Illinois Prison Chief Considering Media Tours

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn's corrections chief is reconsidering requests from media outlets for tours of state prisons.

Corrections spokeswoman Stacey Solano said in an email Wednesday night that prison director Tony Godinez (goh-DEE'-nez) is working to determine a manageable and appropriate way to conduct media visits.

It was not immediately clear whether Godinez could still decide against allowing tours.

Solano was responding to a question about why its Aug. 23 letter to Godinez seeking a visit to Pontiac prison was never answered.

Quinn wants to close two prisons to save money despite record overcrowding. He has said news reporters in prisons pose a security risk.

But the agency acknowledged that community college students from Normal toured the maximum-security Pontiac prison last week.

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