--"The Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce applauds the federal acquisition of Thomson Correctional Center. The jobs and economic impact generated through utilizing the facility will produce a positive ripple effect throughout the region." -- Tara Barney, Chamber CEO.

-- "The bottom line is that this is a welcome development for our region, particularly those who have been struggling to find good jobs. ... We have been working together towards the same goal of reaching across the divide, finding a solution, and bringing these jobs to our area without moving detainees from Guantanamo to U.S. soil. -- Joint statement from U.S. Reps. Don Manzullo, R-Egan, Bobby Schilling, R-Colona, and Dave Loebsack, D-Mount Vernon.

-- "Today is a great day for northwestern Illinois. It comes as a result of hard work and cooperation from all parties involved in moving the sale forward. There is great potential here and putting the prison to use will create a positive domino effect in Carol, Whiteside, and Rock Island Counties." -- State Rep. Rich Morthland, R-Cordova.



-- "This is a great day for job creation in our area. Thomson has been empty since it was built. When the feds get it up and running and put more people to work, this will spill over to the local economy." -- State Sen. Mike Jacobs D-East Moline.

-- "Opening up Thomson Prison to federal inmates will bring more than 1,000 jobs and millions of dollars in new investments to this area and will alleviate the overcrowding in other maximum-security prisons thoughout the country. As long as no suspected terrorists from Guantanamo are moved here, I fully endorse the sale of Thomson to house federal inmates." -- U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill.

--"President Obama's unprecedented directive to Attorney General Holder to circumvent Congress to purchase Thomson prison is deeply troubling. It directly violates the clear objection of the House Appropriations Committee and goes against the bipartisan objections of members in the House and Senate, who have noted that approving this request would allow Thomson to take precedence over previously funded prisons in Alabama, Mississippi, West Virginia and New Hampshire." -- U. S. Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., who delayed the sale.