By AP/St. Louis Public Radio
Thomson, Ill. – Supporters and opponents of a White House plan to transfer terrorism suspects from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to an underused prison in northwestern Illinois will converge on a high school auditorium Tuesday for the state's first, and possibly only public hearing on the issue.
Both sides plan rallies before the meeting convenes in the town of Sterling.
About 50 people are scheduled to testify before a state legislative panel about Gov. Pat Quinn's push to sell the nearby Thomson Correctional Center to the federal government.
The 12-member commission could vote soon on a recommendation to sell Thomson. But even if they oppose it, the recommendation is not binding.