A panel of bi-partisan state lawmakers have recommended against Gov. Pat Quinn's plan to close six state facilities, including the controversial Tamm's supermax prison. The lawmakers are part of the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. Quinn proposed the closures in his budget proposal as a means to save the state money.

The legislators did support the closing of the Department of Children and Family Services office in Skokie and agreed that some closures are needed, but beyond the aforementioned facility, the group could not agree on other places to shutter.

Labor leaders are expressing their pleasure with the commission's recommendation against Quinn's plans, saying the lawmakers did a thorough job in making their decision.

“Unlike the governor, they toured the facilities, visited the communities and listened to testimony from employees, advocates, local officials, individuals and families,” Henry Bayer, executive director of ASCME Local 31, told the Chicago Tribune. “In stark contrast to the Quinn administration, they considered all the evidence, reached the sensible conclusion and rejected each of the closures.” The facility closures could lead to the loss of 2,000 state jobs, according to estimates.

Quinn is not obligated to follow the panel's recommendations.