CARBONDALE - State Sen. Christine Radogno, R-Lemont, visited Southern Illinois University Carbondale on Wednesday to talk about the budget and goings on in the Legislature.

Radogno, the senate Republican minority leader, took time before the speech to meet with the press at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. David Yepsen, director of the institute, said the visit was a "great opportunity for people to hear the leader of the Legislature."

One of the topics she covered was the movement of Guantanamo detainees to Thomson Correctional Center.

Radogno said she is against moving detainees to Thomson Correctional Center, which is not being used to capacity, or the federal prison in Marion. She said she does not think Guantanamo should be closed in the first place, and its detainees should not set foot on American soil. She also believes it could make the area a target to terrorism.

As far as stimulus money, she said she has seen some good come out of it, especially with roadwork.

"In some areas, it actually has put some people to work," Radogno said.

However, she said the state cannot rely on the money and needs a comprehensive plan to get through the financial crisis.

When it comes to changing the balance of power in Springfield, she said there are several Republican gubernatorial candidates that she feels would be good for the job but does not think the number of candidates will divide the party

codell.rodriguez@thesouthern.com

618-351-5804