State briefs

By Associated Press Writer TAMMY WEBBER (The Associated Press)

Created: Sunday, November 15, 2009 1:15 a.m. CST

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Guantanamo inmates might land in Illinois

CHICAGO – A White House official said the Obama administration was considering buying a northwestern Illinois prison to house a limited number of detainees from Guantanamo Bay, along with federal inmates.

The official said the federal Bureau of Prisons evaluated several state and federal facilities and the maximum-security Thomson Correctional Facility emerged as a leading option to house Guantanamo detainees.

Workshops offer help planning for tuition

CHICAGO – A state agency is lending a hand to families fearful about how they’ll pay education costs.

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission is offering free workshops to help parents map out strategies to pay college and other tuition costs. Among the topics that’ll be addressed is how to file for student aid.

Workshops are scheduled for Toulon, Chicago, Romeoville, Highland and Grayslake.

Thousands sought to fill 2010 Census jobs

CHICAGO – The U.S. Census Bureau is looking for thousands of people to work in temporary jobs across Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.

The jobs involve going door-to-door to interview residents.

Job applicants are required to take a skills test and undergo a background check.

– Wire reports