CHICAGO – The federal government has agreed to buy the closed Thomson Correctional Center in western Illinois for $165 million after the sale was held up for nearly three years, state leaders announced Tuesday.

Many Illinois leaders – including U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and Gov. Pat Quinn who spoke to The Associated Press ahead of a news conference to announce the sale – supported the purchase because they said it would bring up to 1,100 jobs to Illinois. Federal officials, including Attorney General Eric Holder, said it would help alleviate prison overcrowding.

“It means a prison that has been sitting here empty will be used again and create a lot of opportunity for working families in the areas,” Durbin said.