The state claimed that the 120-acre parcel was too expensive. Louise Anthony, a leader of the Pembroke Advocates for Truth (PAT), the group that spearheaded the anti-prison campaign, dismissed the state's explanation. "They knew the cost when everything began. I think our fight had a very significant impact. We made a clear statement that we are a community that does not want a prison," Anthony said.

The rejected site is adjacent to the farm of Pamela Basu and Basu, which produces organic produce and grain, the largest farm in the Pembroke Farmers Cooperative. They maintain that the prison would have ruined their ability to continue organic farming.

Pembroke Township is an overwhelmingly Black rural community located about 60 miles south of Chicago. Leaders of PAT explain that their community has been subjected to years of discrimination in the way the local tax structure is organized, where schools have been located, and lack of infrastructure improvements and other government services.

The prison has been touted by some local officials as a job and infrastructure producing industry. At a June town meeting hosted by PAT, township resident Thesley Beverley exclaimed, "All of a sudden this money comes up in connection with a prison. It is a disgrace. It is just going to enslave our people in our injustice system. I would not be happy to have better roads and infrastructure if we have to sacrifice our people."

According to media reports, state officials are still considering other sites in Pembroke Township for the prison and plan to break ground in April. While viewing the decision to not locate the prison next to the Basu farm as a big victory, PAT leader Anthony pledged to continue fighting against the location of the prison anywhere in the area. "I started fighting the prison because it is a prison. It doesn't matter where it is located," she said.

Pamela Basu, who says she was fired from her job as the Village of Hopkins Park's treasurer due to her vocal opposition to the prison, continues to fight to win her job back.

She was fired after Tony Perry, a wealthy land developer with ties to the state's governor, wrote a letter to the village mayor demanding her dismissal. Perry orchestrated the local bid for the prison. Basu filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging her constitutional rights were violated when she was fired.  
 
 
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