'Since Friday's announcement that President Barack Obama was eyeing a north western Illinois prison to house Guantonomo detainees, Republican lawmakers have been pointing out the flaws in the idea. Upon his election Obama promised to close down the controversial prison in Cba that houses suspected terrorists captured in the War on Terror.

On Monday Republican members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation, including Peter Roskam and Judy Biggert who both represent portions of DuPage County, rallied in downtown Chicago expressing their opposition and raising questions about potential security issues for the people of Illinois - issues that Illinois Democrats have largely decried as "scare tactics."

In a joint statement the concerned members of Congress said:

"If your Administration brings Al Qaeda terrorists to Illinois, our state and the Chicago Metropolitan Area will become ground zero for Jihadist terrorist plots, recruitment and radicalization. Al Qaeda terrorists should stay where they cannot endanger American citizens."

Roskam said the plan would make Illinois a target for potential acts of terrorism in attempts to seek the release of captured terrorists.

"Al Qaida terrorists have no place in northern Illinois," Roskam said. Roskam and the other Republicans say it will be safer to keep the terror suspects off of American soil.

Biggert called it a "nightmare" scenario.

According to the Daily Herald Rep. Mark Kirk, also a Republican candidate for Senate, is concerned that the detainees would be allowed to have visitors who might be terrorists. He said moving the suspected terrorists to Illinois only invites danger to the citizens. Kirk also expressed concerns that the Thomson facility would become the site for terrorist trials.

Gov. Pat Quinn and Sen. Dick Durbin are confident the prison will be adequate in securing as well as protecting the terrorists. They are also confident housing the terrorists in Thomson will revitalize the economy in that area.