Battle Over Prison Shutdowns Continues

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The battle goes on over Gov. Quinn's plan to close seven correctional facilities as a money saying measure

An arbitrator ruled that the state followed the rules on negotiating about the closures with the union that represents prison employees.

Now, the state is asking a judge to clear the way for the closings while the union is asking a different judge to keep that from happening.

The union insists safety will be compromised by the closings, but the arbitrator rejected that argument.

The dispute is likely to continue.

Even without court action, union officials say they have the right to enter into a different type of arbitration affecting public safety workers who are not allowed to strike.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Bob Conway Reports