NO Thomson Prison
De-Incarceration Walk
Chicago to Thomson, IL 150 miles May 28 – June 11, 2016
Walk with us in this campaign to oppose the newest administrative supermax federal prison – ADX Thomson. Although Illinois is poised to pass a state law restricting the use of solitary confinement, the federal bureau of prisons will double its number of isolation cells by adding 1,900 of them in Thomson. We also must oppose Thomson as a future location to warehouse the 91 remaining Guanatanamo detainees because the only legal and correct policy is to release prisoners who are not being charged with a crime.
Roles in the walk:
Walkers
Sign Makers
Media Spokespeople
Meal Preparers
Drivers/Carpoolers
Overnight hosts
Event Attendees
Rally Attendees for June 11 closing rally at site of Thomson prison (please inquire about carpools)
Tentative Daily Walk Destinations in Illinois
May 28: Austin Avenue
May 29: Wheaton
May 30: (Rest Day)
May 31: Geneva
June 1: Elburn
June 2: DeKalb
June 3: (Rest Day)
June 4: Rochelle
June 5: Chana
June 6: Oregon
June 7: (Rest Day)
June 8: Polo
June 9: Milledgeville
June 10: Thomson
Events
May 28: 1pm Start of the Walk- Press conference at Federal Bureau of Prisons Building / 71 W Van Buren St / Chicago 60605
May 28: 7pm Third Unitarian Church / 301 N Mayfield Ave / Chicago 60644
May 29: 7pm St. Matthew United Church of Christ / 1420 S Gables Blvd / Wheaton 60189
May 31: 7pm Unitarian Universalist Society / 102 S 2nd St / Geneva 60134
June 1: 7:30pm First Congregational Church / 321 Hamilton St / Geneva 60134
June 2: 7pm Unitarian Universalist Fellowship / 158 N 4th St / DeKalb 60115
June 3: 6pm New Hope Missionary Baptist Church / 1201 Twombly Rd / DeKalb 60115
June 9: 4pm Milledgeville Library / 18 W 5th St / Milledgeville 61051
June 11: 1pm Rally at Thomson Prison / 1100 1-mile Rd / Thomson 61285
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I join one day?
Please do. There are many ways to access the walk by public transit (or drive to us and take it back to your car). See below for a list of stations we pass. We’ll also have a van to shuttle people short distances.
Are we carrying all of our gear on the walk?
No, we will have vans to transport personal baggage and tents. Tired walkers can also ride in a vehicle.
Where do we sleep?
Walkers will be housed in either one large home or church or will be split up in small groups to stay in various private homes in the same area. There may be opportunities to camp some nights at a campground or in a private yard, weather permitting. Please let us know about any allergies you have, so we can plan accordingly.
What is the climate like in June?
The weather is difficult to predict. You should be prepared for northern Illinois to be warm or hot, fluctuating between 65-95 degrees Fahrenheit and humid. Rainstorms are not uncommon.
What is the range of miles we are walking each day?
We try to keep an ideal pace of 11-14 miles per day. Our maximum daily mileage is 17 miles. A support van will stay close to the walk to provide a resting area for walkers who get tired.
What train/bus stations can I use to get to/from the walk?
May 28 – CTA blue line, green line, #126 bus and #20 bus; Metra Oak Park station
May 29 – CTA green line stations; Pace #310 bus; Oak Park, Lombard, Glen Ellyn, College Ave, and Wheaton Metra stations
May 31 – Wheaton, Winfield, West Chicago, and Geneva Metra Stations
June 1 – Geneva, La Fox, and Elburn Metra Stations
June 2 – Elburn Metra; DeKalb Greyhound
June 4 – DeKalb Greyhound
From June 5-10, we may be able to arrange a pick-up from DeKalb or Dixon Greyhound stations.
Is there an expected contribution? What does it cover?
We are proposing a very modest walk fee of $5 per person per day. This is to defray some of our expenses related to support vehicles, food and water.
How is food and water managed?
Overnight hosts may provide dinners and breakfasts, but if not, VCNV will provide these meals. We will stop walking to eat a light lunch every day. Meals we provide will usually consist of inexpensive grocery items requiring minimal preparation, such as ingredients for cold sandwiches. Vegan/vegetarian food will be available. Walkers can suggest items to be bought on grocery runs. Food bought for personal use at a store or at a restaurant will be at the individual walker’s expense. The support van will have plenty of water in large coolers and jugs from which bottles or cups can be filled.
For more information, please call or email the Voices office.
Route
May 28 – 8.1 mi
Start 1:15pm
Federal Bureau of Prisons Building
71 W Van Buren St, Chicago 60605
Head west on Van Buren St
0.3 mi
1:20pm
Turn right onto S Wacker Dr
0.3 mi
1:25pm
Turn left onto W Madison Blvd
4.2 mi
3:00pm
Arrive Garfield Park – turn left on path that leads to circular building with green dome – snack and water break
0.1 mi
3:15pm
Take path north to Washington Blvd
0.2 mi
3:20pm
Turn left onto W Washington Blvd
2.7 mi
4:25pm
Turn right onto S Mayfield Ave
0.3 mi
4:30pm
Destination will be on the right
Third Unitarian Church
301 North Mayfield Avenue, Chicago, IL 60644
May 29 – 16.8/19.5 mi
Start 8:15am
Third Unitarian Church
301 North Mayfield Avenue, Chicago, IL 60644
Head north on N Mayfield Ave
460 ft
8:25
Turn left onto W Corcoran Pl
0.1 mi
8:30am
At Austin CTA Station (green line), continue straight onto South Blvd
1.5 mi
9:00am
At Harlem CTA station (green line), continue straight onto Circle Ave
0.4 mi
9:10
Turn right onto Randolph St
0.3 mi
9:15
Continue straight onto Washington Blvd
3.7 mi
10:55am
Slight left onto Butterfield Rd
0.3 mi
11:00am
Turn right onto Illinois Prairie Path – Main Stem
Continue to follow Illinois Prairie Path
4.0 mi
12:30 Lunch Stop
220 S Villa Ave, Villa Park, IL 60181
1:30pm
Continue to follow Illinois Prairie Path
5.0 mi
3:15pm
Arrive at Glen Ellyn Metra station (WB train – 3:25)
Continue on Illinois Prairie Path – Main Stem
2.7 mi
4:30pm
Arrive at Wheaton Metra Station
Continue west on Illinois Prairie Path (along Liberty St)
0.3 mi
4:35pm
Turn left onto Illinois Prairie Path – Aurora (south) Stem
1.1 mi
5:00pm
Destination will be on the right
St. Matthew United Church of Christ
1420 South Gables Boulevard, Wheaton, IL 60189
May 30 – Memorial Day IVAW/VFP Vigil (downtown Chicago)
May 31 – 12.3 mi
Start 9:45am
St. Matthew United Church of Christ
1420 South Gables Boulevard, Wheaton, IL 60189
Head north on Illinois Prairie Path – Aurora (south) Stem
1.1 mi
10:15am
Continue straight (north) onto Illinois Prairie Path – Elgin (north) Stem
1.3 mi
Pass near Wheaton Metra Station
10:45am
Turn left onto Jewell Rd
1.3 mi
11:15am
Continue straight onto High Lake Rd
1.6 mi
Pass near Winfield Metra Station
12:00pm
Bend right onto N Prince Crossing Rd
0.4 mi
12:15pm
Turn left onto Main St
1.1 mi
12:30-1:00 Lunch at Park near West Chicago Metra Sta.
1:15pm
Turn left onto W Washington St
1.7 mi
2:00pm
Turn right onto IL-38 W/W Roosevelt Rd
3.8 mi
3:30pm
Turn left onto S 2nd St
470 ft
Destination will be on the right
Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva
110 South 2nd Street, Geneva, IL 60134
June 1 – 8.9 mi
Start – 9:00am
Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva
110 South 2nd Street, Geneva, IL 60134
Head south on S 2nd St
300 ft
Turn right onto Campbell St
380 ft
Turn left onto S 3rd St
0.2 mi
9:15am
Turn right onto South St
1.4 mi
Pass near Geneva Metra Station
9:45am
Turn right onto Gary Ln
140 ft
9:45am
Turn left onto Keslinger Rd
6.1 mi
10:45 Pass near La Fox Metra Station
11:45am
Turn right onto E Railroad Ave / Anderson Rd
0.3 mi
11:50am
Turn left onto E Railroad Ave
0.8 mi
12:00pm
Destination will be on the right
Elburn Metra Platform (EB train 12:25pm)
422 E Railroad Ave, Elburn, IL 60119
June 2 – 15.7 mi
Start 9:06am (train leaves Geneva 8:46; leaves Chicago Ogilvie at 7:40)
Elburn Metra Platform
422 E Railroad Ave, Elburn, IL 60119
Head west on Pedestrian Path / E Kansas St
0.4 mi
Turn right onto S Main St
0.2 mi
Turn left onto E North St
0.3 mi
Turn left onto N Grasslands Trail
0.8 mi
At Trail marker 7, turn right onto Elburn Forest Preserve Trail
0.4 mi
Turn left on IL-38 W
13.9 mi
Turn right onto S 4th St
320 ft
Destination will be on the right
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
158 North 4th Street, DeKalb, IL 60115
June 3 – break day
June 4 – 16.5 mi
Start
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
158 North 4th Street, DeKalb, IL 60115
Head south on 4th St
0.1 mi
Turn right on IL-38 W
16.4 mi
Turn left onto N 7th St
370 ft
Destination will be on the left
Colonnade Motel
1079 N 7th St, Rochelle, IL 61068
June 5 – 11.3 mi
Start
Colonnade Motel
1079 N 7th St, Rochelle, IL 61068
Head north on N 7th St
0.6 mi
Turn left onto Flagg Rd
4.3 mi
Turn right onto S Skare Rd
2.2 mi
Turn left onto E Grist Mill Rd
3.6 mi
Turn right onto S Chana Rd
0.6 mi
Turn left onto Center Ave
350 ft
Arrive
Center & Main Streets, Chana, IL
June 6 – 7.3 mi
Start
Center & Main Streets, Chana, IL
Head west on Center Ave
0.1 mi
Bend right onto West St
0.2 mi
Turn left onto E Honey Creek Rd
1.0 mi
Turn right onto S Rocky Hollow Rd
0.9 mi
Turn left onto E Rasmussen Rd
0.5 mi
Turn right onto E Pine Rock Rd
1.0 mi
Turn left onto IL-64 W
3.5 mi
Arrive
4th and Washington Streets, Oregon, IL
June 7 – break day
June 8 – 14.2 mi
Start
4th and Washington Streets, Oregon, IL
Head south on S 4th St
0.6 mi
Follow the S-curve (Gale St)
0.3 mi
Turn right onto Pines Rd
3.6 mi
Turn left onto S Ridge Rd
0.5 mi
Turn right onto W Pines Rd
9.0 mi
Turn left onto N Division Ave / US Rt 52
0.2 mi
Turn right onto W Mason St
380 ft
Destination will be on the right
Polo Public Library
302 West Mason Street, Polo, IL 61064
June 9 – 11.3 mi
Start
Polo Public Library
302 West Mason Street, Polo, IL 61064
Head east on W Mason St
380 ft
Turn right onto S Division Ave / US Rt 52
0.3 mi
Turn right onto W Oregon St
0.5 mi
Continue straight onto W Milledgeville Rd
9.9 mi
Turn right onto N Washington St
300 ft
Turn left onto W 1st St
0.3 mi
Turn right onto N Main Ave
0.3 mi
Turn left onto W 5th St
270 ft
Destination will be on the right
Milledgeville Library
18 W 5th St, Milledgeville, IL 61051
June 10 – 17.5 mi
Start
Milledgeville Library
18 W 5th St, Milledgeville, IL 61051
Head east on W 5th St
270 ft
Turn right onto N Main Ave
0.3 mi
Turn right onto W 1st St
0.5 mi
Continue straight onto Coleta Rd
1.0 mi
Turn right onto Middle Rd
290 ft
Turn left onto Wysox Rd
2.2 mi
Turn right onto Wagner Rd
0.2 mi
Turn left onto Thomson Rd
10.7 mi
Continue onto Argo Fay Route
2.6 mi
Continue onto W Main St
305 ft
Arrive
Main St & Rt 84, Thomson, IL