Mount Sterling was one of several Illinois towns that publicly competed for a new state prison in one of the state's prison sweepstakes competitions. During the 1987 competition, the town of Flora famously produced the "Is We Is or Is We Isn't/Gonna Get Ourselves A Prison" video. Ultimately, Mount Sterling won the 1987 competition and the state constructed the Western Illinois Correctional Center along State Highway 99 a mile south of town. In 1989 immediately prior to opening, the prison hosted a "Spend a night in prison" event for state and local dignitaries and prominent business-owners, an event that ultimately soured some of its participants on the economic value of prisons to small town economies.
mount sterling was one of several illinois towns that publicly competed for a new state prison in one of the state's prison sweepstakes competitions during the 1987 competition the town of flora famously produced the "is we is or is we isn't/gonna get ourselves a prison" video ultimately mount sterling won the 1987 competition and the state constructed the western illinois correctional center along state highway 99 a mile south of town in 1989 immediately prior to opening the prison hosted a "spend a night in prison" event for state and local dignitaries and prominent business-owners an event that ultimately soured some of its participants on the economic value of prisons to small town economies