QUINCY, ILL. -- A Christian-based organization in Quincy that helps men get back on their feet has reached the first steps to house prison parolees who are not sex offenders.

The New Start Rescue Mission at 6th and Chestnut needed a special permit to allow the prison parolees in its facilities.

Tuesday night, the Quincy Plan commission approved that request.

KHQA spoke with the organization's board chairman about the plans.

Chairman Mark Dedert said, "We're not going to do anything to change the neighborhood. We have the right to refuse any parolee. If we don't like their background, we will not accept someone with a violent background or with any sexual histories. We just want that option. It's not our main focus. We're still there to help the guy who is down and out and needs a temporary place to stay and a new start in life."

KHQA also spoke with the owner of Julie's Day Care, which is located right across the street from New Start Rescue Mission

She said she has never had problems with New Start and doesn't have an issue with it housing prison parolees as long as they are not sex offenders.

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There are plans underway for a halfway house for prison parolees in Quincy.

A public hearing was requested by Mark R. Dedert, of 822 South 13th St., for a special permit for a planned development to allow a halfway house to be established at 936 North 6th St.  That location is zoned C1B in Ward 1.  Dedert has an option to buy the property at 936 N. Sixth to house the New Start Rescue Mission.

The Quincy Herald-Whig reported that the plans will get the support of the Quincy Department of Planning and Development after a nearby day care provider expressed support for the project.

Click here to read its story.

City Planner Chuck Bevelheimer told The Quincy Herald-Whig's Senior Writer Doug Wilson that the special permit request for the New Start Rescue Mission will be on the agenda for Tuesday night's meeting of the Quincy Plan Commission.  His department withheld its recommendation for the request until personnel had spoken to neighbors late last week.

There would be 24-hour supervision of the parolees if the halfway house is approved.

KHQA's Rajah Maples will have more information following the Quincy Plan Commission, so check this story later and watch KHQA's Evening News at 6 p.m. and KHQA's Late News at 10 p.m.

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