Department of Corrections

  • Senate approves Fine’s plan to protect the rights of families visiting jailed loved ones

    fine 022720SPRINGFIELD – Family members of people serving time would be ensured fair treatment by the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) under legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview).

    “I’ve had the opportunity to hear from so many parents, siblings, children and friends of incarcerated individuals on this issue. When they expect a visit and get turned away, it can be heartbreaking,” said Fine. “We should be encouraging people to maintain connections with family and friends, which will improve their lives during and after incarceration.”

    The measure requires IDOC to appoint a point-of-contact person to receive suggestions, complaints and other comments from visitors to prison facilities, and from other members of the public.

  • Prisons rationing toilet paper: Rauner's Corrections department desperate for $420 million more in spending

    sims 041118High anxiety and frustration is expected among incarcerated criminals. But lately Governor Rauner’s administrators at the Illinois Department of Corrections are living under $420 million worth of pressure and they’re hoping lawmakers will quickly send them more money to operate.
     
    Rauner’s Department of Corrections is unable to effectively operate and dig out of the deficit spending hole created by his drawn-out budget stalemate. IDOC officials say they’ve exhausted efficiency methods, all the way down to rationing of toilet paper available to inmates.

  • Van Pelt’s measure removes a financial burden for ex-offenders

    Sen. Patricia Van PeltSPRINGFIELD – Ex-offenders can now obtain their birth certificates at no charge thanks to a measure sponsored by Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago).

    “We should be doing everything possible to remove barriers to success and reduce recidivism for ex-offenders,” Van Pelt said. “Waiving the fee requirement for birth certificates for an individual who is released from a Department of Corrections facility removes a financial burden, giving ex-offenders a better chance at success.”

    Senate Bill 1413 waives the fee for birth certificates for individuals when they are released from a Department of Corrections facility.

  • Collins’ measure to allow video visitation in Illinois prisons becomes law

    Skype call“Isolating inmates from their loved ones tears the fabric of families and communities.”

    SPRINGFIELD – Families will be able to speak with inmates of the Illinois prison system via video call under a new law sponsored by State Sen. Jacqueline Collins in the Illinois Senate. Gov. Bruce Rauner signed that legislation today.

    “As technology improves, we can find ways of lessening the burden of incarceration on families. This allows the Illinois Department of Corrections to facilitate humane visitation rights for inmates while giving families a way of avoiding travel costs,” Collins said.