SPRINGFIELD (WGEM) – Illinois state lawmakers shared their concerns Friday about a plan to close and rebuild two state prisons. They spoke during a Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) meeting in Springfield on the Illinois Department of Corrections’ (IDOC) plan to close and rebuild Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill and Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln, the state’s main women’s prison for medium and maximum security inmates.
The department plans to close Stateville and rebuild both facilities on the prison’s Will County campus. Stateville inmates and employees would be transferred during construction. Logan would operate until the new facility opens.
Lawmakers sitting on COGFA agree Stateville needs to be rebuilt and Logan needs work, but they don’t see a plan to get it done.
“This is really a concept and not a plan, in my estimation, because a plan has details. And what we’ve really been presented with really is the concept of replacing and building new facilities but nothing has been worked out in terms of what, when and where,” said state Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria.
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“I think that we have a thought bubble more so than the written down plan, right. This is far from shovel ready. If the department thinks they’re going to start building in a year, and that’s what they said, I don’t think they even have plans in a year,” said state Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Jacksonville.
State Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St. Charles, had the harshest criticism for IDOC and the Pritzker administration’s plan.
“Is this simply another process being done for political expediency? It sure appears that way,” he said. “I cannot support any of these closures with so many unanswered questions remaining.”
When asked about the potential closures Friday afternoon, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, said he welcomes the feedback. He reiterated the need to improve or rebuild both Logan and Stateville while adding there is no final plan.
“It’s clear that much more ultimately will need to be done to upgrade or change the facilities we already have. This is just the beginning, but it’s an important beginning,” he said.
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Lawmakers’ comments came after a hearing on May 10 as well as hearings Tuesday in Joliet, near Stateville, and in Lincoln Thursday, near Logan.
They heard from IDOC leadership and leaders from AFSCME Council 31, the union representing most IDOC employees. The union opposes the plan as it calls for Stateville employees to be relocated to a facility within a 65-mile radius during construction. Once Logan closes, those employees would be relocated to a facility within 90 miles.
IDOC released a statement following Friday’s hearing:
“The Department’s goal in announcing its intent to rebuild Stateville and Logan Correctional Centers was to present a starting point and create an open process in which feedback from all impacted stakeholders is considered – not to present a complete plan without discussing it with all involved. The Department recognizes the importance of these discussions to help ensure the success of this initiative, which is why we’ve met with staff and individuals in custody at the impacted facilities, in addition to the unions, legislators, advocacy organizations, and educational partners. The Department is committed to transparency and will continue conversations to gather feedback from impacted stakeholders and collectively incorporate it into a better comprehensive plan moving forward. The Department will also review and consider the COFA recommendations.”
AFSCME Council 31 released a statement after Friday’s hearing:
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“Members of the commission have spent two months studying this proposal, asking questions and getting input.
“Today, all lawmakers present expressed grave concern about the dearth of details provided and the lack of any real plan. The absence of other commission members also reflects the absence of support for the proposal. No member of the commission spoke in favor.
“Today’s outcome, and the large crowds and countless concerns raised at this week’s COGFA hearings in Joliet and Lincoln, all affirm the same thing: The Department of Corrections should rescind its closure threats, slow down, and work with our union and other concerned parties to develop a better rebuilding plan. For the state prison system, its employees, individuals in custody and their families, that’s the right thing to do.”
The commission was originally set to issue an official recommendation Friday, ahead of Saturday’s deadline, but did not have enough members present for a necessary quorum. The opinion is only advisory since IDOC does not need COGFA’s permission to move forward with the project.
“I think we were able to get our comments out there on the record. That hopefully gives them some direction at least to what we are observing and what we’re seeing,” Koehler said after the hearing.
The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office is warning residents of a “new surge” in scam texts claiming to be from the DMV and demanding money.
According to a press release from Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, residents are receiving text messages falsely claiming to either be from his office or a DMV, threatening suspension of license and vehicle registration if “fines” are not paid.
The messages often include links that can be used to steal residents’ information, and Giannoulias’ office is reminding residents to use vigilance and caution when receiving such messages.
“These text messages look legitimate and are designed to frighten people into acting quickly before they have time to think,” Giannoulias said. “Our office will never send a text message demanding payment or threatening to suspend someone’s license. If you receive a message like this, remember it’s a scam – plain and simple. Do not click the link and please report the message to scamalert@ilsos.gov.”
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According to his office, the messages often reference fake regulations or deadlines, and cite an upcoming enforcement date to add an air of urgency to the texts.
“These schemes are designed to create panic and trick individuals into surrendering money or personal information,” the Secretary of State’s Office said.
If a motorist receives a text, they are urged:
-NEVER to click a link
-Do not reply
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-Do not provide personal information
-Forward the message to the SOS’ scam alert email.
The only legitimate text messages the Secretary of State’s Office sends are to remind motorists of upcoming appointments at DMV facilities.
The No. 3 seed Illinois Fighting Illini (25-8) take on the No. 11 seed VCU Rams (28-7) with a Sweet 16 spot on the line on Saturday at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
How to watch VCU Rams vs. Illinois Fighting Illini
Stats to know
Illinois has a +501 scoring differential, topping opponents by 15.2 points per game. It is putting up 85.0 points per game to rank 17th in college basketball and is allowing 69.8 per outing to rank 67th in college basketball.
Illinois knocks down 11.0 three-pointers per game (eighth-most in college basketball), 2.6 more than its opponents (8.4). It is shooting 34.9% from deep (126th in college basketball) while allowing opponents to shoot 31.3%.
VCU has a +347 scoring differential, topping opponents by 9.9 points per game. It is putting up 81.6 points per game, 55th in college basketball, and is giving up 71.7 per outing to rank 116th in college basketball.
VCU knocks down 9.4 three-pointers per game (60th in college basketball) at a 36.9% rate (31st in college basketball), compared to the 6.8 per game its opponents make, at a 32.9% rate.
This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
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