Future of Stateville and Logan Correctional remain in limbo

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Stateville and Logan Correctional facilities' future remains in limbo.

Only 3 GOP members were present for Friday's state facility closure act vote. Since there weren't enough members present for the quorum, the future of the facilities remains in the air.

"I support the concept of new facilities, but I want a plan," said Senator David Koehler (D), 46th District.

In March, the State of Illinois announced its plans to demolish Logan Correctional Center and rebuild the Crest Hill facility one hour north of Lincoln. IDOC released a report in 2023 detailing the state of its facilities. The report found Logan and Stateville in a state of disrepair that could only be fixed by millions of dollars in maintenance the agency has neglected for years.

"I would love to talk to the administration about the plan. I would love to talk to the department about the plan," said Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R).

While no vote could be made on Friday, lawmakers took the time to agree that LCC and Stateville needed serious repairs. Sen. Koehler added after touring the facilities he wanted Stateville to be a top priority and that work could be done at Logan to make improvements.

"I will consider that they do not move forward with the closure plan and they work with stakeholders at Logan."

This vote comes on the heels of a crowded public hearing held Thursday night at Lincoln Junior.

State Senator Sally Turner (R-Beason) and State Representative Bill Hauter (R-Morton) released a joint statement in response to the conclusion of the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability's (CGFA) facility closure process for Logan Correctional Center (LCC)

"We are greatly disappointed that the people of Logan County have not received any assurances regarding the future of Logan Correctional Center. We adamantly disagree with the Pritzker Administration's misguided plan to close and relocate Logan Correctional Center and insist that the Illinois Department of Corrections commit to rebuilding the facility within Logan County.

"We do not dispute the fact that LCC needs repairs and may need to be rebuilt in the near future; however, the Governor's Administration has failed to provide a compelling argument to justify the disruption and hardship that moving the facility to Northern Illinois would create for our community, the facility's employees and its residents.

"Neither the employees nor the women residing at Logan deserve to work and live in a decaying and broken-down facility. They also do not deserve to have their lives pointlessly uprooted, which is exactly what the Department of Corrections will do by moving Logan Correctional Center out of Central Illinois."

AFSCME Council 31 also fired back at Friday's lack of quorum during the COGFA meeting to vote.

"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."