SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois Department of Corrections plans to file a permanent prison mail scanning rule by Dec. 3, but state lawmakers and advocates hope IDOC takes input seriously after months of confusion.
The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules has held multiple hearings to discuss issues with the mail scanning technology for people trying to correspond with family and attorneys.
IDOC implemented the mail scanning emergency rule on Aug. 14 to prevent drugs from entering facilities. However, the agency did not start scanning mail for prisoners until the end of September. Director Latoya Hughes highlighted the main cause for the delay last month.
"The network is still being built out," Hughes said. "We have begun scanning, but there are some locations within facilities where we still need to build up the network strength. That process is continuing."
The public has been able to weigh in on the prison mail issue over the past few weeks, but the public comment period ends Monday.
"We have worked and collaborated with the legal community for privileged legal mail," IDOC Chief Compliance Officer Michael Crum said Tuesday. "That was discussed during last month's committee hearing. We've had multiple sessions and trainings with the legal community, including the Cook County Public Defender's office."
The department also plans to meet with members of the Illinois Supreme Court to hear suggestions for the mail policy. JCAR members could approve or block IDOC's permanent rule during their next hearing Dec. 17.
"We are anticipating that a number of changes have been made and you have taken comments into consideration, and not only taken them into consideration, but have implemented them in second notice," said Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago).
Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill into law this summer to require IDOC to collect and publicize data on contraband found in prisons. Sponsors believe the law will provide transparency around emergency medical responses, hospitalizations and drug overdoses.
IDOC will be required to start collecting this data July 1, 2026 and publish the information on or before Aug. 1 of each year.
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