SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A bill moving in the Illinois House could ensure people in the Department of Corrections are not charged unreasonable fees for sending mail. The plan also requires more transparency surrounding the IDOC mail scanning process.

Rep. Rita Mayfield (D-Waukegan) said it is important that families can stay connected with their loved ones, and the state should not make the process harder. Her plan would ensure committed people and their correspondents are not charged any fee, surcharge, or cost for mail or scanning services that exceed the standard postage rate.

"Basically, we're just codifying into law the current practice of IDOC which is just to charge the market rate of a stamp," Mayfield said. "So if a stamp is 25 cents on the outside, it's 25 cents on the inside."

Advocates said the department would be banned from generating any revenue from communication between families and their loved ones. The plan also requires annual reporting on the rates people pay for mail and on how the department spends the money.

The House Judiciary Criminal Committee appreciates the intent of the bill, but some Democrats are concerned about the mail scanning process.

"Everywhere that they've done this, contraband is still coming into these facilities," said Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago). "This is not the answer. This is some company making money on the backs of the people that we are incarcerating, and it is not okay."

Yet, Republicans said Illinois should not end the mail scanning process simply because drugs are still coming in.

"I appreciate the department bringing this policy into effect," said Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis). "I will say on behalf of my constituents, many of whom work in the prison and have called for this policy, I want to thank you and thank the department for putting it into effect."

This plan passed unanimously out of the House Judiciary Criminal Committee last week. House Bill 4235 could receive a vote on the House floor as soon as Tuesday. The deadline to pass House bills out of the chamber is April 17.

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