Illinois legislation could create prison ADA compliance task force

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — State lawmakers could pass a plan this spring to create a task force on ADA requirements for correctional facilities.

The proposed task force would study the number of people in Illinois prisons who have sight, hearing and mobility issues in order to create the best accommodations for them.

Task force members would be required to look into the number of committed people not having their ADA needs met and areas the Department of Corrections is currently unable to make accommodations.

Rep. Camille Lilly (D-Oak Park) told the House Judiciary-Criminal Committee Tuesday that she filed the legislation after speaking with people who recently reentered society.

"They have left the facility and have identified many issues within the DOC system that members who were there for life are having to deal with and are struggling with," Lilly said.

The task force would submit recommendations for changes to Illinois prisons by July 1, 2026.

House Bill 3431 passed unanimously out of the House Judiciary-Criminal Committee. The measure now moves to the House floor for further consideration.