May 10th 2024.
In a recent announcement, it was revealed that Stateville Correctional Center in Illinois may close as early as September. This is part of a larger plan to dismantle and rebuild the Stateville and Logan correctional centers in a project that is estimated to cost nearly $1 billion and take up to five years to complete.
The decision to rebuild these facilities was made just two months ago by Governor J.B. Pritzker. The deteriorating conditions and age of the current facilities were cited as the main reasons for this rebuilding project. However, the exact timeline for the closure of Stateville and Logan depends on a number of factors.
Before the project can even begin, it must be approved as part of Pritzker's proposed budget. This budget is currently being negotiated by legislators and is expected to be completed by May 24th. The Illinois Department of Corrections has requested $161 million for the Stateville project and $80 million for Logan for the upcoming budget year starting on July 1st.
The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) also plays a role in this process and will make their recommendations in mid-June. Before then, two community meetings will be held to gather public input on the proposal. During a hearing on Friday, State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer, who co-chairs COGFA, expressed concerns about the timing of the plan and accused the Illinois Department of Corrections of being less than transparent about their plans for Logan.
The current plan is to move Logan from its current location in Lincoln to the Stateville property in Crest Hill, near Joliet. This has been met with criticism from some downstate officials who fear it could result in job losses for the city of Lincoln, following the recent closure of Lincoln College and impending shutdown of Lincoln Christian University.
During the hearing, Davidsmeyer raised concerns about the timeline for the project, questioning whether it could take longer than the estimated five years. He compared this project to the construction of a bridge, which takes about three years in Missouri and seven years in Illinois. Acting IDOC Director Latoya Hughes acknowledged this concern and stated that they are working closely with the state's Capital Development Board to understand the necessary steps and processes involved in this project.
The plan also includes the relocation of Logan employees to other facilities within a 90-mile radius of their current workplace. However, Michael Newman, deputy director of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31, which represents prison employees, testified that this plan would have a negative impact on the lives of employees, incarcerated individuals, their families, and the economic well-being of several communities. He also expressed concerns about safety and uncertainties surrounding employee travel plans.
Despite these concerns, IDOC has stated that the transition of incarcerated individuals and staff will cost about $7 million for both facilities combined and will help the state avoid hundreds of millions of dollars in deferred maintenance costs. They also claim that moving Logan to the Stateville site will provide a better geographical balance for women's prisons in the state.
At the hearing, IDOC officials presented a five-year estimated timeline for the project. However, State Senator David Koehler, who co-chairs COGFA, called for a more collaborative approach to finding a solution that works for all parties involved. He suggested that all parties should work together to achieve the end goal of rebuilding these facilities.
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