Illinois Republicans are pushing to increase state prison security

Illinois (KWQC) – A new bill in Springfield would require security for incoming mail. The problem has come to light at a federal facility near the Quad Cities, FCI Thompson, where several workers were hospitalized after being exposed to unknown substances. The union representing these prison workers called for better control of incoming mail to prevent such revelations.

Although the bill would not impact Thompson, it would impose a requirement on all state prisons and jails to electronically monitor incoming mail. Currently, the state Department of Corrections plans to implement a pilot program next spring, but House Minority Leader Tony McCombie says these changes are long overdue.

“They had family members or inmates who were injured by something that was not their own intention,” McCombie said. “It wasn’t her mail. We have to work together on this. This is just common sense, it shouldn’t be a partisan issue, let’s just get the job done.”

Getting the work done before the new year might prove challenging. It only takes one lame-duck session before a new group of lawmakers are sworn in. McCombie doesn’t believe the bill will pass this legislative session, but she believes it gives IDOC a purpose to get the ball rolling.

“But this is a point that says you said you were going to do something, you didn’t do it, we still have issues, safety is still an issue, so we need to bring attention to that,” McCombie said .

McCombie believes we will refile the bill after the new General Assembly is sworn in, and she expects bipartisan support if that happens.

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