SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois could soon collect and publicize data on contraband found in prisons thanks to a bipartisan bill that arrived on Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk Friday.
The legislation could require the Illinois Department of Corrections to document the contraband, where it was found, and any method of entrance to the facility. That includes employee and visitor entrances, vendor entrances, mail delivery, or attorney visits.
Rep. Greg Johnson (D-East Moline) said this can provide transparency around emergency medical responses, hospitalizations, and drug overdoses.
"Getting this data is very important with all of the things we’ve been hearing over the last couple years in the department," Johnson said. "So, we were very open to moving it out and giving them sufficient time to compile and report the data."
Senate Bill 2201 passed out of the House on a 109-1 vote. It received unanimous support in the Senate.
If signed into law, IDOC would be required to start collecting this data on July 1, 2026 and publish the information on or before August 1 of each year.
"As public servants, we have a responsibility to improve transparency between state-run agencies and Illinoisans," said Sen. Graciela Guzmán (D-Chicago). "Without transparency, there is no way for the public to trust that any plans to stop the spread of contraband are founded in evidence, and may instead be harmful to people who are incarcerated."
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