Gov. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) have announced their plans to demolish and reconstruct Stateville Correctional Center, located in Crest Hill, Illinois.
IDOC officials will collaborate with government authorities to establish a timeline and determine the necessary next steps. The commencement of work is contingent upon the allocation of capital appropriations in the fiscal budget for 2025.
The state has announced its plan to temporarily close and demolish Stateville, with the intention of constructing a new correctional facility on its grounds.
The prison is situated in Crest Hill, just north of Joliet.
The state has plans to replace Logan Correctional Center in downstate Lincoln, although the specific new location has not yet been determined.
Governor JB Pritzker emphasized the significance of allocating capital funds to Stateville and Logan prisons, underscoring the state’s commitment to revitalizing and fortifying its infrastructure. He stated that these investments would enable staff to operate in contemporary and secure facilities while ensuring the safety of incarcerated individuals serving their sentences. Additionally, these initiatives will result in substantial savings for taxpayers by addressing the deferred maintenance costs accumulated over years of neglect.
The estimated construction costs for the project are expected to range between $805 and $935 million. Governor Pritzker’s proposed FY25 capital budget has allocated $900 million in new funds for the demolition and rebuilding of the prisons.
According to the state, Illinois is projected to save an average of $34 million in annual operations savings through these projects.
“This plan signifies a significant turning point in IDOC’s continuous endeavors to guarantee the safety and welfare of our staff and the individuals under our supervision,” expressed IDOC’s Acting Director, Latoya Hughes. “These investments highlight Illinois’ steadfast dedication to establishing contemporary and secure correctional facilities, all while adopting a fiscally prudent approach to address the challenges posed by aging infrastructure.”
Stateville has housed some infamous prisoners throughout its history, such as Richard Speck, Leopold and Loeb, Larry Hoover, James Degorski, and Juan Luna. Notably, it was also the site of John Wayne Gacy’s execution.
Stateville Prison, which was established in 1925, currently has a population of 1,927 inmates, with a capacity to house 3,020 individuals. Remarkably, it is known for having one of the highest incarceration costs in the state.
The average cost per inmate in IDOC is approximately $46,000, but it can reach up to $61,304 per inmate.
As of Friday, the prison population in Illinois stands at 29,828, marking a significant decrease from its peak of 49,401 in February 2013.
