Rebuild Frequently Asked Questions

The Department intentionally chose to focus on rebuilds for Stateville and Logan after considering deferred maintenance needs, the cost-benefit analysis of repairing an existing structure versus building anew, the needs of the current population of individuals in custody, staff vacancies, and the ability to accommodate relocations of individuals in custody and staff, when necessary, at other facilities.

All closures of state facilities must comply with the State Facilities Closure Act (30 ILCS 608). A summary of the State Facilities Closure Act is available here. The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (CGFA) is responsible for the administration of the State Facility Closure Act. IDOC will comply with the CGFA process to close a facility as is required. That process includes notification to CGFA of a proposed closure, filing a recommendation for closure, a public comment period, and one or more public hearings.

Individuals in custody at Stateville will be relocated after the CGFA process. The Department will develop a comprehensive plan to safely transfer the individuals in custody at Stateville. The process will include evaluating individual needs to determine the most suitable placement for each individual by identifying facilities capable of providing the necessary security, care, and programing for the population.

At this time, the Department anticipates keeping Logan Correctional Center open until completion of the new facility. Upon completion of the new facility within 3 to 5 years, the Department will begin transfers. However, in the event infrastructure needs require IDOC to begin transfers prior to the completion of the new build – we will methodically review each individual for medical, mental health, security, and programmatic needs. 

Employees at Logan CC:

IDOC anticipates that the rebuild will take approximately 3 to 5 years. IDOC intends to continue to operate Logan until the rebuild is complete as long as it is safe to do so. As part of the plan to rebuild Logan, all employees will be affected as the current facility will become non-operational upon completing the new facility.

The Department intends to take significant measures to minimize the impact of the closure on employees at Logan. The Department estimates that if staffing patterns stay consistent with current trends, there will be more than sufficient vacancies available throughout the Department to ensure all employees of Logan can remain employed within the Department. IDOC will follow the process outlined in the respective collective bargaining agreements and the Personnel Code which includes a process for transfers of the impacted employees. The process ensures the rights of the employees are protected during the transfer and upon arrival at their new facility. Unless an employee voluntarily chooses to be placed in a layoff status, IDOC does not expect that any employees will lose state employment as part of this process.    

Employees at Stateville CC:

As part of the temporary closure of Stateville required for its rebuilding, IDOC will follow all of the required steps in the applicable collective bargaining agreements and the Personnel Code which utilizes a process to transfer the impacted employees. The process ensures that the rights of the employees are protected during the transfer and upon arrival at their new facility. Unless an employee voluntarily chooses to be placed in a layoff status, IDOC does not expect that any employee will lose state employment as part of this process. During this process, employees will be offered positions at Stateville’s Northern Reception and Classification Center (NRC) and other IDOC facilities. The Department is committed to implementing the process of offering employees positions at other facilities as effectively as possible.

In addition to the NRC, there are three correctional facilities within 65 miles of Stateville, providing potential relocation options. Should current staffing patterns hold, IDOC estimates there will be more than sufficient vacancies available within a 65-mile radius. IDOC will follow the process outlined in the respective collective bargaining agreements to complete the transfer process.

The Department has the authority to decide to rebuild its facilities. Since the decision to rebuild will result in the eventual closure of each existing facility, the Department will comply with the CGFA process, which includes a public hearing and public comment period. We recognize the importance of engaging impacted stakeholders to help ensure the success of this initiative.

The Department’s top priority is the physical safety of staff and individuals in custody. Due to the facility conditions, the Department must move forward with this closure to ensure the security and safety of those who work, live, and visit Stateville.

IDOC contracted an outside firm, CGL Companies, to assess the physical condition of each of its facilities. IDOC determined it was necessary to have an objective third-party conduct a study to identify the Department’s needs, taking into consideration population projections, staffing levels, and the infrastructure of the facilities. Their report identified eleven of Stateville’s buildings as in a state of “complete degradation, inoperability, and need for replacement.” The report also noted significant visible maintenance and deterioration, such as leaks and water penetration, peeling paint, and floors in such poor condition that could result in injury. Closing the facility during the rebuild will also mitigate the potential impact of environmental concerns of a live construction site on staff and individuals in custody and circumvent additional efforts required to secure a site.  

The renovation of Stateville and Logan Correctional Center’s existing structures would be cost-prohibitive and not allow for a structural redesign that would benefit our staff and individuals in custody. The current physical structures do not permit modern correctional practices related to programming, treatment, and staff spaces. Due to the age and mechanics of the buildings, renovations could not make necessary structural changes to the layouts and floor plans. New construction will provide an environment that is more efficient and effective in providing operations, and that is essential to ensuring the safety and security of staff and individuals in custody.

The Department is considering many factors when determining the future locations of Logan and Stateville Correctional Centers, including but not limited to workforce availability, proximity to medical facilities, community-based organizations, and educational and program partners, prior residences of individuals in custody and current locations of family and support systems, impact on local communities, geographic distribution of IDOC facilities across the state, environmental impact, and construction costs.  

The Illinois Department of Corrections is required to adhere to the Illinois Procurement Code for its procurements. This ensures that the Department follows established rules and procedures in the procurement process, promoting fairness, transparency, and accountability. The Illinois Procurement Code is a comprehensive set of regulations that outline the rules and procedures for all procurement activities conducted by the State of Illinois. The Code aims to promote competition, prevent corruption, and ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently and effectively.

If you are considering getting involved in State of Illinois procurements, the Chief Procurement Office provides a range of reference tools to assist you, including a live help desk. These resources are designed to support businesses and navigate them through the procurement process in the state of Illinois. Please click here to access the Pathway to Procurement.​​​​​ Please click here for overview of the entire process and tips for success.

Note: The Department does not issue solicitations for large scale capital projects. Those projects fall exclusively under the purview of the Capital Development Board. 

The Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) and IDOC are seeking proposals for a Construction Management and Owner's Advisor team to oversee and coordinate the design and construction phases of new facilities that address critical infrastructure needs pertaining to Stateville and Logan Correctional Centers.

On November 19, 2024, CBD issued a Construction Management and Owner’s Advisor Request for Proposal (RFP). The formal solicitation for proposals can be found on CDB’s website here under Professional Services Bulletin (PSB) #317-2. To be eligible for the initial solicitation, firms must complete the pre-qualification process with CDB by December 16, 2024, where early preparation is highly recommended. Any questions regarding the RFP process should be directed to CDB.VendorReg@Illinois.gov.  

The Construction Manager/Owner’s Advisor (CM/Owner’s Advisor) team will provide expert management services to support IDOC through the lifecycle of building new correctional facilities. The CM/Owner’s Advisor will have experience with large and complex capital facility projects. The CM/Owner’s Advisor team will also have successfully managed projects that integrate rehabilitative design principles, employ evidence-based therapeutic practices, and support reintegration. 

The CM/Owner’s Advisor will work with IDOC on project initiation and planning, including establishing goals and objectives, creating a project charter, and developing a robust stakeholder engagement process. The CM/Owner’s Advisor will also collaborate with IDOC to develop and monitor the project budget.

A detailed schedule will be developed after a CM/Owner’s Advisor is on board. The estimated planning, design, and construction timeline for this project is approximately five years. We will update Key Dates regularly throughout the process as information becomes available.

We are still in the very early stages of planning for this project and are working to build out a comprehensive project team for this transformational project. One of the first steps will involve selecting and contracting with a Construction Manager/Owner’s Advisor (CM/Owner’s Advisor) team to help support this project. Among other tasks, the CM/Owner’s Advisor team will help IDOC and CDB develop processes for robust stakeholder engagement to obtain feedback and to ensure regular and tailored communication of updates on the rebuilds.

The State has appropriated $900 million in capital funds for the rebuild based on cost estimates. Project planning is currently underway and once procured in Spring 2025, the Construction Manager/Owner’s Advisor team, will continue to refine and assess needs throughout the rebuild process. This planning work will include developing a project budget. IDOC and CDB remain committed to building modern, secure facilities that promote rehabilitation for individuals in custody and wellness for staff while addressing aging infrastructure in a fiscally responsible manner.

IDOC recognizes the importance of stakeholder engagement to ensure the success of the project. To uphold that commitment, we have met with staff, individuals in custody at the impacted facilities, unions, legislators, advocacy organizations, and educational partners regarding the initial announcements and have provided updates to these stakeholder groups on the efforts taken to implement the least disruptive transfer of individuals from Stateville as possible. We will continue to do so as planning for the rebuilds continues. These ongoing discussions and opportunities for feedback will support collaboration between IDOC, CDB, stakeholders, designers, and contractors throughout the entire project, fostering alignment on goals, timelines, and expectations. 

Having a Construction Manager/Owner’s Advisor (CM/Owner’s Advisor) will be instrumental in ensuring robust stakeholder engagement and transparency throughout the rebuild process. The CM/Owner’s Advisor will help IDOC develop targeted feedback opportunities for stakeholder groups, as well as establish communication objectives for each phase of the project. To further transparency, IDOC is committed to providing regular updates highlighting achievements and upcoming milestones and responding to inquiries from stakeholders in a timely and transparent manner. 

All general population transfers from Stateville Correctional Center are complete. The individuals in the Health Care Unit will be moved when placements that will properly meet their medical needs are identified.

As previously stated, IDOC intends to continue housing individuals in custody at Logan, as long as it is safe to do so. IDOC prioritizes the safety, security, and well-being of everyone involved and will make every effort to facilitate a smooth and efficient transition of individuals in custody to the new facility when the time comes. However, the exact location of Logan Correctional Center’s rebuild has not yet been determined.