RISE IDOC Frequently Asked Questions

'RISE IDOC: Rehabilitation and Restoration Inside Safe Environments' (RISE IDOC) is an initiative dedicated to creating safe, accessible, and restorative correctional environments that transform lives, strengthen family and community connections, and foster a supportive culture for both individuals in custody and staff while advancing rehabilitative opportunities through education, programming, and innovation.
 

An 800-bed women’s facility and a 1,500-bed men’s facility will be built in Crest Hill, IL.

RISE IDOC is currently in the project initiation and planning phase, which will result in a project charter that describes conceptual scope, schedule, and cost.

IDOC is working with the Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) and the Vanir/Milhouse Joint Venture team (VMJV), who serve as the project’s Construction Manage and Owner’s Advisor. 

CDB will host a series of industry outreach events for prospective vendors on June 24, 2026 in Edwardsville, and June 26, 2026 in Chicago. 
 

On or after July 24, 2026, CDB will publish a Professional Services Bulletin seeking proposals for a Progressive Design Build Entity (PDBE) team to design and build the new facility. 

CDB projects typically involve three (3) major phases: Planning, Design and Construction. There is a projected 5-year window for completing construction.
 

A more detailed timeline will be determined after a contract is awarded to a Progressive Design Build Entity (PDBE).
 

A PDBE is a team of construction and design professionals who form a single entity which will be responsible for both the design and construction of this project.
 

The PDBE will be an integral part of RISE IDOC with its own expertise, skills, and knowledge that will support the overall project schedule. 

IDOC intends for Logan Correctional Center to remain open and functioning as operational guidelines allow. 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 in the future. 

The women’s facility will have 800 multi-security level beds, plus additional Health Care Unit and crisis stabilization beds.
 

The men’s facility will have a capacity of 1,500 beds, plus additional Health Care Unit and crisis stabilization beds.
 

The men’s facility will also include infrastructure that would allow for the construction of housing units with an additional 450 beds, if IDOC were to decide in the future they were needed.

The new women’s facility will be the State’s first purpose-built, gender-responsive correctional facility.
 

Where IDOC’s current facilities were built for a punitive corrections model or for another purpose entirely, the new facilities will be designed for a trauma-informed, gender-responsive, rehabilitative model of corrections.

The physical size and layout of the facilities will be determined during the design phase[SP1] , once a Progressive Design Build Entry is on board.

IDOC is not planning to build a new firing range on the site. 

IDOC’s approach to a transfer plan will be firmly rooted in safety, security, and operational continuity. Any future transitions will be carefully coordinated to minimize disruption and protect personal property, health care access, and program continuity.  
 

As part of the planning process, IDOC will engage staff, individuals in custody, and advocacy organizations to gather input and perspectives that will help inform the development of the transition plan. 

The new women’s facility will be the State’s first purpose-built, gender-responsive correctional facility for women.
 

It will specifically include a trauma-informed, rehabilitative design, with enhanced programming, education, and re-entry services, operationally efficient physical layouts and sightlines, and space to support and encourage family connection and reunification. 

Family connection is a key consideration in the development of the facilities’ design and operation. Planning for the new facility will include visitation spaces, access to communication, and re-entry focused programming.

Individuals in custody at Logan will be transferred to Decatur if they meet Decatur's security classification. Programming needs will be taken into consideration prior to transfer.

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 significant concerns with the conditions of Stateville and Logan facilities. 

IDOC intentionally chose to focus on modernization 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.

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 IDOC 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 would not provide 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.

A modernized physical layout for the new facilities will allow IDOC to operate more efficiently and fully utilize the many skills of staff. These facilities will also allow IDOC to provide expanded programming and health care services.

During the project initiation phase, the VMJV team, which serves in the role of Construction Manager & Owner's Advisor for the RISE IDOC initiative, conducted a needs assessment and benchmarked best practices from high-functioning correctional facilities to determine the space required to construct two facilities that incorporate modern design principles and rehabilitative programming.
 

Drawing on best practices, subject matter expert input, and site visits to correctional facilities across the country, the VMJV team determined the recommended site parameters for initial planning of a men’s facility and a women’s facility.
 

The evaluation placed emphasis on sustainability, project timelines, and fiscal responsibility. The VMJV team’s analysis showed that Crest Hill provides the site capacity, configuration, and infrastructure necessary to support a modern women’s correctional facility without operational compromises, and provides added benefits of possible shared infrastructure with the men’s facility such as a central utility plant, warehouse, shared entry drive and parking lot, expanded access to healthcare resources, and enhanced opportunities for educational partnerships and re-entry resources in the area.
 

Examination of the current Logan Correctional Center site and alternative sites in Lincoln demonstrated that these options did not exhibit the physical space or site conditions required to accommodate the new women’s facility within the established acreage, security, and operational parameters. Building two Crest Hill facilities supports a significantly shortened project duration, stronger cost control, and a facility design that meets IDOC’s operational and rehabilitative objectives.
 

IDOC considered many factors when determining the future location of the women’s facility, 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 Vanir Milhouse Joint Venture, Construction Manager and Owner Advisor on the project, conducted a site analysis and fit test of the grounds at Stateville and determined that the land can accommodate building two new facilities.

A PDBE is a team of construction and design professionals who form a single entity which will be responsible for both design and construction of this project. 

The Department has been engaging in pre-planning activities with the Capital Development Board and Vanir Milhouse Joint Venture, the Construction Manager/Owner’s Advisor Team.
 

CDB anticipates publishing a request for qualifications this summer, seeking a Progressive Design Build Entity with demonstrated project experience designing and constructing correctional facilities for public agencies.
 

Once the Progressive Design Build Entity is under contract, designing the facility will begin.
 

A detailed schedule for planning, design, and construction will be developed in collaboration with the Progressive Design-Build Entity, Vanir/Milhouse, CDB, & IDOC.
 

Prior to the completion of the design, CDB will begin groundwork, to ready the land for the build site, such as environmental cleanup and removing foundations from former farm buildings. 

Two separate facilities will be built on the Stateville grounds, each consisting of multiple buildings.
 

Once the Progressive Design Build Entity is under contract and the design phase begins, IDOC will explore the possibility of the two facilities sharing resources, such as a central warehouse or maintenance buildings.

Demolition of the remaining structures surrounding the Stateville Correctional Farm is scheduled to begin Q4 of 2026. This work will allow for critical time savings ahead of breaking ground on the new facilities.
 

Demolition of buildings within the secure perimeter of Stateville Correctional Center is not required to begin the construction of the two new facilities. While it is possible that demolition work could begin before the new facilities open, our main focus is ensuring timely delivery of the new facilities to properly support IDOC operational needs.
 

Demolition of structures outside the secure perimeter of Stateville will occur in the early phase of site preparation for the new facilities.
 

Historical preservation:

On June 4th, 2026, the State Historic Preservation Office within the Department of Natural Resources and the CDB held a meeting concerning public interest in and suggestions related to the preservation of the narrative history of all structures and/or activities at the abandoned Stateville Correctional Center Farm and adjacent parcels.
 

Another hearing will be held at a later date to solicit feedback on the preservation of a narrative history of the land and buildings within Stateville’s secure perimeter.

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 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. Information on prequalification for Capital Development Board projects can be found here: CDB Prequalification.
 

CDB is hosting a series of industry outreach events for prospective vendors on June 24, 2026 in Edwardsville, and June 26, 2026 in Chicago.

IDOC intends for Logan Correctional Center to remain open and functioning as operational guidelines allow. The Department is evaluating future use of the property. 

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 as they became available.
 

IDOC will continue to engage stakeholders throughout the Project Planning Phase. 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. 

On June 4th, 2026, the State Historic Preservation Office within the Department of Natural Resources and the CDB held a meeting concerning public interest in and suggestions related to the preservation of the narrative history of all structures and/or activities at the abandoned Stateville Correctional Center Farm and adjacent parcels.
 

Members of the public are invited to contribute information relating to the preservation of the narrative history of the buildings on the parcels as well as the history of the property as a whole, which includes the original farm dormitory, livestock barns and grain processing structures. Although efforts to photograph the interior and exterior of the buildings on the properties noted above have already begun, members of the public are invited to provide written comment concerning narrative preservation of history at the Stateville Correctional Center Farm.
 

Written comments may be personally delivered or submitted in email, PDF, or Word format by the close of business on June 8, 2026. Please deliver comments and any materials to:

Capital Development Board

Attn: Dan Troglio

401 S Spring St.

Springfield, Illinois 60181

Email: dan.troglio@illinois.gov 
 

Another hearing will be held at a later date to solicit feedback on the preservation of a narrative history of the land and buildings within Stateville’s secure perimeter.

The project has a design/build budget of approximately $1 billion.

The current budget reflects our best and most complete planning to date. As we learn more through the joint venture and our review of comparable facilities, we will refine the scope as needed and coordinate any budget adjustments with the Capital Development Board.