AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/tag/illinois-department-of-corrections/)
The relatives of several Illinois prisoners shared their concerns about how COVID-19 is affecting their loved ones. As of Jan. 11, 9,318 prisoners and 3,625 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19, said Alan Mills, executive director of Uptown People’s Law Clinic. That number would be far lower if the Illinois Department of Corrections had started universal testing sooner, Mills said.
State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford headed to Stateville Saturday along with Twista and other stakeholders to deliver crucial COVID-19 supplies and advocate for the speedy release of qualified high-risk inmates
Congressman Danny Davis, state Rep. La Shawn Ford and others gathered earlier this month to advocate for more funding for prisoners being released back into society. This month marks the 11th anniversary of the federal Second Chance Act, which Davis helped push through Congress.
More than 800 people attended the recent event, where dozens of state-run and non-profit agencies offered services aimed at reintegrating parolees into their communities.
Solutions to unemployment, gun violence, poverty spark intense debate at town hall convened by Congressman Danny Davis.
The Community Renewal Society organized a gathering earlier this month with Gladyse Taylor, the new director of the Illinois Department of Corrections, to discuss how to make it easier for the kids to visit their mom or dad in prison and maintain a relationship.