SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois Department of Corrections was grilled by the top committee of state lawmakers Tuesday over an emergency rule that allowed the agency to temporarily scan prisoner mail. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle believe IDOC abused the emergency rule process last month when there have been issues with drugs entering prisons for over a year.

IDOC implemented its mail scanning emergency rule on Aug. 14 to prevent drugs from entering facilities.

Democrats and Republicans know that the department needs to keep prisoners and staff safe after drug incidents that left dozens of people hospitalized. However, some are concerned that there is no evidence or information to prove that there is currently an emergency that should block people from receiving physical

See Full Page