Illinois Corrections Director To Be Let Go

Gov. Pat Quinn says he's going to appoint a new head of the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Quinn refused Tuesday to divulge who he would name, but he said an announcement was likely later this week.

The governor says a priority will be looking at operations at the Tamms Correctional Center. Some question the long hours inmates spend in solitary confinement at the Alexander County prison.

The corrections department has been run by former Macon County Sheriff Roger E. Walker Jr. since 2003. Department spokesman Derek Schnapp says Walker has no immediate comment.

Quinn didn't say why he was making the appointment.

Walker was an appointee of ousted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, but Quinn has kept other Blagojevich hires in his administration.