A new report published by a national non-profit finds that Illinois prisons are holding about 17,000 more people than they were designed to house.

Illinois prison inmates will continue to pay $5 for medical and dental visits, after the legislature tried and failed to get rid of the fee last week.

Last year, the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) spent $276 on books for its educational programming across 28 correctional facilities, according to data obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. In the early 2000s, however, the state prison system spent roughly $750,000 each year on books. The dramatic decrease in funding stands in contrast to research that shows educational programming for inmates can significantly impact recidivism rates. Prison librarians, academics and a former Illinois inmate all agree that prison libraries play an important role in that work. 

Governor Bruce Rauner will use his State of the State address Wednesday to present a deal for pension relief and highlight efforts to reduce Illinois' prison population, according to documents obtained by Illinois Public Radio.

Governor Bruce Rauner endorsed the work of his criminal justice commission Thursday.  He also made an unusual statement on prisons.  Rauner says he won't let the commissioners' endorsements gather dust.