SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) says a federal court ruling against the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) is the latest in the Pritzker Administration’s string of failures to protect people under state care.

A federal court judge issued an order of contempt Aug. 10 after IDOC repeatedly ignored court orders and failed to take appropriate steps to improve health care provided to inmates in Illinois’ prison system.

“My staff and I have been contacting IDOC on behalf of constituents for some time about medical issue complaints from inmates and their families,” Tracy said. “This is yet another example of shameful decisions and inactions by state agencies under the Governor’s direction that have put Illinoisans at risk. Thirty-six veterans died at the LaSalle Veterans Home, children in DCFS care have died while the agency’s Director has been found to be in contempt of court a dozen times this year. And now IDOC cannot address the medical care needs of the people in its care. The Pritzker Administration must be held accountable.”