Illinois bill calls for safety changes in correctional facilities
By Daniel Kim
A bill introduced in the Illinois Legislature calls for changes at correctional facilities in the state, pushing for new safety measures for prisons.
There’s bipartisan support for House Bill 4743 (HB4743) from state representatives. Democrat Gregg Johnson introduced it, and Republican Tony McCombie signed on as a sponsor. The bill would require the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) to establish an office of workplace safety. A chief workplace safety officer would be appointed by the Director of Corrections.
Johnson says it’s a response to last year’s death of Christopher James at the East Moline Correctional Center, who was a friend of his. James died while operating a boom aerial lift that tipped over when he was cutting tree branches on the property.
