Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie has voiced strong support for House Bill 50, a new measure designed to boost safety for Department of Corrections staff. Championed by Representative David Friess, the legislation requires all incoming prison mail to be electronically scanned with drug-interdiction technology, aiming to prevent contraband from entering state facilities. Scanned letters will be viewed only on secure kiosks and tablets, with the original physical mail handled according to department procedures. McCombie praised input from staff at Thomson Federal Penitentiary, which helped shape the policy, and stressed her commitment to making these protections permanent statewide.
“Keeping drugs out of our prisons keeps staff and inmates safe, period,” McCombie said. “I’m proud to stand with Rep. Friess and DOC leaders who recognize the urgent need to act. Their hard work and the input of frontline staff, including many from Thomson Federal Penitentiary, have been critical to shaping this solution.”
“IDOC’s emergency action is the right move, and I will work to ensure these protections are written into permanent law,” McCombie added.
