Keep Families Connected/No Cost Calls Coalition Urges Strong Government Commitment to No Cost Calls

Contact: Aaron Steinberg, asteinberg@plsma.org

Just one year after the Legislature celebrated passing the best-in-the-nation law on free communication for people in prison and jail, the state’s FY25 budget allocates less than one-third of what the Governor and the House proposed. Now it is time for all relevant government officials to focus on concrete next steps to secure a predictable future for no cost calls.

Phone calls are a lifeline for families separated by incarceration. Maintaining communication with loved ones is essential for the well-being of people who are incarcerated and their families alike. Regular communication facilitates individuals’ successful return to the community, benefiting us all. The coalition is thrilled that so many more people have been able to stay in touch since free calls took effect in December 2023.

The coalition calls on the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) to issue a competitive solicitation for a new collective contract that will lower the cost of communication services in all prisons and jails across the state. The Department of Correction (DOC) and virtually all Sheriffs’ Departments are still overpaying for these services. Compare the more than 10 cents per minute still being paid by some agencies here to the 9/10ths of a cent paid by the state of Illinois. Even smaller neighboring states Rhode Island and New Hampshire pay only 2.9 and 1.3 cents, respectively.

While the coalition has obtained some information about current costs, neither the coalition nor the public knows what the total cost is since free calls took effect, because there has been no reporting to the Legislature; indeed, the statutorily required reporting is months overdue.

“An Act providing for unlimited free phone calls to incarcerated individuals” is the law. The coalition wants to emphasize to people who are directly affected that it will continue to monitor and advocate vigilantly for uninterrupted access to free calls, and that there are avenues to explore to achieve lower costs to the state, as well as to seek additional funding in a supplemental budget, if needed. The coalition asks all elected leaders to show their commitment to this important law by working to ensure full, continuous implementation.

The coalition thanks the elected officials who have recognized the importance of keeping families connected, and will continue to work with any and all legislative and administrative officials to put no cost calls on the solid footing that families fought for and deserve.