South Central Reporter

Jason Plummer, Illinois State Senator for District 55, said safety issues within the Illinois Department of Corrections are “completely preventable” and blamed inaction by Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration for putting corrections staff at risk.

"Just like the Prisoner Review Board catastrophe, Governor JB Pritzker wants to hide from a disaster of his own making at Illinois Department of Corrections because he prioritizes politics over sound public policy," said Plummer, State Senator 55th District (R), according to Facebook. "He worries about pushback from far left activists, not the safety of everyday Illinoisans. Meanwhile, everyday of inaction from his administration on this issue puts the well-being of our corrections staff at risk, as well as the inmates in these facilities. This is reckless, dangerous, and what is happening w/staff assaults, contraband, and more at our IDOC facilities is entirely preventable."

Plummer was among several Republican senators who called for the immediate removal of Latoya Hughes as director of the Illinois Department of Corrections. According to a May 15 report from WAND News linked in Plummer’s Facebook post, after Hughes’ reappointment hearing, Plummer said she could not answer how many inmates have died so far in 2025 and described it as a "blessing that no staffers have died." Hughes informed senators that many state correctional facilities use electronic tablets instead of physical mail to help prevent fentanyl and other drugs from entering prisons. She noted that about ten facilities do not yet have tablets for inmate mail.

Screenshot of State Senator Jason Plummer's May 22 post on Facebook | State Senator Jason Plummer's Facebook page

According to The Center Square, the Illinois Senate Executive Appointments Committee met on May 15 and advanced Latoya Hughes’ appointment to the full Senate with a 4-2 vote. During this meeting, Plummer questioned Hughes about mail scanning measures intended to prevent exposure to synthetic drugs among inmates and staff. Although Hughes did not respond to inquiries about inmate deaths in 2025, she reported seven drug-related deaths in 2024. At a press conference that day, Plummer asserted his belief that Hughes remains an acting director and has not been confirmed, mentioning that some Democrats are concerned about her nomination proceeding to the Senate floor.

The Center Square report included a video showing a press conference by Republican senators and a hearing where Plummer questioned Hughes about inmates housed in facilities recommended for closure. Hughes said no permanent decision had been made but mentioned that the closure process for Stateville has begun. She added that the Department of Corrections is collaborating with union partners to ensure the process proceeds as planned.

Senator Plummer has served as State Senator for the 54th Senate District of the Illinois General Assembly since his election in 2018. As Senator, he focuses on representing Southern Illinois as what he describes as a strong and independent conservative voice for those he believes have been neglected by politicians in Springfield.