South Central Reporter

Illinois State Senator Jason Plummer has expressed concerns regarding the Eddie Thomas Act, which mandates the Illinois Department of Corrections to monitor hospice and palliative care for prisoners. The act is named after a man reportedly convicted of murder by pushing someone down an elevator shaft.

"The Illinois Senate just voted on legislation that would require the Illinois Department of Corrections to track and report on hospice and palliative care provided to people incarcerated in Illinois state prisons," said Plummer, State Senator 55th District (R), according to Facebook. "On its face, not shocking or unreasonable, and maybe even something worthwhile. But, wait - the legislation is called the Eddie Thomas Act. Well, we were informed that the Democrats chose to name the legislation after this person, a former gang member, who supposedly murdered someone by throwing them down an elevator shaft."

Senate Bill 1524, introduced by Senator Adriane Johnson on February 4, 2025, successfully passed the Senate on April 9 and proceeded to the House for further debate on May 16. The bill requires an annual report from the Illinois Department of Corrections detailing hospice and palliative care in correctional facilities. This report must include demographic data on inmates receiving care, program participation numbers, service timelines, inmate deaths, and program costs. The data will cover the previous fiscal year and be anonymized to protect individuals' privacy.

Screenshot of State Senator Jason Plummer's May 28 Facebook post | State Senator Jason Plummer's Facebook page

According to Access Living, a Center for Independent Living serving Chicago, the bill was approved by the Restorative Justice and Public Safety Committee with a 9-1 vote. The organization hopes that this legislation will establish a baseline for enhancing disability support for incarcerated individuals.

Plummer continued his critique in a Facebook post: "When asked about the victim's family, the sponsor of the legislation acknowledged that she did not reach out to them but said that 'people make mistakes.' No, a 10-year-old accidentally breaking a window with an errant throw is a mistake. Tossing another human being down an elevator shaft is something else. Once again, victims come last in Illinois and every excuse in the book is made for the most vile actions and the most heinous crimes," he wrote.

Senator Plummer has been serving as State Senator for Illinois' 55th Senate District following redistricting. He was initially elected to represent the 54th Senate District in 2018. As a senator, he aims to represent Southern Illinois as an independent conservative voice advocating for those he believes have been overlooked by politicians in Springfield.