HB5559
View on ILGACD CORR-PHYSICAL MAIL
What this bill does
Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that all institutions and facilities of the Department of Corrections shall permit every committed person to send and receive all original physical mail (rather than an unlimited number of uncensored letters), but the Director may order that mail be inspected and read for reasons of the security, safety, or morale of the institution or facility. Provides that no institutions or facility of the Department shall deny the distribution of original physical mail to committed persons after such incoming mail has undergone inspection and it has been determined that the mail does not pose a threat to the security or safety of the facility, personnel of the Department, or committed persons. Provides that the Department shall collect evidence of original physical mail that is deemed to pose a threat to the safety or security of the facility or institution, personnel of the Department, or committed persons. Defines "original physical mail" and "threat to the security or safety".
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Pipeline Progress
Current stage: In Committee · Last action 148 days ago · SLOW
How does a bill become law in Illinois?
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Introduction of Bill
A member of the Senate or the House introduces a bill, which is assigned a unique identifying number (e.g., "H.B. ___" for House bills and "S.B. ___" for Senate bills). If not enacted, it must be reintroduced in the next General Assembly with a new number.
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Committee Work — Hearings
The bill goes to the appropriate committee, which holds hearings to gather expert opinions and determine the need for the legislation.
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Committee Work — Markup, Amendments, Report
The committee may make amendments to the bill. If approved, a committee report endorsing the bill is issued.
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Floor Debate
The bill is debated and can be further amended. The debate transcripts are accessible online for public viewing.
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Passage and Consideration in Second Chamber
If the bill passes in the first chamber, it moves to the second chamber for a similar review process. If both chambers approve, it goes to the governor.
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Gubernatorial Action
The governor can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action (resulting in an automatic law after 60 days). The type of veto can be total or amendatory. Once signed, the bill becomes a Public Act and is assigned a Public Act number.
Sponsor Context
Hearings
This bill has not been scheduled for a committee hearing.
Action History
3 actions recorded. Last action: 2026-02-13 — Referred toRules Committee. Each action's meaning and outcome signal are classified automatically.
All actions (table)
| Date | Chamber | Action | Category | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-06 | House | Filed with the Clerk byRep. Jed Davis House Rule 6(b) | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2026-02-13 | House | First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38 | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2026-02-13 | House | Referred toRules Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a) | Committee Assignment | — |