Visiting in Illinois (IDOC)

Visiting an incarcerated person in Illinois involves getting on the person’s approved visitor list and then scheduling a visit. The days, hours, and whether a visit is contact or non-contact are set by the individual prison and the person’s status, so confirm the details with the specific facility where the person is held.

Step 1: Getting on the visitor list

Each incarcerated person has an approved visitor list, which the person builds from inside. Because of privacy rules, IDOC staff cannot tell you whether you are on a person’s list — arrange it directly with the person (usually by writing to them). A visitor must be approved before visiting.

Step 2: Scheduling the visit

IDOC schedules in-person visits online through SignUpGenius (the department’s visitation scheduler). Book a slot ahead of time, arrive early, and check in with the facility on arrival. Days, hours, length, and frequency are set by the specific prison and the person’s status — confirm them before traveling.

What to wear

Visitor clothing must be in good taste. The standard rules:

• No gang-related, sexually explicit, or offensive clothing.
• Nothing that resembles what incarcerated people or staff wear.
• Nothing revealing, sheer, or see-through.

Each prison sets and enforces its own dress standards at the entrance, so confirm the facility’s current rules before traveling.

Identification

Adult visitors must bring two forms of identification, one a state-issued photo ID, along with vehicle information (make, model, and plate). Confirm each facility’s rules for minors, who must be approved and accompanied by an approved adult.

What you can bring

Items in the visiting room are tightly limited. Generally not allowed: cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, bags, purses, food, drink, books, and currency. Lockers are provided for personal items. Typically only labeled, prescribed heart medication or an asthma inhaler may be carried in. Money for the person’s account is sent through a deposit vendor, never handed over at a visit — see Sending Money in Illinois.

Video visiting

Illinois offers video visits through ICSolutions, the department’s communications vendor. Visitors register and schedule through the ICSolutions system, typically several days ahead, with limits on how many video visits a person may have per day and per week. Confirm the specific facility’s video-visit availability and how to schedule.

Verify Before Acting

For the general, nationwide overview of this topic, see the national guide: Visiting Basics.