Setting Up Video Visits with ICSolutions for Illinois DOC Facilities
If you've been scheduling video visits through GTL, that's changed for Illinois DOC. ICSolutions is the new system — here's what you need to know to get your visits set up.
Illinois DOC switched from GTL to ICSolutions for video visitation at all IDOC facilities. The only exception is Administrative Transfer Centers (ATCs). To schedule a video visit now, you'll need to register with ICSolutions. Still trying to use your old GTL account and seeing nothing? That's why.
Start by creating an ICSolutions account - make sure you select the friends & family account type for scheduling. From there, you'll book video visits through ICSolutions instead of GTL. If other relatives also want to schedule visits, coordinate ahead of time. Deciding who books what helps you avoid running into daily limits.
Most scheduling problems come down to limits that are easy to overlook. First, someone in custody can only receive one video visit per day. Even if you see open time slots, check with other family members before booking - if someone else schedules for the same day, you're blocked out. There's also a weekly cap: two video visits per week, total. This applies even if the person is in restrictive housing - those visits count against the same two-visit limit. Book early in the week? You've got one left until the following week. Finally, keep your guest list simple. For people in general population or protective custody, a maximum of three approved visitors can join a single video visit. Don't assume everyone can hop on - decide which three approved visitors will be there before you schedule.
Count-time blackout: Video visits aren't available between 2:30pm and 4:30pm due to institutional count procedures.
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- ✓ Register with ICSolutions (not GTL) to schedule video visits at IDOC facilities; ATCs are the exception to the ICSolutions transition.
- ✓ Coordinate with other family members so you don’t waste time trying to schedule a second video visit on the same day (only 1 video visit per day is allowed).
- ✓ Plan your week around the two-visits-per-week limit, including any visits that happen while the person is in restrictive housing.
- ✓ Avoid trying to schedule during the 2:30pm–4:30pm blackout window, when video visits won’t be scheduled due to institutional count procedures.
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