How to Contact an Inmate at Illinois River C.C. (IL)
Want to stay in touch with someone at Illinois River Correctional Center? Here's what you need to know about video visits, visitor approval, sending funds, and mailing reading materials.
Illinois River Correctional Center offers video visitation seven days a week. Hours run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and again from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Log on 15 minutes before your scheduled start time so you're ready when the session begins.
Need to add money to someone's commissary account? ViaPath Trust Fund services accepts deposits 24/7, both online and by phone. Automated deposits are transmitted to the facility within one business day, so funds can land on the account fairly quickly.
The rules for sending books and magazines are changing. Starting September 30, 2025, all publications (books, magazines, newspapers) must be mailed directly from the publisher to the individual. You'll no longer be able to drop off publications at the facility yourself.
Planning an in-person visit? Be ready for the approval process at check-in. On your first visit to Illinois River C.C., adult visitors (18+) must complete a Prospective Visitor's Interview (DOC 0148) unless you've already been approved through the electronic PVI process. All adults also need photo identification and verification of date of birth. Visitors under 18 don't need to show photo ID.
Heads up: If you need a mail stop or phone restriction related to an individual, contact the IDOC Victim Services Unit (details below). And keep the September 30, 2025 publisher-only rule in mind before you try to bring or drop off publications.
Steps to Follow
- ✓ Schedule your video visit within the posted hours (Sunday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.), then log on 15 minutes early.
- ✓ If you are visiting in person for the first time as an adult (18+), be prepared to complete the Prospective Visitor’s Interview (DOC 0148), unless you already have prior electronic approval.
- ✓ Bring photo ID plus verification of your date of birth if you are an adult visitor (18+). If you are under 18, you are not required to show photo ID.
- ✓ Deposit commissary funds through ViaPath Trust Fund services (24/7 online or by phone). Automated deposits are transmitted to the facility within one business day.
- ✓ Do not plan to drop off books, magazines, newspapers, or other publications. Beginning September 30, 2025, publications must be mailed directly from publishers.
- Contact IDOC Victim Services Unit. For questions about a mail stop or phone restriction request form, contact the Illinois Department of Corrections, Victim Services Unit at 1301 Concordia Court, P.O. Box 19277, Springfield, IL 62794-9277, or call toll-free 877-776-0755.
Before you try to connect, double-check the details you're counting on. Video visitation at Illinois River C.C. runs Sunday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (log on 15 minutes early). For deposits, ViaPath Trust Fund services is available 24/7 online and by phone, with automated deposits transmitted within one business day. Sending reading material? Confirm how the publisher-only publications policy applies based on its effective date of September 30, 2025.
If you're planning an in-person visit, confirm your approval status before showing up. This is especially true for first-time visitors. Adults (18+) should expect to complete the Prospective Visitor's Interview (DOC 0148) unless electronic approval has already been received. You'll need photo identification plus verification of date of birth at check-in. Visitors under 18 don't need photo ID.
Note: If you need to request a mail stop or phone restriction, verify that you have the current IDOC Victim Services Unit address and phone number before sending anything sensitive.
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