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How Illinois DOC Handles Your Mail Now: The New Scanning Process Explained

If you're used to sending letters and photos through the mail, Illinois DOC's process works differently now. For most non-privileged mail, your loved one won't receive the original paper — they'll see a color-scanned PDF on their tablet instead.

• 2 min read • idoc.illinois.gov
How Illinois DOC Handles Your Mail Now: The New Scanning Process Explained

Illinois DOC color-scans incoming non-privileged mail rather than delivering the original paper. Mailroom staff scan the front and back of the envelope, plus everything inside - letters, greeting cards, photos. These scans become PDF images uploaded to the individual's Bulletin Board, where they can view them on their tablet.

Reminder: The scan includes the envelope (front and back) and each enclosure - letters, cards, and photos - and it’s done in color.

This means non-privileged mail "arrives" as a PDF on the Bulletin Board, not as the physical original. If you're sending something where the paper itself matters - a handwritten note, a special card - keep in mind your loved one will see a scanned image of what you mailed, not the actual item.

Once the mailroom scans and uploads non-privileged items to the Bulletin Board, your loved one gets a tablet notification. They'll know new scanned documents are ready to download and view.

Tip: A tablet notification means new scanned documents are available to download and view - it doesn’t mean the original paper item was delivered.

How Illinois DOC Handles Your Mail Now: The New Scanning Process Explained

Exemptions

  • ✓ Publications (not scanned or photocopied)
  • ✓ Official documents mailed from a government entity (for example: birth certificates and Social Security cards) - not scanned or photocopied

Publications are handled differently. Illinois DOC treats them as an exception to the scanning process, so don't expect a book or magazine to show up as a tablet PDF - they go through a separate handling process.

Packages go through their own screening process. Illinois DOC requires all incoming packages to be fluoroscoped or x-rayed, then opened and inspected for contraband before delivery.

Heads up: Packages are x-rayed and opened for inspection before delivery, so they'll arrive opened and may take extra time to reach your loved one.

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