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How to Set Up and Schedule a Video Visit with Someone in an Illinois DOC Facility

IDOC video visits run through ICSolutions. A little setup ahead of time makes visit day much smoother. Here's how to get registered, prep your device, and avoid the scheduling limits that can block your booking.

• 2 min read • idoc.illinois.gov
How to Set Up and Schedule a Video Visit with Someone in an Illinois DOC Facility

All IDOC facilities (except Adult Transition Centers) now use ICSolutions for video visits instead of GTL. You'll need to create an ICSolutions friends-and-family account, then use that account to book visits with your person inside.

Heads up: All video visits must be scheduled through the ICSolutions website. Calling the facility won’t schedule a video visit for you.

How to Set Up and Schedule a Video Visit with Someone in an Illinois DOC Facility

Prepare Device

  • ✓ Download the ICSolutions video visitation app on the device you’ll use (Windows computer, Android device, or iPhone/iPad).
  • ✓ Test the visitation application before your scheduled visit so you know your camera, microphone, and speakers work.
  • ✓ Make sure the app is up to date before you join.
  • ✓ Check your internet connection ahead of time so you’re not troubleshooting at the start of the visit.

IDOC caps video visits to keep things fair for everyone. The person you're visiting can have one video visit per day and two per week max. This weekly limit applies even if they're in restrictive housing - those visits count toward the same two-visit cap.

For someone in general population or protective custody, no more than three approved visitors can join a single video visit. If you're planning to include multiple family members, keep this limit in mind so no one gets turned away when the call starts.

Scheduling blackout: No video visits are scheduled between 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. due to institutional count procedures.

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