Du Quoin Correctional Facility Faces Permanent Closure as Public Hearing Set For Wednesday

The Du Quoin Impact Program, which opened in 1994, was designed to provide rehabilitation, educational opportunities, vocational training and substance abuse treatment for eligible incarcerated men.

However, participation in Illinois impact programs has declined significantly since 2020, according to IDOC.

The Du Quoin facility was temporarily closed in March 2023 under an agreement between the department and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). Its operations were transferred to the Murphysboro Life Skills Re-Entry Center, where the program continues.

In August, IDOC announced plans to permanently close the Du Quoin facility along with three other correctional facilities across Illinois.

The department said the closures are part of a broader effort to reduce operating expenses, improve efficiency and direct resources toward existing correctional and rehabilitation programs.

Together, the four closures are projected to save approximately $6.5 million annually in operating expenses and avoid nearly $36 million in capital costs.

What Will Happen to Employees and the Property?

According to IDOC, the permanent closure is not expected to result in layoffs. Employees assigned to the Du Quoin facility will be reassigned to Pinckneyville Correctional Center.

The department has also indicated that it will work with other state agencies to determine potential future uses for the property and surrounding land.

The facility's future remains an issue of local interest, particularly as Southern Illinois communities continue to evaluate opportunities for economic development and the use of existing state-owned infrastructure.

Community Members Invited to Participate

Wednesday's hearing will give residents, employees and local representatives an opportunity to express their views before the state completes its review process.

According to CGFA, a final hearing will be scheduled in Springfield during the first week of the Illinois General Assembly's veto session. The commission is expected to vote on its recommendation regarding the proposed closure at that meeting.

The commission's recommendation will be part of the state review process and will not, by itself, constitute a final decision on the facility's future.

For Du Quoin residents, the hearing offers an opportunity to raise questions about the property's future, the state's correctional priorities and the potential implications for the surrounding community.

Key data:

Public Hearing Information

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026

Time: 5 p.m.

Location: Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, 2nd Heat Building

Address: 440 Midway Drive, Du Quoin, IL 62832

Public information: Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability