Grundy Reporter

State Representative Charlie Meier has joined his colleagues in advocating for a hearing on drug exposures within the state Department of Corrections facilities. In a Facebook post dated November 20, Meier said, "We’ve requested a hearing to address these concerns, and they’ve been ignored."

"We should be taking every step necessary to protect our prison workers and inmates," said Meier, according to Facebook. "We've requested a hearing to address these concerns, and they've been ignored. Our constituents who work in these facilities are telling us that part of the problem is physical mail. Let's have a hearing and figure out what is going on and how these substances are entering our prisons."

According to the news release shared by Meier on his website, he addressed recent drug exposures affecting Illinois Department of Corrections employees in the mailroom. Meier called on Acting Director Hughes to accompany him to any facility that has experienced these incidents. "Together, her and I will go through the mail," he wrote. He added that if Hughes is confident that drugs are entering through other means, she should have no issue participating in this process with him. "At the very least, she owes it to the citizens of Illinois to provide some answers and solutions to this issue, preferably through a committee hearing," Meier said.

Screenshot of State Representative Charlie Meier's Nov. 20 Facebook post | State Representative Charlie Meier's Facebook page

In August, an incident involving medical reactions among staff members occurred due to an unknown substance, as reported by WSILTV on August 29. A spokesperson informed WSILTV that one staff member required hospital transport via ambulance while eleven others were taken for medical evaluation. The investigation involved Illinois Poison Control and St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency's Hazmat Team, leading to a lockdown at Menard Correctional Center and provision of personal protective equipment for staff.

On November 22, WCIA reported changes in how inmates will receive mail from the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). Chuck Stout, lead IDOC liaison for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), explained that inmates would receive scanned copies of their mail on tablets. "They will get a very clearly scanned, good color, quality copy that they can read and see on the tablet," said Stout.

Meier was elected in 2013 to represent the community of the 108th District. His legislative biography notes his six-year tenure on the Washington County Board and residence on his family's Centennial Farm in Washington County. In 2009, he received recognition as State of Illinois Conservation Farm Family of the Year. Beyond farming, Meier is involved in developing subdivisions with villas and single-family residences.