Is the Illinois Department of Corrections closing vandalia facilities?

Yes, the Illinois Department of Correctional (IDOC) announced the closure of its Vandalia Correctional Center in 2022. The 700-inmate facility was scheduled to close in June of that year as part of Governor JB Pritzker's plan to reduce the state's prison population and redirect funding toward community-based programs. The closure was met with resistance from some local officials and community members who relied on the prison as a source of jobs and economic activity. However, IDOC maintained its decision, stating that the closure would allow for the consolidation of resources and improved efficiency within the state's correctional system.