Local lawmakers, a state senate candidate, and a lodge representing correctional officers are raising concerns about a string of violent incidents at Hill Correctional Center in Galesburg and other Illinois prisons. They’re pressing for major changes in the Illinois Department of Corrections leadership to keep staff and incarcerated people safe.
The situation drew widespread attention on Oct. 9 when Patrick Harlan, the “Illinois First” candidate for the 36th State Senate District, posted on Facebook about three serious incidents at Hill. Those incidents include a stabbing on Oct. 5, a hostage situation on Oct. 7, and an escape attempt the next day.
Hill, a medium-security prison, houses around 1,200 men.
WGIL reached out to IDOC’s media team for comment but has not received a response.
Lawmakers demand answers
State Rep. Dan Swanson (R-Alpha), who represents the Galesburg area, clarified misinformation about a reported murder on Oct. 5. “There was misinformation. There was no murder at Hill Correctional (on that date),” Swanson told WGIL, noting a hostage incident was deescalated and an inmate who went missing was found inside the facility’s perimeter after an investigation.
Swanson, speaking about the bigger picture, said, “It’s concerning that we have the escalation of violence that we’ve seen at Hill recently. And it’s not only Hill — I believe it’s running rampant within the Department of Corrections itself.
“I think we really need to look at leadership, and leadership starts at the top. We cannot continue to put our employees at these correctional centers in harm’s way. We have to figure out how to prevent the flow of drugs within our centers. That just leads to potential other violence within the prisons.
“Sen. (Mike) Halpin and myself have been pushing very hard for DOC to bring us up to speed on this. Department of Corrections has a tendency not to be very open on some things. I don’t like being blindsided.”
State Sen. Mike Halpin (D-Rock Island), who also covers Knox County, provided a statement to WGIL on the incidents. “I am aware of the allegations of incidents at Hill Correctional Center. I expect Illinois DOC to fully investigate the matter and provide information to me and the public and, if the allegations are substantiated, provide a plan to prevent future incidents.”
Safety should be a priority
Harlan, in an interview with WGIL, expressed alarm about the situation. “Now, we just had three serious incidents in a matter of a week, and I said this is getting too far out of control, and we definitely need to address it, before some of our correctional officers or another inmate gets killed.”
Scot Ward, president of Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Corrections Lodge 263, shared similar worries in an Oct. 10 statement and a WGIL interview. “The reason for the letter was to serve as an attention getter. This is just the tip of the iceberg, scratching the surface of what is going on in the DOC,” he said. Harlan and Ward also alleged a person incarcerated was killed at Hill in the spring of 2025, an incident also reported by Tri States Public Radio.
“They’re not holding these offenders accountable, and when that happens, it only increases the chances of dangers for my members,” Ward added. “The safety and security of my members are my biggest priorities. At some point, we have to say enough’s enough. If you’re going to continue to allow them to do whatever they want with no consequences, you’re going to have a lawless facility.”
