Illinois Senate Approves Land Transfer from Joliet Prison to Forest Preserve

The Illinois State Senate has approved legislation to transfer ownership of 135 acres of land from the former Joliet Correctional Center to the Will County Forest Preserve District. Sponsored by Senator Rachel Ventura, the bill, known as Senate Bill 1698, received Senate approval on Wednesday and is now set to be reviewed by the House.

In a statement regarding the bill, Ventura emphasized the importance of this transfer for local oversight and environmental cleanup. “This transfer will bring much-needed oversight and cleanup to land that has been neglected for too long,” she stated. Ventura highlighted that management by the forest preserve would ensure proper land use and improve accessibility for the local community.

The proposed transfer does not include the former prison buildings, which have been repurposed as Old Joliet Prison and are open to the public for tours. The adjacent women’s prison is operated by a private company as The Old Joliet Haunted Prison. The city of Joliet currently leases the entire property from the state and is in negotiations to renew its lease, which expired in December 2023.

City officials have not publicly stated their position on the proposed transfer. However, local criticism has emerged regarding the management of the undeveloped land. Neighbors have raised concerns about illegal activities, including dumping, unsanctioned firearms practice, and unauthorized alterations to the wetlands. Ventura’s release noted specific issues that have arisen in the area, such as “unsupervised fires and alcohol consumption, illegal dumping of construction materials, and unauthorized tree removal.”

A community group seeking to establish a disc golf course has gained access to a section of the undeveloped land with city approval. The bill’s passage would facilitate the transfer of this land to the forest preserve district for a nominal fee of $1.

Destinee Ortiz, president of the forest preserve district board, expressed eagerness to collaborate with state leaders and local partners to maximize the potential of the property. The district aims to restore and enhance the land for public enjoyment and ecological benefit.

The Joliet Correctional Center was officially closed in 2002, following concerns about trespassing, arson, and other criminal activities associated with the abandoned facility. In 2017, the city of Joliet secured a lease that granted it control of the entire property, allowing for better management and oversight. The Joliet Area Historical Museum manages the Old Joliet Prison in partnership with the city, which also has a sublease with Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group for the haunted prison attraction.

As this legislation moves to the House, the potential for revitalization of the land is anticipated to bring positive changes to the community.