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Ask the Right Office: Illinois

Pick a problem to see the office, the official rule, the deadlines and who must file. Then fill in a plain-English letter in your browser, print or save it as a PDF, and add a follow-up date to your calendar.

What this page can and can't tell you

Can: Which office to write to and how to put together a clear letter.

Can't: It can't give an official release date, say whether a specific person qualifies, or give legal advice. Only the DOC, the board or a court decides.

A letter doesn't replace the required official grievance form or procedure, and those have deadlines. If you're worried about retaliation, keep copies and dates of everything you send, and tell the person's attorney or a legal aid office if anything changes afterward.

Free legal help: Legal Services Corporation: find legal aid (civil matters). For criminal cases, ask the public defender's office that handled the case.






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Illinois at a glance

ProblemOfficeDeadline to fileResponse deadline
Time calculation reviewYour institutional counselor (discipline complaints go straight to the Grievance Officer)Within 60 days after discovering the problem (late filing allowed for good cause).Grievance Officer reports to the Chief Administrative Officer within two months when reasonably feasible; the CAO then decides in writing.
Credit (good time) disputeYour institutional counselor (discipline complaints go straight to the Grievance Officer)Within 60 days after discovering the problem (late filing allowed for good cause).Grievance Officer reports to the Chief Administrative Officer within two months when reasonably feasible; the CAO then decides in writing.
Medical request or complaintYour institutional counselor (discipline complaints go straight to the Grievance Officer)Within 60 days after discovering the problem (late filing allowed for good cause).Grievance Officer reports to the Chief Administrative Officer within two months when reasonably feasible; the CAO then decides in writing.
Visit or mail denial appealYour institutional counselor (discipline complaints go straight to the Grievance Officer)Within 60 days after discovering the problem (late filing allowed for good cause).Grievance Officer reports to the Chief Administrative Officer within two months when reasonably feasible; the CAO then decides in writing.
Records requestThe records custodian at the agency that keeps the recordNo filing deadline in the statute.Comply or deny within 5 business days; one extension of up to 5 more business days.
Parole fileYour institutional counselor (discipline complaints go straight to the Grievance Officer)Within 60 days after discovering the problem (late filing allowed for good cause).Grievance Officer reports to the Chief Administrative Officer within two months when reasonably feasible; the CAO then decides in writing.
Disability (ADA) accommodationFacility ADA Coordinator (grievances are forwarded by the facility)Within 60 days after discovering the problem (late filing allowed for good cause).Grievance Officer reports to the Chief Administrative Officer within two months when reasonably feasible; the CAO then decides in writing.
Transfer or classificationNot publishedNot publishedNot published

Grievance rule: 20 Ill. Adm. Code 504.810–504.850 (opens in new tab). Records: 5 ILCS 140/3 (Illinois FOIA) (opens in new tab). Who files a grievance: The offender.

Not legal advice. Rules change and facilities may add local steps; the official text controls. Missing a deadline can end a claim. Find free legal aid (LSC) (opens in new tab). Last checked .

Other states · Illinois credit rules · Check a release calculation · Release countdown · What do I do now?

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