Illinois prison money & phone fees, compared
What it costs to send money and take calls from IDOC, using only fees IDOC publishes, each with its source and date. Where a fee isn't published, we say so; we never guess.
Sending money
Options IDOC names: JPay (approved provider) (opens in new tab)
Official fees and rates
- Electronic deposits can be up to $5,000 ($3,000 for MoneyGram). JPay and Western Union deposits usually post in 24-48 business hours; MoneyGram in 72-96.
- Money orders (up to $999.99) are payable to JPay and go with IDOC's lockbox deposit slip to: PO Box 260250, Hollywood, FL 33026. Do not send money orders to the facility.
Other official notes
- Deposits go through the state's approved providers, which IDOC lists as JPay, MoneyGram (receive code 7364, blue Express Payment form) and Western Union's Send2Corrections. Use the person's IDOC number and last name.
- IDOC no longer uses GTL/ConnectNetwork for deposits.
Source: official IDOC page (opens in new tab) · checked
Phone calls, video and messages
Options IDOC names: ICSolutions (approved provider) (opens in new tab)
Official fees and rates
Not published on the official IDOC page we read. Vendors show their fee before you pay; check it there.
Other official notes
- Phone service is from the state's approved provider, which IDOC lists as ICSolutions. People in custody can only call numbers on their approved list, so write and ask to be added.
- To get calls on a cell phone, set up a prepaid ICSolutions account first (888-506-8407). Calls can also be paid from the person's own trust account through commissary.
- Calls may show varying caller-ID numbers so they aren't flagged as spam.
- Video visits are scheduled through ICSolutions at least 7 days and up to 30 days ahead; up to 2 a week, 1 a day, up to 3 approved visitors. All video visits are recorded.
Source: official IDOC page (opens in new tab) · checked
Ways to keep costs down
- If IDOC lists a free option (often a mailed money order), it says so above.
- Fees often step up with the amount; a vendor's checkout screen shows the exact fee before you pay.
- Compare states: all states side by side.
OutSooner has no sponsors or affiliate links; vendors are named only because IDOC names them. Not financial or legal advice.
Other states · Illinois mail rules · Visit-day checklist · Illinois prisons and family guide
Sources: How we source and verify · Last verified: · Corrections