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Big Muddy River Correctional Center in Ina, Ill., houses about 120 men who are deemed sexually dangerous people by psychiatrists. The men are not convicted of a crime but are held indefinitely at the prison to receive treatment. (Blair Paddock / WTTW News)
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Under two different Illinois laws, people charged with sex offenses are subject to indefinite detention.
One is a pre-conviction law, the Sexually Dangerous Persons Act. Despite not having been convicted of the crime — only charged — defendants can be sent to the Big Muddy River Correctional Center in downstate Illinois.
The other is a post-conviction law, the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act, which commits people to the Treatment and Detention Facility in Rushville after they’ve already served a prison sentence for a sex offense — sometimes for decades.
In Illinois, more than 500 people are currently committed under these two laws, known as civil commitment laws.
Under each act, people committed aren’t technically in prison. But those detained in each facility would argue otherwise. They’re in high-security buildings with high fences topped with barbed wire. Some have access to computers or tablets, but not the internet. The only way out of each facility is to complete treatment, but residents at each facility said there’s a dearth of meaningful programming.
WTTW News reporters Blair Paddock, Brandis Friedman and Jared Rutecki spent more than a year talking to those impacted by these acts and poring over state documents and data, offering a glimpse into legal and treatment processes in Illinois that have largely eluded the public eye.
The state agencies running these programs argue they provide structure and evidence-based treatment, while maintaining safety. But the stories of the men we spoke to raise questions about whether such civil commitment laws for people charged or convicted of a sex offense serve public safety — or leave these men serving an effective life sentence.
Read our investigations into the Big Muddy River program that was recently ordered to provide more therapy to participants and the Treatment and Detention Facility in Rushville, where residents say they have no clear path to freedom.
What to read:
No Trial. No Guilty Verdict. Just Years Behind Bars.
This story explores the law that holds people who’ve only been charged with a crime — never convicted or sentenced.
How a Decades-Old Illinois Law Detains Some Convicted Sex Offenders Indefinitely
This story examines the law that continues to hold people after they’ve served their sentences, sometimes for decades.
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Sponsor Message
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Life happens outside your comfort zone. Out Here, a courageous new musical at Court Theatre by Leslie Buxbaum, David J. Levin, and Erin McKeown, invites you to be among the first to experience Dawn’s journey. Torn between her husband, her family, and her ex-girlfriend Robin, Dawn must discover how to harmonize with those she loves and embrace change. Enjoy an intimate, joyful exploration of family, identity, and the choices that shape us. Out Here is on stage at Court Theatre April 10–May 10.
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(WTTW News)
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A key City Council panel voted 6-3 on Monday to advance a proposal designed to rid the Chicago Police Department of officers with ties to hate groups and far-right extremist organizations.
The City Council’s Workforce Development Committee advanced the measure crafted by Ald. Matt Martin (47th Ward) after a lengthy debate over whether all city employees, not just CPD members, should be banned from “actively participating” in extremist and anti-government groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.
Alds. Marty Quinn (13th Ward), Derrick Curtis (18th Ward) and Nicholas Sposato (38th Ward) voted against the measure, which is set for a final vote by the full City Council on Wednesday. Just two alderpeople can block a vote on the proposal at that meeting, according to the City Council’s rules.
Curtis, a former Chicago Housing Authority police officer and employee of the Department of Streets and Sanitation, said he would support a measure that would apply to all city employees.
“Police are just getting beat up on,” Curtis said.
There are no public allegations that city workers in any other department other than CPD have documented ties to anti-government or extremist groups.
What else happened?
Chicago officials would be required to speed efforts to approve city licenses to allow video gambling at bars and restaurants under a measure that advanced Monday, despite warnings that it will handicap the city’s permanent casino even before it opens and strain city resources.
The Chicago City Council’s License and Consumer Protection Committee voted to direct the city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection to begin processing requests from bars and restaurants that want to offer video poker and slots even as state gambling officials process their applications for licenses.
Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) cast the lone no vote against the measure, which now heads to a final vote by the City Council on Wednesday. Just two alderpeople can block a vote on the proposal at that meeting, according to the City Council’s rules.
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Every Monday, Back of the Yards Coffeehouse hosts Senior Mondays, welcoming seniors to enjoy a free coffee and pastry while participating in activities designed to foster community and connection. (WTTW News)
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As people age, staying connected can become harder.
Research shows loneliness is a real concern for older adults, including those living in Chicago neighborhoods.
Every Monday, Back of the Yards Coffeehouse hosts Senior Mondays, welcoming seniors to enjoy a free coffee and pastry while participating in activities designed to foster community and connection.
The idea for Senior Mondays came after owner Jesse Iñiguez and his wife noticed their own parents struggling to find social spaces in the neighborhood.
“My mom’s a senior,” Iñiguez said. “A lot of folks in my generation are taking care of kids and the seniors. And in some cases, there are seniors that are locked up behind closed doors, and they’re invisible.”
On a recent Monday, seniors gathered for a yoga class, followed by conversation, laughter and games like bingo, lotería and dominoes.
For 67-year-old Georgina Clara, the event provides a much-needed sense of connection. Having lived in Back of the Yards for more than three decades — raising six children and building a life in the neighborhood — she now focuses on staying active and social.
“This is really nice because I’m a very social person, and the reality is many children forget about their moms,” Clara said in Spanish. “Here, it feels like you’re finding family.”
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More From WTTW News:
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Via AP: The U.S.-born and Chicago-area native Pope Leo XIV pushed back Monday on President Donald Trump’s broadside against him over the U.S.-Israel war in Iran, telling reporters that the Vatican’s appeals for peace and reconciliation are rooted in the Gospel, and that he doesn’t fear
the Trump administration.
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Back in the Day: April 14, 1865 - President Abraham Lincoln Assassinated
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Abraham Lincoln was the first U.S. President to represent Illinois. (If you’re curious, there are only three more in the nation’s history: Ulysses S. Grant, who lived in Galena, Illinois; Barack Obama, who lives in Chicago and served as Illinois Senator; and Ronald Reagan, who was born in Tampico, Illinois). On this day, 161 years ago, President Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth during a production of the play “Our American Cousin” at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. Five days prior, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee had surrendered to the Union forces, ending the Civil War. But Booth, an avid supporter of the Confederate cause and an aspiring actor, snuck into
the theater and shot Lincoln, killing him. The news, announced in Chicago via a Tribune headline titled “Terrible News,” rocked the city. The Tribune reported, “Strong men wept in the streets” upon hearing of his passing.
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This Week’s Staff Recommendations
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Every Tuesday, WTTW News staffers highlight their favorite things in Chicago.
Joel Ortiz: As the summer whispers its way into our thawing hearts after a long winter and an increasingly indecisive spring, it’s never too early to start planning how you’ll observe the beautiful time of year where Chicago transforms into its colloquially known counterpart, “Chiami.” There’s no set-in-stone path on how to be outside for this time of year, but if you’re out of ideas, here are some suggestions based on a spectrum of Chicago to Miami.
Jackson Park’s Osaka Garden, off 64th and Stony Island, offers a splash of serenity inspired by its namesake city in Japan. Perfect for meditative walks, photo ops with friends, or just absorbing the vibes. Honorable mentions include the Tom Ping park, the north branch of the Chicago Riverfront trail, the 606 and the Garfield Park Conservatory.
Both cities have an immaculate food truck scene, with many offering up food from across Latin America. While Floridians take pride in their food trucks, Chicago’s changing the game with gems like El Azteca, La Cocinita and Aztec Dave’s offer up some serious competition.
While the nearest ocean may be a thousand miles away, Chicago sits on—arguably—the greatest of lakes, Lake Michigan. It’s so big, in fact, some people call us the third coast. What else says “Chiami” more than gliding the tides on a Water Taxi or Jet Ski? For those who want to take
it slow, try a river Duffy Boat or even a Hot Tub. If you’d rather be by the water, you can’t go wrong with any of our beaches like Foster Beach, North Avenue Beach or 57th Street Beach.
Regardless of how you celebrate, Chicago’s summertime is meant to be spent outside. Choose what works best for you and enjoy what this beautiful city has to offer.
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What's your favorite fancy restaurant in Chicago?
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry
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