Illinois has two separate phone systems. The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) operates all state prisons under a statewide contract with ICSolutions, which replaced Securus in early 2025. Illinois's 102 counties each operate their own jails and contract phone services independently.
Two important things to know up front:
First, if you had a Securus account for an IDOC state prison, that account no longer works. You need to create a new ICSolutions account. The individual in custody's phone list (PAN) and trust account funds transferred to ICSolutions automatically, but your Prepaid Collect (friends and family) account did not transfer. To get a Securus refund for any remaining balance, call 1-800-844-6591.
Second, IDOC's official term for people in state custody is "individuals in custody" - not "inmates." This language carries through the ICSolutions platform and all IDOC communications.
PART 1 - ILLINOIS STATE PRISONS (IDOC)
Phone vendor: ICSolutions
IDOC transitioned from Securus to ICSolutions starting February 3, 2025, on a facility-by-facility basis. The transition was completed across all facilities. Video visitation also transitioned to ICSolutions from GTL; all facilities except Adult Transition Centers (ATCs) completed that transition as of June 10, 2025.
How IDOC phone calls work
Individuals in custody place outgoing calls only. You cannot call into the facility. The individual calls from a facility phone to numbers on their approved calling list. All calls are monitored and recorded. Voice validation is required to place calls.
To be on the approved calling list, write to the individual in custody and ask to be added. They submit the request through the facility.
Three-way calls are strictly prohibited and result in disciplinary action.
20-minute maximum per call.
Setting up an ICSolutions account
Online: icsolutions.com
Phone: 888-506-8407 (24/7/365)
App: ICSolutions app (Android, Apple, Windows)
Mail: ICS Corrections, Inc./ICSolutions, Attn: Customer Service, 2200 Danbury Street, San Antonio TX 78217
Account types:
Prepaid Collect: You fund an account tied to your phone number. When the individual calls your number, costs are deducted from your balance. Cell phones are accepted. First call includes a complimentary 60-second call with the option to set up an account.
Debit (Individual in Custody): The individual in custody purchases phone time using funds from their IDOC trust account. Debit calling allows calls to any approved number. You can contribute to the trust account through IDOC's deposit services at idoc.illinois.gov/communityresources/inmatedepositservices.html.
Direct Bill: Available only to attorneys and bondsmen. Monthly billing. Call 800-464-8957.
Calling rates - IDOC statewide (ICSolutions contract)
Domestic calls: $0.008 per minute
That is eight-tenths of one cent per minute. A 20-minute call costs $0.16. This is among the lowest rates in the country for state prison phone calls.
International calls: carrier cost + $0.06 per minute; capped at $0.23 per minute per Illinois state statute (730 ILCS 5/3-4-1(a-5)).
Voicemail: $0.15 per voicemail (30 seconds)
CorrLinks text chat: $0.15 per message
No ancillary transaction fees imposed by ICS Corrections. Exception: Western Union's SwiftPay product charges $5.50 if you use that payment method.
Funding methods
Visa and MasterCard credit cards, debit cards, Western Union, money orders, cashier's checks. No personal checks.
Voicemail
To leave a voicemail for an individual in custody, call 217-426-0499. You need your 4-digit ICSolutions account PIN and the individual's state ID number. Voicemails are 30 seconds; cost is $0.15.
Text messaging - CorrLinks
Text messages to IDOC individuals in custody are handled through CorrLinks, a separate platform from ICSolutions. Unlike phone calls, you do not need to be on an approved list to send text messages via CorrLinks.
Setup: corrlinks.com; download the CorrLinks Text Chat smartphone app
Cost: $0.15 per message
Messages are printed and delivered to the individual like regular mail. At this time, replies are not always available.
Video visitation - ICSolutions
Video visits are scheduled through ICSolutions (same account as phone service). All IDOC facilities except ATCs have transitioned to ICSolutions video from GTL. Register at icsolutions.com. If you had a GTL Visitor ID, enter it during registration to speed up approval.
Instructions: icscorrections.com/docs/Visitation%20Registration%20Process.pdf
IDOC contact and inmate locator
Inmate locator (search by name or IDOC number): idoc.illinois.gov/offender/index
IDOC headquarters:
1301 Concordia Court, P.O. Box 19277
Springfield, IL 62794-9277
Phone: 217-558-2200 | TDD: 800-526-0844
Note on old Securus accounts
IDOC state prisons no longer use Securus. If you previously had a Securus Prepaid Collect (friends and family) account for an IDOC facility:
- That account does NOT work at IDOC facilities
- Create a new ICSolutions Prepaid Collect account at icsolutions.com or 888-506-8407
- To get a refund for any remaining Securus balance: call Securus at 1-800-844-6591
The individual in custody's phone list (PAN) and Securus trust account funds transferred to ICSolutions automatically during the transition.
PART 2 - ILLINOIS COUNTY JAILS (102 counties)
Illinois has 102 counties, each operating its own jail. County jails contract phone services independently from IDOC. The vendor, rates, and setup process at a county jail are completely separate from ICSolutions state prison accounts. An ICSolutions account set up for an IDOC state prison does not automatically work at a county jail, even if that jail also uses ICSolutions.
How to find the current vendor for a county jail
Go to the county sheriff's official website and look for pages labeled "Inmate Telephone," "Jail Services," or "Inmate Services." The vendor name, website, and customer service number will be listed there. If not found online, call the jail directly.
Major vendors at Illinois county jails
Securus Technologies: Used at some Illinois county jails including some Cook County facilities and Will County. Setup at securustech.net; 1-800-844-6591.
ViaPath / ConnectNetwork (formerly GTL): Used at some Illinois county jails including Lake County. Setup at connectnetwork.com; 877-650-4249.
ICSolutions: Used at some Illinois county jails (separate accounts from IDOC state prison contracts). Setup at icsolutions.com; 888-506-8407.
Notable county examples (verify before relying on this information)
Cook County (Chicago area): Cook County is the largest county in Illinois and includes the Cook County Jail, one of the largest single-site jails in the country. Historically used Securus; verify current vendor directly at cookcountysheriff.org or call the jail.
Will County Detention Facility:
Historic vendor: Securus; 815-740-1250
Verify current vendor before setting up an account.
Lake County Jail (Waukegan):
Tablets: ViaPath/GettingOut
Phone vendor: verify directly; lakecountyil.gov
All other counties: Contact each county jail directly or check its official website.
What to do before the first call
For an IDOC state prison:
1. Find the individual's IDOC number and current facility at idoc.illinois.gov/offender/index
2. Write to the individual in custody and ask to be added to their approved calling list
3. Set up an ICSolutions Prepaid Collect account at icsolutions.com or 888-506-8407
4. Fund the account
5. Wait for the individual to initiate the call
For an Illinois county jail:
1. Find the inmate through the county jail's inmate search or the county sheriff's website
2. Identify the current phone vendor from the jail's official website
3. Create an account with that vendor only
4. Add funds
5. Wait for the inmate to call
Frequently asked questions
Who provides phone calls at Illinois state prisons?
ICSolutions, statewide, since February 2025. Setup at icsolutions.com or 888-506-8407.
What does a call cost?
$0.008 per minute - less than one cent per minute. A 20-minute call costs $0.16.
I had a Securus account. Do I need to do anything?
Yes. Create a new ICSolutions account - your Securus Prepaid Collect account does not transfer. For Securus balance refunds, call 1-800-844-6591. The individual in custody's phone list and trust account funds transferred automatically.
How do I send a text message?
Through CorrLinks (corrlinks.com), not ICSolutions. You do not need to be on an approved list. Cost: $0.15 per message.
Can I leave a voicemail?
Yes. Call 217-426-0499 with your ICSolutions PIN and the individual's state ID number. Cost: $0.15 per message (30 seconds).
What is the maximum call length?
20 minutes.
Are attorney calls private?
Attorney calls require prior special arrangements through IDOC legal staff. Contact the specific facility to set up unmonitored attorney calls.
Do county jails use ICSolutions?
Some do; not all. Cook County historically used Securus. Lake County uses ViaPath tablets. Always verify the specific county jail's vendor before setting up an account. ====================================================================