By C1 Staff
CHICAGO — A lawsuit alleging the Illinois prison health care system is “broken” can now cover all inmates with serious medical needs in every prison in the state.
Judge Jorge Alonso ruled Friday in favor of expanding the suit, which can now potentially cover thousands of inmates. The ACLU claims that the medical and dental care provided to inmates doesn’t meet minimum constitutional standards, the Associated Press reported. The state could be required to make changes at more than two dozen facilities.
“Until today, advocates looking to fix this broken system have been forced to seek redress for one person at a time,” attorney Camille Bennett said. “Allowing this action to move forward on behalf of the entire class of prisoners means that the solutions must be systemic.”
A report published in 2015 found eight state prisons had serious problems, including treatment delays, poor record keeping and haphazard follow-ups. The DOC argued the report provided an incomplete picture of a “comprehensive medical system in place” at the facilities.
Corrections officials told the publication they cannot comment on pending litigation. The case is set for federal court on May 16.