In 1990 Illinois enacted a ban on private prisons which remains in place in 2012, declaring that “the management and operation of a correctional facility or institution involves functions that are inherently governmental.”
https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/073001400K1.htm
CORRECTIONS
(730 ILCS 140/) Private Correctional Facility Moratorium Act.
(730 ILCS 140/1) (from Ch. 38, par. 1581)
Sec. 1. Short title. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the Private Correctional Facility Moratorium Act.
(Source: P.A. 86-1412.)
https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/073001400K1.htm
(730 ILCS 140/2) (from Ch. 38, par. 1582)
Sec. 2. Legislative findings. The General Assembly hereby finds and declares that the management and operation of a correctional facility or institution involves functions that are inherently governmental. The imposition of punishment on errant citizens through incarceration requires the State, any unit of local government or a county sheriff, to exercise its coercive police powers over individuals and is thus distinguishable from privatization in other areas of government. It is further found that issues of liability, accountability and cost warrant a prohibition of the ownership, operation or management of correctional facilities by for-profit private contractors.
(Source: P.A. 97-380, eff. 1-1-12.)
https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/073001400K2.htm
(730 ILCS 140/3) (from Ch. 38, par. 1583)
Sec. 3. Certain contracts prohibited. After the effective date of this Act, the State, any unit of local government, or a county sheriff, shall not contract with a private contractor or private vendor for the provision of services relating to the operation of a correctional facility or the incarceration of persons in the custody of the Department of Corrections, the Department of Juvenile Justice, or a sheriff; however, this Act does not apply to (1) State work release centers or juvenile residential facilities that provide separate care or special treatment operated in whole or part by private contractors or (2) contracts for ancillary services, including medical services, educational services, repair and maintenance contracts, or other services not directly related to the ownership, management or operation of security services in a correctional facility.
(Source: P.A. 97-380, eff. 1-1-12.)
https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/073001400K3.htm
(730 ILCS 140/4) (from Ch. 38, par. 1584)
Sec. 4. Applicability. In case of any conflict between this Act and any other law, this Act shall control.
(Source: P.A. 86-1412.)