UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

CENTRAL DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS

JOHN M. WATERS	OFFICE OF THE CLERK	TEL: 217-492-4020

CLERK OF COURT	151 U.S. COURTHOUSE	FAX: 217-492-4028

600 EAST MONROE STREET

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS 62701

June 1, 2006

Mr. Ed Huntley

Chief Legal Counsel

Illinois Department of Corrections

Springfield, Illinois

Dear Mr. Huntley:

The United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois invites the Illinois Department of Corrections and, specifically, the Pontiac Correctional Center, to participate in a pilot project designed to reduce the cost of processing court filings made by prisoners in civil rights cases brought under 42 U.S.C. §1983. This proposal, if adopted and properly executed, will significantly reduce the expenditures for paper, envelopes, copier supplies and postage for the Pontiac Correctional Center. Furthermore, it will substantially reduce the amount of staff time spent on prisoner court filings, for both the Pontiac Correctional Center staff and the Court. The details of this proposed pilot program are discussed in the attached proposal.

Please contact Cynthia Fears, Pro se Law Clerk, at 217-373-5830 to let the Court know whether the Illinois Department of Corrections is willing to participate in the proposed pilot program. Cynthia can also be reached by mail at the following address: United States District Court, 201 S. Vine Street, Urbana, Illinois 61802.

As the Court is ready to move forward with this project, a response to the proposal within the next two weeks would be appreciated. Further, if you have questions and/or comments, or wish to set up a meeting, you may contact Cynthia Fears.

Sincerely,

s/ John M. Waters

John M. Waters

Clerk of Court

Attachment

c: The Honorable Harold A. Baker

Mr. Christopher Higgerson, Illinois

Attorney General Office

Ms. Cynthia Fears

Mr. Jeff Gustafson

Ms. Pamela Robinson