Section 525.202  Definitions

"Assessment" means the initial screening and evaluation of a publication upon entering the facility.

"Chief Administrative Officer" means the highest ranking official of a correctional facility.

"Department" means the Department of Corrections.

"Director" means the Director of the Department of Corrections.

"Individual in Custody" means a person committed to the Department or to the custody of the Department.

"Publication" means any hard or soft-covered book, booklet, magazine, newsletter, newspaper, pamphlet, periodical, any electronic or digital publication, or similar materials.  Publications shall not include individual or mass mailings of advertisements or letters.

"Publisher" means any publisher, book club, or bookstore, any other book, magazine, or newspaper distributor, a religious organization or ministry, an educational institution, or a unit of government conducting mail order business or otherwise delivering publications to readers.

"Review" means an examination of publications by the Facility Publication Review Officer (FPRO) or by the Central Publication Review Committee (CPRC) for compliance with Section 525.220.

"Sexually Explicit Material" means any publication that contains pictorial depictions of actual or simulated sexual acts, including intercourse, oral sex, or masturbation and any publication that by word or picture depicts or describes illegal activity of a sexual nature, sadomasochism, bestiality, or sexual activity involving children (whether actual or perceived) or any publication that depicts or describes any sexually explicit material that would otherwise be contrary to law. Publications that contain nudity without additional elements as provided above or publications that provide research or opinions, or news coverage on sexual assault, sexual health, reproductive issues, or are scientific in nature, shall not be considered sexually explicit.

"Statewide Publications Determination List" means a listing of publications for which the CPRC, as the designee for the Director, has made an official determination of approval, disapproval, or conditional approval. The Statewide Publications Determination List shall be the official list used by all facilities.

(Source:  Amended at 50 Ill. Reg. 1047, effective January 9, 2026)