Republicans have criticized Corrections Director Tony Godinez about prison overcrowding and understaffing. But Governor Quinn, a Democrat, says Godinez has done a good job leading the department.
"They understand the importance of public safety for everyone. For the prison guards, for the public, and for the inmates, and Tony understands that, and he's going forward." -Gov. Pat Quinn
The Illinois Senate will vote whether to approve Godinez. Godinez was first appointed in 2011. He was in charge when the state last year closed the Tamm's supermax prison in southern Illinois. He has also been instrumental as the state moves forward closing the Dwight Correctional Center. The closures have forced the agency to house inmates in prison gyms, rather than dorms.
Illinois Public Radio's Chris Slaby contributed to this report.