Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections set to retire this year

Posted on December 13, 2014

By The Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD – The director of Illinois' Department of Corrections has announced he'll retire at the end of the year.

Department officials say S.A. "Tony" Godinez told staff of his decision on Thursday. The 62-year-old was first appointed to the role in April of 2011. He was reappointed last spring.

Godinez is among the first agency heads appointed by outgoing Gov. Pat Quinn to announce he's leaving.

The corrections department came under criticism for a number of issues during his tenure, including concerns about alleged overcrowding. Godinez followed Quinn's directive to close two prisons and sell one to the federal government.

GOP Governor-elect Bruce Rauner has been critical of Illinois' prison system under Quinn, making it likely Godinez would not have stayed on when Rauner takes office in January.

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