Embattled Ill. prisons chief resigns; oversaw politically embarrassing inmate release program

Embattled Illinois prisons chief resigns

CHICAGO — Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says his embattled chief of prisons is resigning to pursue a new opportunity.

Quinn said Thursday that he would name a replacement soon for Corrections Director Michael Randle.

Randle’s departure comes after a review last month of a secret program that granted early release to more than 1,700 prisoners before it was revealed by The Associated Press and halted. Some of those released have violent records.

Quinn, a Democrat running for his first full term as governor, heaped most of the blame for the program on Randle. Randle has said Quinn ordered that violent offenders not be released as part of the program.