Rep. Kelly Burke Collecting Used Books for Incarcerated Women

EVERGREEN PARK, IL -- Rep. Kelly Burke (36th District) is hosting a book drive May 1 through 15 to collect both fiction and non-fiction books for female inmates at two local detention centers. Many inmates in women’s correctional facilities are facing a critical lack of education resources. Residents are asked to drop off donated books at her district office in Oak Lawn.

“It is important that those who are incarcerated are provided educational opportunities that will build relevant skills once they are released; and for many, this education is provided through books borrowed from the jail’s library,” Burke said. “If we provide more diverse opportunities while people go through rehabilitation in the system, they will be more prepared to be functioning members of society when they ultimately are released and face a lower risk of ending up behind bars again.”

Burke and co-organizers will be collecting lightly used books for the book drive from May 1 to May 15 at Burke’s office, located at 5144 W. 95th St. in Oak Lawn. At its completion, the books will be donated to the libraries of both the Logan Correctional Center and the women’s division of the Cook County jail.

Acting Warden Glen Austin at the Logan Correctional Center said he welcomes the new additions to the prison library. Austin said he plans to establish satellite branches in the residence building to make access to books even more accessible.

“As a former high school teacher who volunteers at Logan Correctional Center, I frequently hear how important books are to the women housed there,” said Ron Browne, a constituent of Rep. Burke’s. “Bringing these literary options to women who are often forgotten about in the mainstream brings smiles to their faces and insight to their minds. I thoroughly enjoy making someone’s day by bringing a book that expands their thoughts and their opportunities once they are released.”

Cook County Correctional Officer Mary Kim McCormick, who also volunteers with inmates, says a lack of reading material for detainees has always been an issue.

“With the new options that we bring, I think we will be able to show inmates different paths to living a successful life after they get out of the system,” McCormick said. “I spend a good amount of time with the inmates here at the women’s division of the Cook County jail, and a lack of substantial reading materials has always been an issue. That is why we are here to help.”

Burke serves the 36th Representative District, which contains parts of Chicago’s Beverly, Mt. Greenwood and Auburn-Gresham neighborhoods and portions of Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn, Chicago Ridge, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Willow Springs and Worth. For more information, please contact Burke’s district office at 708-425-0571 or email kburke@kellyburkerep36.org.