James ‘Butch’ Handy
James 'Butch' Handy was 77 when he died on January 22, 2024, while held in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections at Graham Correctional Center. A Vietnam veteran who later worked in construction and landscaping, he loved plants and his prized jade tree, and his family describes him as the partner of Carol for 46 years and the father of six children. The state's report to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority lists the manner of death as natural causes, and the Illinois Department of Corrections gave that account. His family says he was admitted to Hillsboro Health Hospital with breathing complications, that doctors told them he would not survive the day, and that they learned of his death by phone from medical staff; they say they had applied three times for medical release under the Joe Coleman Medical Release Act and were denied each time without reasons.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness. The Illinois Department of Corrections reported the death as natural causes, and Handy's family says he was admitted to a hospital with breathing complications and died there after they were denied medical release three times.
Reported by: Illinois Department of Corrections (the agency that held him); Handy's family (family or their lawyers).