(October 15, 2015, 7:20 AM EDT) -- CHICAGO — An Illinois federal judge on Oct. 8 certified a class of deaf and hard of hearing prisoners who allege that they have been improperly denied the hearing accommodations they need to communicate with others, participate in programs and follow safety warnings and directives (Ralph Holmes, et al. v. Salvador A. Godinez, No. 11-2961, N.D. Ill.; 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 137388).

(Opinion available. Document #43-151016-018Z.)

Eleven deaf or hard of hearing prisoners filed their class complaint against Salvador Godinez, the director of the Illinois Department...