Killer slips Elgin mental center

A convicted killer escaped Monday evening from the Elgin Mental Health Center by using a visitors pass, police said.

Tolbert Walls, 31, whose last known address was on the 9000 block of Colfax Avenue in Chicago, remained on the loose Tuesday evening after a man and a woman came to visit him about 8 p.m. Monday.

Walls was confined to the mental health center's forensic unit July 17 after he was found unfit to face trial for an armed robbery in Cook County.

Walls used one of his visitor's passes to leave the mental health facility, police said.

Police said a woman visiting Walls during his escape used fake identification and helped Walls get the visitor's pass that helped him escape.

Lisa Mack, 38, of the 8000 block of South Dante, Chicago is charged with aiding escape, a class two felony, police said.

Mack is in custody at the Elgin police department while Walls is still at large.

Elgin police searched the area around the Elgin Mental Heath Center throughout the night Tuesday and say Walls should be considered dangerous.

According to the Illinois Department of Human Services, there are 92 people at the Elgin Mental Health Center who are classified as unfit to stand trial.

"We are evaluating all procedures to protect public safety," said Rikeesha Cannon, a spokeswoman for the Department of Human Services. "As of today (Tuesday), we have instituted a new visitation policy for the Elgin Mental Health Center."

In light of Walls' escape, changes to the visitation policy include:

• All visitors have to present photo identification which will be held by security until their visit is completed.

• If there is any trouble, the visitor will be stopped by security.

• All visitors' hands will be stamped.

• All patients will have to sign in before leaving a patient area.

• Security officers now will scan patients before allowing them to go through certain doors.

• All vehicular traffic in front of the visitors building will be stopped.

The Elgin Police Department has created a community alert bulletin, which describes Walls as 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighing 175 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information pertaining to his whereabouts is encouraged to call the Elgin Police Department at (847) 289-2700 or the confidential crime line at (847) 695-4195.