Cook County Jail Archives

Federal Court intervenes as the humanitarian crisis in Cook County Jail grows

The federal judge’s order didn’t go as far as some civil rights advocates had hoped. The ongoing work of pushing for structural change to the criminal justice system must continue.

by Flint Taylor April 14, 2020January 8, 2024

Cook County Jail

Former U. Chicago student, shot by police, has COVID-19 symptoms in Cook County jail

Charles Thomas has been denied bond twice since mid-March, even as judges and prosecutors have said publicly that they are doing everything they can to release people from the jail.

by Jonah Newman April 7, 2020January 8, 2024

Cook County Jail

Track the coronavirus cases inside Cook County jail

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Injustice Watch has been tracking the number of cases and the population inside the Cook County Jail.

by Jonah Newman March 26, 2020April 9, 2021

Cook County Jail

As coronavirus spreads in Cook County jail, 300 people have been released

Data shows people are still being booked into the jail, even as 17 detainees and four correctional officers have tested positive so far for the virus that causes COVID-19.

by Jonah Newman March 25, 2020December 5, 2023

Chief Cook County Judge Timothy Evans in October 201. | Rich Hein/Sun-Times

Cook County Jail

Activists demand courts release detainees amid COVID-19 concerns

In an open letter to Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans, reform advocates are demanding the release of as many detainees as possible in order to mitigate risks related to the new coronavirus.

by Connor Echols March 19, 2020January 8, 2024

Court Administration

Cook County Chief Judge sues County Board over budget

Cook County’s Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans filed suit against the Cook County Board Thursday, contending the budget cuts would require laying off 161 court employees and put in jeopardy recent efforts to revamp the county’s bail system.

by Emily Hoerner November 30, 2017December 5, 2023

Bail and Pretrial

Report: Judging bail reform impossible because officials withhold key data

The county judges and sheriff make meaningful review of bail reforms difficult by withholding key data, the Civic Federation reports.

by Emily Hoerner November 15, 2017December 5, 2023

Prosecutors

Five years of waiting in jail, then a quick jury acquittal

Omar Williams was detained for five years, eight months and twelve days on charges of murder. In less than two hours, 12 jurors acquitted him. Williams’s case offered a striking view of just how slowly Cook County’s wheels of justice can move, how askew justice can go and the toll it can take on the lives of those caught up in the system.

by Emily Hoerner August 16, 2017December 5, 2023

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