Notice to family members and loved ones of detainees in custody at the Cook County Department of Corrections

Circuit Court of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans has issued an order postponing many court proceedings, effective March 17, 2020, as a precautionary measure due to COVID-19.  This order does not affect certain court matters, including:

• Jury trials in progress
• Motions to review bail
• Plea agreements
• Arraignments and preliminary hearings

Questions about the status of your loved one’s case should be directed to their attorney. If they are represented by a Public Defender, please visit this website for contact information: https://www.cookcountypublicdefender.org/contact

For information about COVID-19, please call the Illinois Department of Public Health at 1-800-889-3931

Cook County Resumption of  Court Operations and Services Plan

With the number of COVID-19 cases in Chicago and Cook County on the rise, and in light of the current stay-at-home advisory for the City of Chicago, the Cook County Department of Corrections (CCDOC) is temporarily suspending in-person visits at the jail.

In June, the Cook County Jail was one of the first jails or prisons to re-instate in-person visitation, using an outdoor, socially distant setting in which all visitors are screened and their temperatures are taken prior to meeting with their loved ones who are in custody. For months, detainees were able to safely meet with family and friends. Like detainees, the people who visit them come from the community, where current test positivity rates for Chicago and Cook County are at 15.6% and 15.2% respectively. While CCDOC has had great success containing the virus, given the strong encouragement by state and local health officials to promote staying at home and the current test positivity rates in the community, this temporary modification will help protect the health and safety of staff and detainees.

Jail staff, in close coordination with our partners at Cermak Health Services, continue to combat the virus through proven interventions such as social distancing, limited movement, and aggressive testing protocols. Video visitation will continue to be provided to detainees as it has since April, and in-person visitation will be reinstated soon as it is safe to do so.

Family Video Visits – Conducted via SKYPE.  The visitor must have an active SKYPE account set up with an email address.  To set up an account visit:   https://www.skype.com/en/.   

Violations – CCDOC Rules and Regulations apply to video visits – no drinking, smoking, inappropriate behavior or nudity.  Violations can result in the revocation of visiting privileges.  To view additional CCDOC Rules and Regulations please visit: https://inmatelocator.ccsheriff.org/Home/RulesandRegulations

Family and friends wishing to participate and receive either an In-Person or Video Visit may consult with their loved one. Next, your detained friend or family member will need to add your name to the visitation list and you will be contacted by a CCSO staff member to schedule a day and time for your visit.

Divisional Phone Numbers for Skype Questions:

Skype Visits Dedicated Telephone Numbers

HOW-TO GUIDE LINK HERE

During this time, attorneys and clergy members will be able to visit detainees but will be screened by staff for symptoms of COVID-19. Staff are also working to expand opportunities for detainees to communicate with their loved ones by phone. The health and safety of DOC staff, detainees, and the public will continue to be the primary concern of the Sheriff’s Office.