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.

Social Visits for Detainees at Cook County Jail Suspended as Part of COVID-19 Precautions

As part of ongoing efforts to address the COVID-19 virus, all visits to detainees at the Cook County Department of Corrections (DOC) will be suspended until further notice, effective Sunday, March 15, Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced today.

While there are currently no known cases of COVID-19 in the DOC, the decision to suspend visits was made based on the recommendations of the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control, the Department of Justice, and other state and local health officials.

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.