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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
REQUESTING HEARINGS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE FROM THE SENIOR STAFF OF THE COOK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
WHEREAS, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office implements one of the core functions of County government through jail and law enforcement operations; and
WHEREAS, the stated mission of the Cook County Department of Corrections is to ensure the safety of the citizens, correctional staff, and inmates of Cook County; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department is the third largest police department in the State of Illinois, with more than 500 officers and 100 civilian personnel; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office budget over $600 million dollars, the second largest budget outside of the healthcare system, is the largest of any single elected office in Cook County Government; and
WHEREAS, Cook County’s authority is to have the power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs including, but not limited to, the power to regulate for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Board of Commissioners has a vested interest in understanding the operations and policies of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office to ensure the safety and welfare of all Cook County residents including inmates at the Cook County Jail; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Board of Commissioners also has a fiduciary duty to Cook County taxpayers and regular updates from the Sheriff are necessary due to the size of the office’s budget; and
WHEREAS, there is an important discussion happening in our country about the reimagining of the criminal justice system because of the systemic racism and disproportionate impact of the system on Black residents; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby request meetings of the Criminal Justice Committee be convened every month that there is a full Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled to discuss the operations of the Cook County Jail and Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department including but not limited to issues around use of force, commissary services, phone and tablet services, and healthcare and be prepared to provide documentation regarding these programs and topics; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Sheriff and the senior staff of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office appear before the Committee and be prepared to update the Committee on these topics and all operations at the Cook County Jail and Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department.
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