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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A HEARING OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE COOK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ON ELECTRONIC MONITORING
WHEREAS, Electronic monitoring is a pre-trial program that was created with the objective of relieving overcrowding in the Cook County Jail. Instead of jail confinement, electronic monitoring provides a community-based alternative that allows non-violent defendants and short-time sentenced inmates to remain in the community; and
WHEREAS, since 2014, Cook County judges have ordered a record number of criminal defendants onto electronic home monitoring; an increase that has significantly helped Cook County reduce jail population and costs, however, it has also created public safety concerns; and
WHEREAS, specifically amongst the juvenile probation population, Cook County has recently experienced incidents in which defendants on electronic monitoring have committed violent crimes while in the community. These incidents have resulted in Cook County Juvenile Probation conducting internal audits of electronic monitoring staff, policies, and procedures; and
WHEREAS, in consideration of the significant implications on public safety and the criminal justice system of Cook County, it is imperative to understand how Cook County operates its Electronic Monitoring Program under the Juvenile Probation Department in order to determine if comprehensive changes are necessary to ensure its effectiveness and to increase public safety; and
WHEREAS, it is also vital to understand the measures and policies in place for Cook County to ensure the safety of the employees that are responsible for the administration and implementation of its juvenile Electronic Monitoring program; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by the Cook County President and the Board of Commissioners that the Law Enforcement Committee of the Cook County Board of Commissioners is authorized to call a subject matter hearing regarding the operations, staffing,...
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