Mid Year Budget Hearings: Cook County Sheriff On Track To Meet Their Budget For 2026

Cook County Sheriff 
July 22, 2026 

The second day of the mid year budget hearings began with the Sheriff's Office. Highlights from Sheriff Tom Darts opening remarks:

• Operating budget for 2026 is $774M that is $64M over the 2025 budget.
• So far they have spent $362M so they are on track to meet their budget for the year.
• Overtime (OT) budget could be an issue as it was budgeted at $72M and so far they have spent $60M of that.
• Factors leading to increase in OT include fact that 467officers/day are taking sick leave and the assistance their officers provided to Broadview and the State Police in assisting with ICE issues there. 
• They have slowed hiring so that they will meet their budget for this year.
• Requesting $861M next year reflecting the pay increases that were approved by the board.

Commissioner comments and questions/answers:

• Lowry - asked about the Sheriff’s Electronic Monitoring (EM) System - 167 persons remain in the Sheriff’s EM program and they continue to work to transition them to the program run by the Chief Judge - Primary difference in the programs is administration as the Sheriff’s program is more restrictive and more transparent. The Sheriff and the Chief Judge meet every other week to work on the transition and the Chief Judge’s program continues to have changes. 
• Anaya - asked about the Intake Assessments that are done and Discharge Planning for detainees. The Intake Assessment is done to determine what programs each person might benefit from while in the jail although they cannot force anyone into a program. Info can be shared with other entities if appropriate. Discharge Planning is meant to provide a thoughtful plan for when the individual leaves the jail - complicated by the fact that they never know when they will be leaving. The Sheriff has a unit that follows up with people after discharge and they do try to case manage as much as possible. She also asked about ICE agents and if there are protocols for how to interact in situations. Training of personnel is ongoing and ever changing in how to deal with violations of civil rights. There was discussion of an incident that occurred in June at the Bridgeview Court House involving an individual that ran into the court house through an exit and ICE came in and handcuffed the person and took him outside where there was a commotion. There was a video of a Sheriff’s staff and ICE agents bumping fists and this has been referred to Internal Affairs. 
• Morita - asked about deaths of persons while in custody. Still has 223 vacancies in the jail staff which makes surveillance challenging. For the most part deaths were from natural causes and deaths in Cermak are included in the numbers which would indicate people were having medical problems. Continue to have an issue with paper laced with drugs although he does not want to eliminate paper as mail keeps detainees connected with family. They do scan for drugs on paper. There were no overdose deaths in 2025 and there are 2 suspected in 2026. Narcan is available throughout the jail and guards all carry it. When asked whether detainees are paid if they participate in vocational programs he responded that it varies - some programs yes, others no.
• Degnan - asked how much additional was spent on dealing with ICE incidents. $2.2M and $200,000 has been reimbursed from the state and they continue to try to get federal money to cover these costs. She also asked about safety in the jail and wanted to know when heart monitors would be available. The request for the monitors is in procurement and then an RFP (Request for Proposal) will be issued. 
• Trevor - asked how officers riding the transit system will impact their budget request. Does not anticipate an increase in their request as they are getting reimbursement from CTA and NITA (Northern Illinois Transit Authority) and they are not expecting a long term commitment. Also asked about use of the helicopter. So far this year has operated 724 hours with 16% of that time used in traffic operations. 
• Stamps - asked about vacant positions. There are 233 open positions mostly in correctional officers but he cannot hire right now so that he can stay within his budget. Age is being lowered to 18 from 21 for hiring and he said this does require additional training and mentoring for new hires. Hiring time is about 50 days with 90 days for an officer as they have to go through a Merit Board Review. Asked about his Mobile Response Team - a rapid response team that responds in mental health crisis situation. Have had some success with them and has a report he will provide to commissioners. 
• Vasquez - asked why can inmates not be issued Narcan. While incarcerated it could be problematic for knowing about overdoses but they are trained in its use and may be given Narcan on discharge. Asked about virtual court appearances. They are woking with the State’s Attorney (SA), Public Defender and the courts but it may take awhile. SA is reluctant but it also is up to the judges to decide if there can be a virtual appearance. Asked for a list of vocational programs offered and if pay is involved. 
• Daley - Asked about percentage of budget that is personnel. Pointed out that 98% of the staff is unionized and 96% of the budget is for personnel. Have been talking with budget office about possible budget cuts. Also Comm. Daley reported that an Audit report on the Commissary at the jail will be coming to the board in September. 

Observer - Cynthia Schilsky