County continues talks for expanding local jail facility

At the Sept. 18 Cook County Committee of the Whole meeting, the county’s ‘Jail Study Master Plan’ facilitated by Wold Architects will be the primary topic. The meeting will be held at 5 p.m. in the commissioners’ room at the courthouse.

The recommendation from the study is to expand the current jail and law enforcement center to accommodate for holding more inmates. This will reduce the need for transferring those who are detained,  as the county’s current policy now requires after holding an individual for 72 hours.  

If expanded, the jail redesign could cost local taxpayers approximately $5 million.

The Cook County Board of Commissioners, county staff and Sheriff Pat Eliasen will be on hand to answer questions and discuss next steps in the process during Tuesday’s meeting.

WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs spoke with Eliasen and County Administrator Jeff Cadwell about the possibility of expanding the local jail.