Discussion continues regarding local jail facility

During a public information meeting March 21 regarding the proposed expansion of the local law enforcement center/jail facility, there appeared to be an indication of what is ahead for the proposal in a back and forth conversation between a local resident and and Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen.

When pressed as to whether the numbers support an expansion to a larger jail facility, Eliasen answered that at this time it is probably not a viable option.

During the weeks that have followed the March 21 meeting, a number of local residents posted comments online and in local media outlets thanking the sheriff for essentially making the choice to not expand the local jail facility, or at the very least table the decision to expand the jail.

However, discussion about what will happen with local jail facility is still active in Cook County, according to County Administrator Jeff Cadwell. Ultimately, it is up to the Cook County Board of Commissioners to decide what will happen with this project, Cadwell said. To date, no vote to expand, table or reject the jail expansion proposal has taken place.

WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs spoke with Cadwell about this topic and other county news.