Officials seek to slow growth in county jail inmate population

CHICAGO | Cook County commissioners are suggesting all prostitution arrests in the county be treated as misdemeanors as part of an effort to slow the growth of the jail population.

Chicago jail officers accused in beating of inmate

CHICAGO | Two officers at the Cook County Jail are accused of having two jailed men beat another inmate.

Valpo entrepreneur in Cook County custody on fugitive warrant

VALPARAISO | Web marketing entrepreneur Johnny Mathis is in the Cook County Jail awaiting extradition to LaPorte County, authorities confirmed Thursday.

County Board OKs fine for failing to report stolen firearm

CHICAGO | Cook County commissioners on Tuesday gave their support to a measure creating penalties for people who fail to report their firearm as stolen.

Cook County to review contract for collect calls from jail

CHICAGO | With bills in some cases going as high as $10 per minute, Cook County government officials want to review the contract they have with a Dallas-based company that allows Cook County Jail inmates to make collect telephone calls.

Grand jury adds kidnapping charges in teen's death

MARKHAM | A Cook County grand jury has indicted the man and woman charged in the strangulation of a pregnant teenager, adding kidnapping to the host of charges against the two.

No bond for man, $3 million for girlfriend in Alsip woman's death

MARKHAM | A Cook County judge denied bond Friday for one of two people charged with the strangulation of a pregnant 18-year-old Alsip woman.

Preliminary hearings set in Lansing sex assault

MARKHAM | Preliminary hearings are set next week for two south suburban men who face criminal charges for the alleged sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl during a sleepover birthday party in Lansing.

East Side man charged in alleged murder-for-hire plot

CHICAGO | An East Side man awaiting trial in Cook County Jail has been charged with attempting to recruit a hitman to kill a female witness in a pending residential burglary case, Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez announced Wednesday.

Sheriff lifts lockdown at Cook County Jail

CHICAGO | After 42 hours, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart lifted the lockdown at Cook County Jail about 9 a.m. Thursday.

Sheriff declares civil emergency at Cook County Jail

CHICAGO | Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart has declared a civil emergency at the Cook County Jail. The move allows Dart to direct staff from other sheriff's department functions to the jail.

Sheriff puts Cook County Jail on lockdown

CHICAGO | The arrival of the storm prompted Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart to authorize a lockdown at the Cook County Jail.

Dolton man charged in student's death

DOLTON | A Dolton man has been charged in the shooting death of a 21-year-old graduate student.

Charges upgraded in 2009 killing spree

CHICAGO | Charges against a Steger man being held in connection with a 2009 killing spree have been upgraded to reflect the recent death of his father.

Man shot in spree dies a year later

JOLIET | A Steger man accused in a crime spree that left his estranged wife and girlfriend dead likely will face new murder charges in the death of his father.

Sheriff: Cook County seizes pot in mail

An investigation into suspicious packages being mailed to Chicago days before Christmas has led to the seizure of nearly $3 million in drugs and the arrest of a Chicago man, said Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart.

Video: Cook County CIU and Gangs

The Times gets an intimate look at how the Criminal Intelligence Unit (CIU) of Cook County works to drive the surge of gangs out of its jurisdiction, and gets a tour of the Cook County Jail. The Times speaks with Thomas Kinsella, Executive Director of the CIU, and Frank Domma, Cook County in…

Incoming Cook County head: Budget has $487M gap

CHICAGO | Cook County, the second most-populous county in the U.S, will have a $487 million budget gap in the next fiscal year, the county's incoming board president said Thursday.

Kustok pleads not guilty to killing wife

BRIDGEVIEW | An Orland Park man pleaded not guilty today to the Sept. 29 shooting death of his wife, former Calumet City resident Anita "Jeanie" Kustok.

Jail flooding brings urgency to clothing drive

CHICAGO | Heavy summer rains that caused flooding in the basements of some buildings at the Cook County Jail destroyed dozens of boxes of women's coats and clothing. The coats and clothing were to be distributed to women leaving rehabilitative programs to begin new lives.