Mayors Blast Plan To Release Inmates During Coronavirus Pandemic

COOK COUNTY, IL — South suburban mayors are blasting a plan to release non-violent offenders to curb the spread of coronavirus through Cook County Jail. The mayors are concerned about newly released detainees returning to their communities possibly ill with the virus or to commit more mischief and crime.

The much-feared outbreak of coronavirus appears to have started in Cook County Jail as Judge LeRoy K. Martin Jr. ordered the first case-by-case bond reviews to begin this week to reduce the jail population to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Cook County Public Defender Amy Campanelli filed an emergency petition on March 20 seeking the quick release of non-violent offenders and other inmates at Cook County Jail who are a high risk for developing COVID-19 due to age or health conditions. The emergency petition also sought the release of all pregnant women, detainees who can’t pay their bond or have no place to stay if released, and those charged with non-violent felonies and misdemeanors that are probation eligible.

>>> Mayors Ask Judge To Consider Public Health When Releasing Inmates

This past weekend, the Cook County State’s Attorney, in collaboration with the public defender and sheriff’s office, reviewed 1,266 cases. In the mix for consideration for release are 48 maximum security inmates, 880 medium security inmates and 338 minimum-security inmates.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and a collection of suburban mayors submitted a letter to Martin demanding that detainees be screened for coronavirus, and asking for provisions to ensure than inmates “with no place to stay” don’t become homeless in the pandemic.

Don't miss local and statewide news about coronavirus developments and precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

“In these challenging times and given the work that all mayors all across Cook County are trying to keep our communities safe from the spread of the virus we urge that a public health screening be part of any release decision,” Lightfoot wrote.

The letter was signed by the presidents of the four suburban municipal groups in Cook County and the chairman of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. Suburban Cook mayors from the four municipal groups who agree with the concerns expressed in the letter have since signed on.

“It's outrageous in a time when our resources and first responders are spread so thin that anyone could think it's a good idea to release more than 1200 inmates early,” Oak Lawn Mayor Sandra Bury said, who signed the letter with colleagues from the Southwest Conference of Mayors.

“I am proud to stand with Mayor Lightfoot and area mayors who think this is a bad idea. There is no justification for increasing the stress level of the community," Bury said. "There are no precautions being made for being sure that released prisoners are not spreading infections, and absolutely no consideration is being shown for the victims.

Hometown Mayor Kevin Casey said there were people from his community in Cook County Jail and doesn’t them back on the street.

“It took a lot of man-hours to get them there,” Casey added. “It’s not case by case, it’s purging the system. I think it’s a panic move to release [detainees] and disregarding of public safety.

Mayor Chuck Tokar, whose community includes Chicago Ridge Mall, said he already had concerns about Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx not prosecuting retail theft cases of under $1,000 and “pumping out people who are in prison for a reason.”

“It’s going to exacerbate the COVID-19 pandemic,” Tokar said. “People need to shelter at home now, and we’re letting a bunch of people out who’ve been exposed to others with it. We’re gambling as it is, why gamble more?”

More on Patch:

Third Cook County Jail Detainee Tests Positive For Coronavirus

First Coronavirus Death Reported At Advocate Christ

Coronavirus Cases To Be Isolated At Former Metro South Hospital