Closing Of Jail Could Save Kendall County Up To $2M, Sheriff Says

OSWEGO, IL — The closing of the Kendall County Jail could mean a savings of up to $2 million after local law enforcement officials said that a drop in jail inmates will mean the facility remaining open is no longer feasible.

Kendall County Sheriff Dwight Baird and Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain formally announced a partnership between the two counties on Wednesday. The partnership, which will mean that Kendall County inmates will begin being housed in Kane County beginning in January, comes after a new law that goes into effect in 2023 allows for a cashless bail system.

Baird said at the news conference on Wednesday that the Kendall County Jail could close as early as later this year, which will not only bring major savings to his county but will also provide additional revenue to Kane County, officials said.

Baird announced earlier this week that a drop in inmate population because of the new law no longer makes the Kendall County Jail necessary. Of the 130-140 inmates that are typically housed at the jail on a daily basis, only between 50 and 60 call Kendall County home.

With the new law, Baird is expecting to see a 30 percent drop in the inmate population starting in the new year. He said that reality has forced county officials to look at how it conducts business.

Baird said on Wednesday that in the first year of the collaboration with Kane County, Kendall County could see a savings of between $1.5 million and $2 million. He also said the county will see an expected one-time savings of $2 million which are associated with the capital costs for improving the facility.

Meanwhile, in Kane County, housing Kendall County inmates will bring additional funds to the county. Hain said that a final daily rate for housing inmates is still being finalized but that in coming years, Kane County could receive anywhere between $75 and $78 per day per inmate, Hain said at a news conference Wednesday.

An agreement between the two counties will need to be approved by both county boards. Baird said he will make a formal presentation to the Kendall County Board on Aug. 11.

While Kendall County will no longer house inmates, the county’s sheriff’s department will still be charged with transporting inmates back to Kendall County for court appearances, officials said.

Baird said he will need to make changes to his staff as it will no longer require as many officers due to the jail closing.

“These are hard decisions,” Baird said during Wednesday’s news conference. “We have dedicated staff members who I know are not very happy with me right now.”