Cook County jail worker abused family leave, called off work 60 times

By Vincent Caruso

11/13/2017

A suspended Cook County Jail corrections officer faces termination following serial abuses of a federal family leave rule.

TAGS: Cook County, Cook County Jail, maternity leave

Cook County judge unveils change to cash bail

By Hilary Gowins

07/18/2017

Reforms in Cook County and in Illinois make pretrial release possible for nondangerous defendants with little money for bail.

TAGS: bail, Cook County, Cook County Jail, criminal justice reform

More than 200 Cook County corrections officers call in sick for Mother’s Day

By Brendan Bakala

05/15/2017

The 206 corrections officers who called off are a significant improvement from Mother’s Day 2016, in which more than 460 corrections officers called off.

TAGS: Cook County Jail, labor, prison, unions

More than 300 Cook County Jail employees called in sick during Game 7 of the NBA Finals

By Cole Lauterbach

06/23/2016

The Cook County Jail was placed on lockdown after 317 guards called in sick during Game 7 of the NBA Finals on June 19.

TAGS: Cook County Jail

Rauner signs Cook County jail reform

By Bryant Jackson-Green

08/30/2015

New “rocket docket” reform could reduce lengthy pretrial jail stays for some accused of minor property crimes, saving Illinois taxpayers up to $143 per inmate each day.

TAGS: bail, Cook County Jail, electronic monitoring, property crime, retail theft, rocket docket

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

Published June 3, 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The best path to empowerment and success, especially for poor people, is work. Work allows us to prosper while providing dignity, upward mobility, the means to support ourselves and create value for others. It’s how we become thriving members of our community. Central to this process is our education...

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Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

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Allan Luzbetak

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students