Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart
A law enforcement ‘agency to be proud of’
Cook County Sheriff’s Office celebrates a century of growth
From staff reports
April marks the centennial celebration of the creation the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department, an agency that has grown from patrolling Cook County with 32 sworn officers to a dynamic operation of nearly 500 officers devoted to promoting public safety, social services, and mental health.
In December 1921, Cook County Sheriff Charles W. Peters proposed the Sheriff’s Office create a police force responsible for patrolling the roadways and other areas of suburban Cook County.
In early January 1922, the hiring of 70 highway police deputies was approved by Cook County, and on April 1, 1922, the first 32 Cook County Highway Patrol Officers were officially sworn in. These officers were required to patrol on their own motorcycles and were paid $125 per month, along with a small stipend for the upkeep of their vehicle.
Several police stations were strategically opened throughout the county. The first station, known as Station 1, was at Waukegan Road and Dempster Street until a permanent building was completed in 1924 in Maine Township. Other locations were proposed, with one near 147th Street and Western Avenue, and another in Palos Park.
Eventually, the Highway Patrol deputies were reorganized into a Sheriff’s Police force, and their responsibilities continued to grow throughout the 1940s and 1950s, corresponding with post-war suburban population growth.
In the early 1960s, Sheriff Richard Ogilvie worked with state legislators to create a Merit Board to test police applicants and review credentials for police officer positions. The name “Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department” was adopted, and the colors of tan and brown were introduced for the new Sheriff’s Police uniform.
Today, the Sheriff’s Police Department is the third-largest police department in the State of Illinois. The Department is divided into five principal divisions: Field Operations, Criminal Investigations, Street Crimes, Communications Operations, and Operational Support.
“The Sheriff’s Police Department is a leader in protecting the health and safety of residents throughout the county and a trusted partner to numerous local police agencies,” said Sheriff Thomas J. Dart. “The fact that the organization that has grown from a small number of people patrolling county roads a century ago to become the multi-faceted and nationally recognized agency it is today is an achievement every Cook County resident can take pride in.”
Sheriff’s Police currently provide primary police services to more than 126,000 residents in unincorporated Cook County as well the Village of Ford Heights. The Department also provides backup services to several suburbs that have significant budgetary constraints, as well as ancillary services to scores of suburbs, including a K9 unit to help locate missing individuals, crime scene technician services to help solve crimes, and the Community Safety Team, which provides proactive policing in areas of high violence.
Sheriff’s Police have been on the cutting edge of law enforcement, implementing programs that include:
• Treatment Response Team (TRT): This initiative was developed in 2019 to integrate clinicians and social workers with the police department to prevent the involvement of individuals in the criminal justice system who are suffering from opioid addiction. The clinicians work closely with individuals to help them engage in treatment.
• Co-Responder Program: Sheriff’s Police launched a virtual co-responder program in 2021 that provides officers the assistance of a trained clinician during mental health related calls for service. The team of clinicians work with the individual and their support network to identify and navigate appropriate treatment options. The program is currently being used by other suburbs, including Oak Lawn, Blue Island, and Northbrook.
• Hostage Barricade Team (HBT): This team is trained to respond to hostage and terrorism incidents. These specialists and SWAT officers work to resolve hostage or barricade situations without injury to civilians, victims, police, or offenders.
• Juvenile Justice & Advocacy Unit (JJAU): This unit is tasked with advocating for children who fall between society’s cracks. It is comprised of officers who have received special training on how to engage young people. It also participates in several Sheriff’s Office outreach programs and coordinates scholarships for Cook County students.
• Carjacking Initiative: Developed in 2021, this unit combines detailed data analyses with partnerships with automobile manufacturers and other law enforcement agencies to rapidly recover stolen vehicles before they can be used in other crimes.
• Chicago Initiative: Sheriff’s Police set up a permanent presence in the 15th District on Chicago’s West Side in 2018 to work alongside Chicago Police to address violence. The effort has included community policing, bike patrols, foot patrols, and deep engagement with local organizations. The initiative has contributed to a decrease in shootings and homicides. Sheriff’s Police also assist Chicago Police in numerous other areas of the city.
“I am honored to have this centennial celebration happen under my watch.” Sheriff Dart said. “As a department, we are all looking forward to continuing to serve and advocate for Cook County residents with integrity, compassion, professionalism, diversity, and transparency.”
Local News
Casten secures $11M for district; invites Bridge Teen founder to State of Union
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Congressman Sean Casten is bringing some big bucks home. Casten (D-6th) announced that he helped secure more than $11 million in federal funding for local community projects. Included in that bounty is: $1.28 million to Evergreen Park for water main replacement. $500,000 to La Grange for storm and sanitary sewer…
Trinity, MVCC nursing schools schools receive state grants
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong The Illinois Board of Higher Education has awarded nursing school grants to 12 institutions of higher education across the state, including two in the south suburbs, totaling $1.4 million. Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills received a grant of $38,316 to focus on improved math proficiency and preparedness of…
Rashid rolls in 21st House, but Vasquez plans rematch
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid may have rolled to victory over challenger Vidal Vasquez in the 21st House District Democratic primary, but he took nothing for granted. “I am humbled and honored that the voters chose to send me back and I look forward to continuing the work ahead of us,”…
Brookfield Zoo Anniversary Ferris Wheel now open
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Brookfield Zoo has been attracting visitors for 90 years. To celebrate the anniversary, the zoo has opened a new attraction that has nothing to do with animals. Last Friday, the zoo opened its Anniversary Ferris Wheel. The towering 110-foot Ferris wheel offers guests unique bird’s-eye views of the park’s gardens, animal…
Casten romps over primary foes in 6th Congressional race
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Three-term Congressman Sean Casten easily defeated two challengers in Tuesday’s Democratic primary in the 6th Congressional District. “First and foremost, thank you,” he said. “Thank you to the voters who have entrusted me once again with their vote. Thank you to the volunteers who knocked on doors, made phone calls,…
Chuy’s expansion continues
Spread the love. ‘And we’re not done yet,’ congressman vows . By Tim Hadac Most observers in the city seemed to agree that U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-4th) would handily win his primary battle with 15th Ward Ald. Raymond Lopez. They were right. With almost all precincts reporting across the city and nearby suburbs,…
Silent spring break for children these days
Spread the love. By Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . Spring break for Chicago Public Schools will take place next week. In the past, that meant we would hear the sounds of kids playing outside. We won’t hear that joyful noise next week. The issue is safety. Wouldn’t…
Things are looking bright at Lith Youth Center
Spread the love. By Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . Cleaning, restoration and remodeling continues at the Chicago Lithuanian Youth Center on Claremont Avenue. New programs have been well attended and recent classes, Like Making Your Own Bacon Buns, have sold out quickly. Thanks…
Baseball | Oak Lawn rolls over Crete-Monee to open season
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent Oak Lawn traveled to Ozinga Field in Crestwood to open the season against Crete-Monee at Ozinga Field in Crestwood, home of the Windy City Thunderbolts. The Spartans climbed to a big lead early and never turned back as they went on to defeat the Warriors, 12-5. Sophomore starting pitcher…
Neighbors
Capitol Briefs: Advocates push for guaranteed income, child care assistance
By HANNAH MEISEL & DILPREET RAJU Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com The Illinois Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear the case of actor Jussie Smollett, who was convicted for staging a hate crime against him in 2019 in a case that drew criticism for Cook County’s top prosecutor. Smollett made what turned out to be…
Illinois teacher shortage persists, survey finds
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Illinois continues to suffer from a shortage of teachers and other education professionals, although recent efforts by the state to ease the strain have made an impact. That’s according to the latest annual survey of school officials from the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools,…
Bills in state Senate would further regulate battery storage and disposal
COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Two bills that would regulate battery disposal and storage are awaiting action from the full Illinois Senate after unanimous committee approval. Senate Bill 3481, sponsored by Sen. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago, would require facilities that store electric vehicle batteries to register with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency…
Prisoner Review Board chair, member resign in wake of boy’s fatal stabbing by released inmate
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com The longtime chair and a relatively new member of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board have resigned, Gov. JB Pritzker’s office announced Monday. The governor’s office announced the pair’s resignations within hours of each other nearly two weeks after Crosetti Brand was released from Stateville Correctional Center. Brand is…
Highest-ranking woman in state police history reflects on experience as force looks to diversify
By ALEX ABBEDUTO Capitol News Illinois abbeduto@capitolnewsillinois.com The night before Rebecca Hooks started at the Illinois State Police Academy in 2002, she spoke on the phone with her father and her brother – both of whom worked in law enforcement. Her father encouraged her, telling her she was strong and could get through the…
After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State regulators are once again considering massive electric utility spending plans that would affect the state’s climate goals – and 5.4 million electric customers’ monthly bills – after rejecting previous versions late last year. The Illinois Commerce Commission forced the state’s two major electric utilities, Commonwealth…
After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State regulators are once again considering massive electric utility spending plans that would affect the state’s climate goals – and 5.4 million electric customers’ monthly bills – after rejecting previous versions late last year. The Illinois Commerce Commission forced the state’s two major electric utilities, Commonwealth…
After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State regulators are once again considering massive electric utility spending plans that would affect the state’s climate goals – and 5.4 million electric customers’ monthly bills – after rejecting previous versions late last year. The Illinois Commerce Commission forced the state’s two major electric utilities, Commonwealth…
After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State regulators are once again considering massive electric utility spending plans that would affect the state’s climate goals – and 5.4 million electric customers’ monthly bills – after rejecting previous versions late last year. The Illinois Commerce Commission forced the state’s two major electric utilities, Commonwealth…
Capitol Briefs: Insurance reforms advance as Pritzker announces California trip
By PETER HANCOCK, JENNIFER FULLER & ALEX ABBEDUTO Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposal for sweeping reforms in the state’s health insurance industry passed out of a committee Thursday and will soon make its way to the full House for consideration. Pritzker first outlined the proposal in his State of the…