Mayors Ask Judge To Consider Public Health When Releasing Inmates

CHICAGO — Chicago area mayors want a Cook County Judge Leroy Martin to consider public health implications before deciding which jail inmates should be released to limit the spread of the new coronavirus.

On Monday, Martin ordered hearings to consider releasing older inmates with health problems who are unable to pay cash bonds for non-violent, low-level felonies and misdemeanors in response to a petition by Cook County Public Defender Amy Campanelli.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and a collection of suburban mayors sent a letter to Martin Monday arguing that before Cook County jail inmates who may have been exposed to COVID-19 are released the court should make sure they are asymptomatic for a reasonable amount of time.

On a conference call with reporters Tuesday, Lightfoot said the goal of the letter is to make sure public health considerations are factored into the evaluation of an inmate’s release.

Lightfoot also said she and other mayors have raised concerns about the possible public health consequences of releasing people who are “clearly homeless” during the statewide stay-at-home order.

“We’ve done a tremendous amount of work not just in Chicago but all over Cook County to insure we are building up social safety nets to be supportive of individuals who are in need, and we want to make sure those folks get connected up with those services as part of the release process,” Lightfoot said.

“I don’t just want them dumped onto the streets into a void and showing up in an emergency room. We don’t need that to happen. If we work hand-in-glove together as we start to see some of that. We will make sure these individuals … have a transition to give them support and security as they are outside the formal jail system.”

The mayors of Robbins, Morton Grove, Riverside, Hillside and Palos Hills signed the letter with Lightfoot which also asked the court if released detainees would be provided information on how to best protect themselves from the virus.

"As mayors and organizations that represent mayors in Cook County, we believe these key
questions must be addressed when considering the process for release for anyone who may be
vulnerable or worse already sick. We have resources to support these individuals, but we cannot
be on the sidelines. Public health considerations post-release are also relevant in this time of
crisis, and must inform the individualized release determinations," the letter stated. "We would be happy to partner with you to create protocols and appropriate screening pre-release to safeguard the health of all."

Read the letter below: