Feigenholtz, Chicago officials host town hall as violence increases

CHICAGO – To inform residents about electronic monitoring, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) held a discussion with Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and other Chicago officials Monday to discuss electronic monitoring.

“All of our offices are hearing from concerned constituents who are worried about the surge in crime and asking questions about our criminal justice system,” Feigenholtz said. “We hosted this webinar in the midst of the omicron surge because it is the best way to disseminate information to you and provide you with more context.”

The Cook County Sheriff’s Electronic Monitoring Program, overseen by Sheriff Dart, is a pre-trial monitoring program created to ease overcrowding in the Cook County Department of Corrections. It is used as a community-based alternative incarceration concept that allows pre-trial, and short-time sentenced individuals in custody to remain in the community instead of being incarcerated in jail.

The electronic monitoring system was not intended to have people on the streets who are alleged violent offenders, nor a system that keeps people on EM for an extended period of time.

This town hall spawned from the numerous calls and emails from constituents who demanded answers about Illinois’ criminal justice system. Over 100 questions and comments were received for the virtual forum and over 500 people were present.

Click here to watch Monday’s webinar.