# Cook County Jail Review Push

> Cook County commissioners seek independent jail review amid death concerns.
- Title: Cook County Jail Review Push · Chicago Sun-Times | Shortify
- Summary: Cook County commissioners seek independent jail review amid death concerns. Cook County commissioners push for independent review of Cook County Jail after…
- Keywords: cook county jail, cook county board of commissioners, tara stamps, independent review, 2023 death toll, medical care, supervision, third-party oversight, cook county sheriff's office, prison and jail innovation lab, news, local
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/public-safety/2026/09/21/cook-county-jail-deaths-commissioners-board
- Published: 2026-09-21T10:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: cook county jail, cook county board of commissioners, tara stamps, independent review, 2023 death toll, medical care, supervision, third-party oversight, cook county sheriff's office, prison and jail innovation lab, news, local
## Push for independent review
Cook County commissioners seek independent review of Cook County Jail amid concerns over deaths and supervision.
## Resolution scheduled for vote
A resolution calling for the review is scheduled for a vote Tuesday in the Health and Hospitals Committee of the Cook County Board of Commissioners.
## 2023 death toll
In 2023, 18 people died at the jail, many from drug overdoses tied to delays in medical care.
## Tara Stamps' stance
Commissioner Tara Stamps says the 2023 death toll requires an outside review to establish reliable facts and identify systemic concerns.

> I’m sponsoring the resolution because I’m concerned
## Michele Deitch's perspective
University of Texas at Austin's Michele Deitch says Chicago is unusual for lacking independent oversight compared to other major U.S. cities.

> New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Denver, San Diego, just to name a few
## Past oversight history
Cook County Jail had federal oversight from 1974 to 2017 after failing safety inspections and medical care standards.
## Current safety measures
Cook County sheriff's office implemented mail scanners, additional staff for mail screening, and drug testing to address overdose risks.

> We have embraced new technologies, such as mail scanners
## Rebecca Levin's concern
Former sheriff's adviser Rebecca Levin says 2023 death spike warrants third-party review despite downward trend since 2023.

> Rebecca Levin, a former senior adviser with the sheriff’s office
## Stamps' long-term goal
Commissioner Tara Stamps aims to create an ecosystem of care for Black and brown detainees through ongoing oversight.

> This is the beginning of trying to create an ecosystem of care and compassion
## Deitch on lasting oversight
Michele Deitch emphasizes that ongoing independent oversight is critical to prevent backsliding in jail systems.

> The problems inside any jail, any prison system, any place of detention are chronic
## 2023 death trend
Since 2023, deaths at the jail have trended downward, mostly from natural causes related to medical issues or drugs.
## Next steps
The resolution calls for a single independent review but Stamps says it's the start of long-term oversight efforts.

> The resolution does not accuse any individual, employee, office, or agency of wrongdoing
## What happens next
Cook County aims to establish permanent independent oversight for jail safety and medical care through ongoing review.
## Key takeaway

Cook County commissioners push for independent review of Cook County Jail after 2023 death toll highlights medical care and supervision issues.