Preckwinkle’s Office Briefed on Probation Problems

The Illinois Policy Institute was asked to brief Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle's staff about systemic flaws uncovered during its ongoing investigation of the county's Adult Probation Department.

by Lee Williams

Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle campaigned as a reformer, who wants to rid county government of waste, fraud and abuse and keep the public safe.

Earlier this week, members of the Illinois Policy Institute were invited to brief Preckwinkle’s staff about systemic flaws within the county’s Adult Probation Department, which were uncovered as part of the Institute’s investigation of the agency.

The ongoing investigation has revealed that a lack of leadership has crippled the probation department, allowed dangerous criminals to run unsupervised and placed the public at extreme risk.

At the meeting, the Institute presented the county president’s staff with a list of policy solutions that were proposed by a group of experienced probation officers.

The Adult Probation Department operates under the authority of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans.

Evans did not return calls or e-mails seeking comment for this story.