Cook County is taking significant steps to protect the privacy of immigrant communities, making it more difficult for federal immigration authorities to access sensitive personal information about individuals held in the county jail.
Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke has announced new contractual requirements explicitly prohibiting Appriss Inc. from sharing personal data with federal agencies or databases used for immigration enforcement.
The decision comes after repeated Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations near courthouses throughout Cook County. In recent months, individuals have been detained by federal agents while arriving for court hearings.
Appriss is responsible for providing legally required notifications to crime victims when individuals accused or convicted of crimes are released from custody.
Under the new rules, the company must also ensure that its business partners cannot access, purchase, or further distribute personal information about individuals held at the Cook County Jail.
The amended contract has already taken effect. Burke’s office had first requested the suspension of automatic data sharing with third parties in August.
O’Neill Burke emphasized that everyone involved in the justice system, regardless of immigration status, must have confidence that their personal information will remain protected.
Tensions have increased as ICE agents continued operations around courthouses despite an earlier restriction on arrests without warrants, signed by Judge Timothy Evans.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker previously signed legislation providing additional protections for immigrants near courthouses, hospitals, universities, and daycare centers.
Cook County Commissioner Alma Anaya welcomed the new policy, saying it closes legal loopholes that previously allowed access to sensitive personal information.
The measure represents a significant step toward protecting the privacy of immigrant communities across the Chicago area. However, it does not amount to a complete ban on federal immigration enforcement operations within Cook County.
