$14 Million Payout Ends Jail Masturbation Class Action Suit

After a group of female public defenders alleged rampant sexual misconduct at Cook County Jail, a federal judge ordered policy changes.

By Jonah Meadows, Patch Staff Nov 20, 2020 11:22 am CT Updated Nov 20, 2020 7:07 pm CT

CHICAGO — The Cook County Board has signed off on a $14 million payment to settle a class action lawsuit filed by a group of female assistant public defenders who alleged county officials failed to protect them from “heinous sexual misconduct” by male detainees at Cook County jail on an almost daily basis.

$14 Million Payout Ends Jail Masturbation Class Action Suit