Government of Cook County, Illinois facts for kids
The government of Cook County, Illinois helps run things for everyone living in Cook County. It's made up of many important people and groups. These include the County Board, the Sheriff, and the State's Attorney.
Cook County is special because it has "home rule." This means it can make many of its own laws and decisions without needing permission from the state. The rules and laws for Cook County are all written down in something called the Cook County Code.
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How Cook County Government Works
What is the Board of Commissioners?
The Cook County Board of Commissioners is like the county's law-making team. It has 17 members, called commissioners. These commissioners are chosen by voters from different areas of the county. They serve for four years.
The Board's job is to create rules and plans for the county. They decide on things like property, health services, and public safety. They also make sure county roads are kept in good shape. The head of the Board is called the County Board President.
What Does the Sheriff Do?
The Cook County Sheriff is a top law enforcement officer. All sheriff's deputies have police powers. This means they can act as police officers. They can patrol and investigate crimes anywhere in the county. This includes the city of Chicago.
However, the Sheriff's police usually focus on areas of the county that are not part of a city or town. The Cook County Department of Corrections also runs the Cook County Jail. This is the biggest jail in one location in the whole country.
What Does the State's Attorney Do?
The Cook County State's Attorney is a lawyer who works for the people. Their main job is to handle criminal cases. This means they decide if someone who broke a law should be charged with a crime. They then work to prove the case in court.
What Does the Recorder of Deeds Do?
The Cook County Recorder of Deeds keeps important records safe. This office records and stores documents about land and property. These records help people prove they own their homes. They also help with getting home loans.
This office also keeps military discharge papers. These are private records. Only people allowed by law can see them.
What is the Circuit Court?
The Circuit Court of Cook County is a state court. It handles many different types of legal cases. Over 1.2 million cases are filed here each year. This court helps solve disagreements and handles criminal cases.
The Cook County Juvenile Detention Center is also part of the court system. It is for young people who are involved in legal cases. It was the first center of its kind in the nation. It is also one of the largest.
Images for kids
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A poster from 1941 for the Cook County Public Health Unit.
