DuPage County board discusses $10 million tort liability appropriation amid calls for outside jail review

The DuPage County Board discussed moving $10 million within the county's tort liability fund to cover pending litigation related to the county jail, and multiple members called for an independent outside review of jail policies and medical care.

The appropriation under consideration was described as an allocation to the tort liability fund rather than new spending; County Board members said the money had been set aside previously and the action would place it into the appropriate budget line. Member Garcia moved the resolution to appropriate $10,000,000 to the tort liability fund; the meeting record shows discussion but does not record a final vote on a separate motion to commission an outside review.

Board member Desart, a County Board member, said the matter was broader than a single incident and called for outside oversight. "People are dying in our jail," Desart said, adding concerns about detainees not receiving prescribed medication and other safety issues. Desart argued an outside review could reduce future lawsuits and protect taxpayers.

Other board members disagreed about the scope and timing. Member Evans, a County Board member, said the board lacks authority to dictate jail operations because the sheriff is an independently elected official, and noted existing outside accreditations. Evans said, "I don't believe we have the authority to do that," referring to a board-directed operational review, and noted the sheriff's office undergoes accreditation processes, including by the American Correctional Association and medical accreditation reviews.

Member Ozog, a County Board member, supported an outside review as a taxpayer protection measure, while Member Eckhoff, a County Board member, urged caution and suggested timing and motives for renewed criticism be considered. Amber Ozak, a commenter in the meeting, said it was appropriate for the board to ask questions about jail care while the county is asked to authorize related funding and said, "One death is certainly one death too many."

The board also discussed the administrative mechanics of the $10 million action. County staff and members clarified that the funds had been reserved previously in 2024 and the action before the board would move those reserved funds from a surplus-type account into the tort liability budget line (described in the meeting as moving money "from your savings to your checking"). Several members asked that the state's attorney and other staff notify the full board once settlement details are complete before further discussion.

No formal vote to require an independent outside review was recorded in the transcript. Members asked for more legal and procedural information and for the state's attorney to advise when pending litigation and settlement details permitted fuller discussion.

Members who pressed for an outside review said their goal was to reduce future litigation and to improve jail procedures and medical care; members who opposed or counseled delay pointed to limits on the board's authority over an elected sheriff's operations and to existing accreditation processes.

The board moved on to other items after the discussion. The meeting record shows the appropriation item was on the agenda and debated; staff and members indicated further information from legal counsel and the sheriff's office would be needed before the board took additional directed action.

Ending: The transcript shows the board did not adopt a separate directive to commission an independent outside review at the April 22 meeting. Members said they would revisit the matter after the state's attorney completes pending work and when procedural questions about authority and timing are resolved.