McHenry County Sheriff Robb Tadelman and the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office entered into an agreement with Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office to temporarily house up to 150 Lake County Jail inmates at the McHenry County Jail.
This transfer is necessary to alleviate safety concerns amid a staffing crisis at the Lake County Jail. McHenry County Sheriff’s Office understands the importance of staffing levels to maintain a safe environment for employees and inmates, as well as the necessity of having strong working relationships among fellow sheriff’s offices. McHenry County Sheriff’s Office is honored to have the opportunity to assist Lake County Sheriff’s Office and its employees.
Through this one-year agreement, extendable up to two years, Lake County will pay $100 per day, per inmate housed at the McHenry County Jail. McHenry County Corrections will transport all inmates to and from each jail and ensure those being temporarily housed in McHenry County will be back in Lake County for their required court appearances.
The Lake County inmates temporarily being housed in McHenry County will have the ability to meet with their attorneys virtually in a private setting via Zoom, in person at the McHenry County Jail, or by telephone. They will also have the ability to communicate with anyone they choose, as they do in Lake County, unless restricted by the Court.
Both McHenry County Correctional Administration and Lake County Correctional Administration will conduct regular operational reviews and assessments of this new program to determine its feasibility and operational efficiency. There are no mandates in the agreement for a specific number of inmates to be housed in McHenry County Jail, and the agreement can be terminated should it be necessary.
McHenry County Jail will begin receiving Lake County inmates the week of January 7, 2024.
McHenry County Sheriff Robb Tadelman said, “With the modern problems that law enforcement face, we are proud to consistently be part of a solution. We have worked hard with Sheriff Idleburg in addressing Lake County Sheriff’s Office’s needs, without jeopardizing the health and safety of our own employees and inmates. We are also understanding of the positive impact this agreement will provide to our Office and county.”
Sheriff John D. Idleburg said, “I am very thankful for the assistance of McHenry County Sheriff Robb Tadelman and his team. This temporary transfer of inmates will provide much needed operational assistance to the Lake County Jail and allow us to bring our staffing levels back to optimum levels.”
Sheriff Tadelman moved forward with an agreement between McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and Lake County Sheriff’s Office, as allowed by law.
Permanently and temporarily holding inmates in adjoining county jails is not an uncommon practice and is done in various counties throughout the State of Illinois. McHenry County Sheriff’s Office will honor the contract as set forth and look forward to furthering its partnership and the opportunities it has created.