Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart Tests Positive for COVID-19

Sheriff Tom Dart speaks about COVID-19 at the Cook County Jail on Nov. 12, 2020. (WTTW News)Sheriff Tom Dart speaks about COVID-19 at the Cook County Jail on Nov. 12, 2020. (WTTW News)

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart is in isolation after testing positive last week for COVID-19.

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Dart’s office over the weekend announced that he was tested for the disease last Tuesday and learned on Friday that he had indeed tested positive.

The sheriff began feeling symptomatic on Nov. 20, his office said, and he immediately self-quarantined at that point. He has not worked in his office since Nov. 19.

“The Sheriff is uncertain where he contracted the virus but has been working around the clock to combat the virus at the Sheriff’s Office,” Dart’s office said in a statement.

As of Sunday night, there were 72 correctional officers and 58 other Cook County Sheriff’s employees who are positive for COVID-19, along with 227 detainees at the Cook County Jail.

On Nov. 16, the Sheriff’s Office once again suspended in-person visits at the jail.

Earlier this month, Dart said the second surge of coronavirus cases in the community was likely to cause a spike in cases at the jail, as a majority of the positive detainees had contracted the disease before coming into the jail.

Dart remains symptomatic, though his office did not indicate what symptoms he is experiencing. He is currently recovering at home under the care of his physician.

Contact Matt Masterson: @ByMattMasterson[email protected] | (773) 509-5431


Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors