Cook County Jail Illegal Strip Search Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Reached For $55 Million.
A $55 million dollar class action settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit against Cook County Illinois, alleging, among other things, that illegal strip searches were conducted at Cook County jail, according to a Cook County strip search class action settlement news report.
A reported 250,000 people who were jailed in Cook County from January 2004 to March 2009 may be eligible to file claims to receive payments under the class action settlement.
If You Have Thoughts On The Cook County Jail Strip Search Class Action Settlement, Share Your Class Action Settlement Comments Below.
So I just recived my check and they are claiming that it is a bogus account. They also threaten to lock me up if i didnt leave is anyone else having this problem?
Are you serious Brandon????
Brandon,
You can give them the 800# and they can verify the check over the phone if you went to a currency exchange. I can’t believe all those checks were bogus from a law firm. That’s outrageous!
Still no check today, despite the fact that I have been told on five different days (by phone and by email) that it was sent on the 5th. How many people are still waiting on their settlements?
Hi Chipkin
I did not recieve my check today either. I mean IF it was mailed on the 5th surely it should have gotten to us by now no matter where we live.
Maybe we should all just get into the habit of posting a message when/if we get a check. It looks like some people are already doing this. Here is our starting point: Did anyone get one today (Thursday, the 14th)? I did not get mine yet…
No I didnt get mine today 7/14/2011
Thanks, Texas, I can’t find any other website with as many comments as this one. I really wonder how many people have/haven’t gotten their settlement checks yet. I guess it’s possible that we just had the bad luck to be in a small group of people that they made mistakes with or whose checks the post office lost. I think that it’s more likely that a LOT of people still haven’t gotten them. I wish there was some way of knowing for sure…
My husband had the law firm send his check to my address here in Chicago although he’s locked -up in Ohio. I would believe that if he trust me that much and wanted his son to have some money he would discover a way to make cashing it here happen, otherwise he’ll get 514.00 for the books. Which is cool, I say he deserves that money for the trauma, but our 13 yr old wants Nintendo D S i. Ironically, my husband is a junior and his dad lives in Chicago. Dad could cash the check under his name, but he won’t because it’s associated with jail. Or, we could have opened a joint account with the check, …maybe. Or my husband will just have 514.00 mailed to his books, and I already verified it through his institution to be okay. Anyway, my son and I will talk to him this Saturday to find out what he would want and/or suggest. I’ll let you know how this cook county strip search 7/5/11 check for 514.00 finds a home.
Incarcerated husband,
So you’ve actually received your check? You just can’t cash it?
Yes, I can’t cash it because my bank won’t accept a third party check so that I can give our son some of the money according to my husband’s wishes.
Incarcerated husband,
That’s crazy, I thought banks accepted third party checks as long as it is signed by the payee and made payable to you. My bank cashes third party checks as long as they aren’t over $5000. I hope you can get it cashed eventually.
Does anyone have any good news this Friday?
Nope!!! Bella I thought you got yours cause you have not posted in a few days.
Texas,
I try to visit this site each morning before my day gets busy. But no, my brothers check still hasn’t arrived. Class counsel said if it’s not here by the 19th to call the 800 # and I guess they’ll send out a replacement check. I’ll check my po box again on Tuesday and call Wednesday morning.
Well I am about to go check my mail so I will post if anything comes.
No good new here… Trying to stay positive. I’m not rich, but I am not normally THIS concerned about such a “small” amount of money, but I have finally found a new job (after dealing with all of this B.S., as you are all well-aware, it’s nearly impossible to find an honest job), and we desperately need the money so that I can get to the job and pay the bills until the first paycheck. My wife’s guess (and I learned to listen to her long ago) is that they will wait it out until the last possible day, which means Monday or Tuesday of next week. Please keep up the daily check-in’s. At this point, I feel really obligated to all of you, and I’m not the “mushy” type, but “incarcerated husband” and other peoples’ stories have really gotten to me. It’s not the strip search that breaks you down. It’s the whole process. In some ways it would be like Boot Camp… if the military broke everyone down without building them up, then sent them home, shattered, destitute, hopeless, afraid (I’m a “tough” guy, too, but don’t try to tell me that you aren’t afraid, too) without any direction or hope.
Chipkin,
Hang in there, we may get more since we’re waiting longer. It’s hard out here for real and I understand where you are coming from. My brother is unemployed and he is desperately looking for his check. I wish everyone would have gotten their checks as promised and now it seems like others are suffering longer and being told the same thing when called to speak with a representative. It will be 10 days on the 19th. The rep. on the phone said you cannot count Saturdays and Sundays as business days and don’t count the 5th the day they were supposed to be mailed.
Still nothing today, I emailed class counsel and they responded back quickly and stated again that the check was mailed on the 5th and if I don’t receive it by Tuesday the 19th to call the 800 number.
That is some bullsh*t Bella!!!! Why would the check not arrived by now..its 10 whole days later
Well I checked my mail and NOPE I did not recieve mine either. I was always concerned that he would not get it because we moved and the address he used on the claim form is not where we live. We had our mailed forwarded to our new address so it should come here. We received confirmation from USPS at this address with his name on it that his mail was officially forwarded. The post office would have no reason to send it back.
Texas,
I agree with you they are just giving us an excuse til the 19th I guess. I sent in the claim form before the deadline and the results are still lousy. You see whenever free is attached to something you have a big problem receiving it. It took all these months and yet there is still another delay. I’ll recheck my po box on Tuesday and if nothing is there then I’ll have my brother call the 800# to have his check resent and hopefully he’ll receive it the second time around. I’ll post any news I get.
I believe a certain number of checks were sent out and those who didn’t receive theirs may have to request a replacement check. I guess the lawyers said the more money left over for them for those who don’t pursue receiving their checks. I honestly don’t believe every single claimant had a check cut on the 5th.
It looks like my brother will be requesting a new check be sent out on Tuesday, the 19th because there is still no check today.
Still no check… Did anyone get one today?
Chipkin,
I just left my po box and there’s nothing there today neither. My brother will check first thing Tuesday morning and call the number to request a new check be sent out.
Hi Everyone! Does anyone else have any good news?
Nope….I did not get anything today.
I haven’t heard of anyone else receiving any checks lately, but lots of people are still waiting on checks.
Good Morning Everyone,
Remember if youdon’t receive your check by tomorrow, call the 800 number on the cook county website to request a replacement check.
Hey Bella
Yeah Im on it….Its probably no chance it will come between today and tomorrow so what is the number we are suppose to call. I need to find someone to be my brother so I can have the check replaced because he is still in Cook County.
Texas,
1-312-224-4658 or you can check the website for the 877 number. I call the 312 number because it is local here in Chicago. However, the same message is on both numbers.
Texas,
Just write down his information and have a male friend or neighbor make the phone call in your presence. It will not take a long time at all. You want the check to be sent out which is most important. They ask your name, the last four of the social, the mailing address, and a phone number. The representatives on the phone are quite nice honestly.
No check today, so unless it magically appears tomorrow, I will have to call. I am going to insist on shipping with a tracking and delivery confirmation number, even if they charge me the $5 that it costs. I suggest that everyone else do the same, even if they refuse, it should help to prove that we are serious.
This is beyond ridiculous, but their motives for delaying payment are obvious.
Hey Chipkin
Well it probably wont appear tomorrow so you may as well forget that. Im not going to wait until my mail runs tomorrow because if it didnt come today then it wont come tomorrow like you said. I soooo pissed off that we got to go thru this.
Today, those who have not received their checks can call the 800 number and ask for a replacement check. Hopefully, that check will arrive in the mail the second time around.
Well… Good luck to everyone, it looks like a lot of us will be calling in tomorrow for “replacement” checks.
1-877-314-6057
hey, Do u know the law suit number or anything, I tried to call and have my name added to the suit but they sais there r hundreds of them and I have to have a case number or they wont be able to find it
Thnx
Hey,
I’ve been there few times and I must be entitled for some money, I have called the Cook County and the Federal Court but they asked me for a case name or number otherwise it will be very hard to find since there r hundreds of them cases.
could u help me please
479-358-7200
Hi Guys,
My brother just got off the phone with a representative about non-receipt of his check. The rep. told him his check was returned back to them as undeliverable due to it being sent to a P.O. Box. He has to write a letter with his name and date of birth stating that he never received his first check and he also updated his address. The rep. said it will take 4-6 weeks for the replacement check. He received a letter at the po box and all his other mail but the check was sent back as undeliverable. I guess the checks have to be mailed to a physical address because the rep. verified the po box and everything was correct. She also stated that the they received the check back on yesterday. Funny!
Thanks Bella for that info. I am having someone to call for my brother in a little while. Do you think I need to be present during the call or is the call simple enough for him to do alone. I may need to be there to coach him on the questions they ask him. You said they ask for name, address, phone number and last 4 of social? Well as far as sending the checks back, my brothers check was sent to REAL address and it still did not get here so go figure 🙁
Texas,
I can’t wait to hear what they tell the guy that calls as your brother. If you trust the person there’s no reason to be present because he can’t do anything besides get the information for you to have a replacement check sent. A letter has to be mailed stating you didn’t get the check and ask for a new check to be sent out. They claim my brothers was sent back as undeliverable which is odd because they sent him a letter stating the class he was in back in May and that letter was deliverable. I’ve had that po box for over 6 years and I’ve never been told a piece of mail was undeliverable.
Hey Bella
Well I had someone to call and they told him that he needed to send a letter with the information that you said they were going to say. He said they were very short and to the point on the call but that she was very nice. He said she never said anything about it being returned to them or not. I wrote the letter and put it in today’s outgoing mail. He did not not mention anything about 4-6 weeks for the replacement check but like I said they were very short and to the point. I wonder why it would take 4-6 weeks?
Texas,
It shouldn’t, I’m glad you got the same information that I got. Some representatives are more talkative than others but you will get the replacement check soon because they want to be done with this settlement as well. I’ll post after my brother receives his and see if you all have gotten yours as well. I too, put his letter in the mail yesterday because it should only take two days to get there.
i would like to know where is the money going that is left over from people who has died, those who never knew about law suit, those who filed late, those who got the wrong understanding(i thought i did not have to do anything),. i believe the attorneys and administrators will ultamitely receive the leftovers. i hope people will stay on the administrators to dissimenate this money fairly.
yellll, righhht.
The only thing you had to do was send in a claim form before January 27, 20111. Lots of people were unaware of the lawsuit and it is too late now. I’m sure the attorneys made a hefty sum of money from a $55 million dollar lawsuit. Those $515 -$736 checks are pennies compared to all the millions that was set aside to pay claimants.
Has anyone else found out why your checks were not delivered?
I was told that my check was sent on the 5th, and that they sent it to the correct address. I (obviously) never got it, but it was NOT cashed or returned in the mail to them, so I am going to wait until tomorrow morning before I mail them a letter asking to cancel the one that they claim to have sent and send a new one. Make sure that you send those letters back to them via Certified Mail with Return Receipt.
As for the “left over money”, there should not be any… Remember, there was a certain amount of money that was left over after the lawyers got paid, and that was divided by the number of qualified people who responded in time. It wasn’t a set amount per person, which is why the checks were smaller than the original estimates.
Chipkin,
I bet there are a lot of people who had to request replacement checks. I’m sure they will be cutting new checks for those who send in letters as they receive the letters. I’ll check back with you guys after my brother receives his check.
Did you all get answers as to why your checks weren’t received?
Okay, my letter is on its way to them. I am cautiously optimistic about getting it replaced pretty quickly. I agree that they probably want to get this done with as quickly as we do, since they have to keep paying staff to answer the phones and deal with this until these issues are resolved. I would really appreciate it if everyone posted a quick note when they get their replacement checks (or if they run into any new problems) so that everyone knows what is going on. Thanks!
Chipkin,
I promise you I will keep you updated until the process is completely over. I agree that they want to finish up the processing completely as well. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the replacement checks shouldn’t take any longer than 2 weeks to be received. I’ll post the day my brother receives his because his letter was typed and mailed out ont he 19th. I’m sure it’s there now it’s how quickly they will re-process his claim.
Has anyone called to confirm that they have received your request for a “replacement” check yet?
Chipkin,
No, my brother has not done that. His letter was mailed back on Tuesday, the 19th so I’m sure they have received it by now. It depends on how soon they open the mail and process the requests. They told my brother it will take 4 to 6 weeks but I don’t believe that. I think he should receive a replacement check by the end of this week but no later than next week. They received his original check back so there’s no need for a long delay.
I tried to call them, but I missed them by 1/2 an hour. Thanks for the check-in, it looks like all of the s**t heads have stopped posting, leaving the rest of us to deal with the real issues. Bella, Texas, and anyone else out there that is watching passively, please stay in touch after this is resolved. I would like to be able to share some more details of our personal experiences, and it appears that there are likely to be more class action lawsuits related to the abuse we suffered ( as an example, I was released on an I-Bond in court, sent back to County, and held for an additional 2 days due to a clerical error). My wife had to file a missing persons report and a special hearing had to be held in order to secure my release. I lost my job as a result of this, and I am sure that many of you have similar stories.
Chipkin,
I will continue checking this site and I’m very interested in hearing others stories. Yes, many people have stopped posting because they received their checks. Lol! It’s a shame the ordeal you had to go through and I will continue to watch the news to see if another class action settlement comes about. Keep your head up!
HI Bella and Chipkin
I been on vacation so I have not been able to post anything but I too mailed out my brothers letter on the 19th so I know they have recieved it. I have been gone for a week I expected the check to be in the mail today when I checked it but “NO” it was not. I explained in the letter about the forwarding of the mail and maybe it just went back to them. I will definitely keep you guys posted if his check comes this week. Im glad someone is still posting. Thanks!
Hi Texas,
I’ll keep in touch and let you and Chipkin know the status of my brothers check. As Chipkin stated, they want to be done with this settlement process also, so hopefully the checks are being printed and sent out as we speak. Lol!
bella and chipkin sound like they work for the administrators. i,m sorry i did not post this reply earlier. there was a second deadline for objections/late filing/and other reasons. the deadline is today aug 2, 2011. if you stay on the line and talk to an individual you can get more information. my advise to anyone is to file a claim, if you have a claim form. this is not over yet. go online and read the new york strip search settlement and you will get an idea of why is not over. i filed a late clam (feb 8, 2011) i provived all the documents requested and i am expected receive a payment in august 2011. i contacted the attorney who handle the case. they assisted me in this matter.
I called today and they said that they do not have definite date that they will be mailing out the new checks. They also said that for everyone whose check came back they did a address search and updated the address with the address that came back on the search which is not good because those addresses are very old. They gave me an address he lived at 3 years ago and they told me they would be sending the check there although no checks have been sent out. They told me I should mail another letter with the new address on it which I have done already. They act like they did not recieve the first letter so I mailed another letter out today. Bella I think maybe you guys should call to make sure they did not do the same with yours.
Texas,
Thanks, I just told my brother to call right now. That is silly that they are sending it to the address from the search when people move everyday. What was the purpose of sending in the letters telling them where to mail the check? Are they going to honor the address that you put on the second letter?
Texas,
My brother said he called last Friday and they told him they received his letter and that his check would be mailed to the address on the letter. He just has to wait and see when it will come in the mail.
Hi Bella
It would be a waste of time for them to send it to the address they found on the search because no one lives there anymore. They told me that once they recieve the letter the address would be updated. They still dont have a definite date yet though. Thats bull….what are they waiting for? I told my brother whats been going on because he is still in Cook County awaiting trial and he is very upset but he also says that a lot of people in there with him have not recieved their checks either. He wrote them a letter to tell them that it was ok for them to talk to me so I can stop getting people to call for me.
Texas,
That great! My brother called again on yesterday and he said the representative told him they have his letter and that it was put in the computer on the 2nd to be sent to the address on the later. They did tell him the old address that came up from their search and he informed the rep. that he no longer lives there. Once the letters are processed and put in the system they have no choice but to send it to that address. Otherwise, this crap will never end. I know there are lots of people still waiting for their checks but hopefully they will be sent out sooner than later.
I’M TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THEY ARE SENDING A SECOND PAYMENT OUT FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY, DOES ANY BODY KNOW?
That’s it,
Many others have stated that the letter included with the first check stated that there would be an additional check sent from the insurance portion. However, I don’t know when because some people have yet to receive the first check.
does any one know if these monies are in an interest bearing account and if so, who receive the interest? times up! guess who?
Do your Job,
Are the monies in an interest bearing account? If so, who receives the interest? I’m curious!
Yeah I would like to know as well. SOmebody making some money somewhere and it ain’t us..lol
Has anybody heard anything yet?
Texas,
Nothing yet! My brother talked with a representative on August 2nd and was told that they received his letter and verified the new address on the letter. He asked when would he receive the new check and was told 4 to 6 weeks. He informed them that he had waited and how the first check was sent back as undeliverable and they still said 4 to 6 weeks. His letter was mailed to them on July 19th and the representative said it was put in the computer on the 2nd of August. I guess it sat in the po box all that time.
Any time something is free you have to go through a lot of bs to get it.
I’ll post when he receives his.
Hi Bella
Im glad you are still checking the posts! I thought I was by myself!!! They told me the same thing she told me it would be reissued 4 to 6 weeks after 08/01. I hope it comes soon. I will post when we recieve ours as well. Have a good one Bella!
Texas,
I’ll check the site until my brother has his check in his hands. I hope we’ll all be posting with the same good news. So if it will be 4 to 6 weeks after 8/1, then the checks should be arriving around the first of Sept. or the middle of Sept. but definitely before the end of Sept.
Enjoy your weekend!
Texas,
My brother received his check in the mail today. Your brothers should be on it’s way to you as well.
Hey does anyone know the address to send a change of address? Is there a way to check the status of the settlement?
Illinois,
You can call 1-312-224-4658 and speak with a representative about the status of your check. They are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
My brother emailed class counsel to check the status of his replacement check and was told it was mailed on 8/23/2011. They said to allow 7 to 10 days and if he hasn’t received it by 9/6 to call the 800 number.
Hi Bella
My brother did recieve his check today for 515.44. Did you guys receive your check yet?
Yes Texas,
I posted it on the site on the 25th. I’m glad the wait is over, aren’t you?
is those checks for the d**k dr. too? i was in prison when all the checks was issued out , im just getting out is it over for me getting one ?
Yes Jerome,
It’s over for you if you didn’t fill out a claim form before the due date of January 27th or 29th of 2010.
Somebody should call and ask about the second checksn thats suppose to be from their Insurers. I wonder when those are coming?
No letter came in my brothers check. So there is suppose to be a second check as well? Did you get a letter saying that?
Texas,
The first claimants who received their checks stated there was a letter included about a second check being issued. Due to our checks being delayed the letter may not have been included. However, your brother as well as my brother will receive theirs also. I don’t know what the amount will be.
ON DA REAL THATS WHAT I’M TRYNA FIND OUT, CAUSE FROM WHAT I BEEN HEARIN DA SECOND CHECK SUPPOSED TO BE DA REAL MONEY, INSTEAD OF EVERY BODY GETTIN 515, CHUMP CHANGE, AND 735. THEY BOGUS FA THAT. CAUSE THE INMATES SUFFERED THE BS THEY PUT US THROUGH. SO IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECADED IF THEY GIVE US JUSTICE, AND NOT BS.
Have anyone called to check on the second check? Bella if you are still posting have you heard anything?
Texas,
My brothers check had no letter in it regarding a second check. Since they have the correct address, he will get his check when they mail them out. I don’t know the date but it may be before the new year. I’m not certain but I’m glad it will be sent to the correct address.
If anybody goto cookcountystripsearch.com, you will see: “At a later date, additional money may become available to class members under the County’s insurance coverage for this case” in the first paragraph, the last sentence before “On November 24, 2010”. So basically, it dont matter if they included a letter about it with the first check that was sent or not. The additional money is coming from their insurers at a later date . (Might just be a lil more than what we have gotten already)
Thanks Dallas,
I have several questions about checks, my brother was supposely sent a check back in August. And someone supposely cash his check so we ask for a copy of the cashed check and as today we have not recieved one. We ask for the name of the bank where the check came from and they refused to give us the name. They told us once we get a copy of the check we have to go to the police station and make a report and then contact the bank. But how can he do that without any proof? Have this happen to anyone? If so how did you handle it? Do you have any advice on how to handle this matter?My brother has been waiting for this check for so long and I believe they have not sent a lot of people checks out. And they just hoping no one will complain. Another thing they tol me and my brother on three occassion that it’s not there fault someone receive his check and cashed and they will not be sending out another check. Can someone please help us out?
Monique,
That is horrible. My brother didn’t receive his check when they first went out due to it being delivered to a P.O. Box address. The check was returned to them and they asked for a physical address. He then received his check in August. I’m so sorry your brother is experiencing this however, as you stated, how can you go any further without any proof. I guess they feel that the more checks left uncashed the more money for them.
I don’t know how you can rectify this matter at all.
If your really interested in finding out about a second check from the jails insurance company. I would suggest calling the attorneys office that is handling the lawsuit, which would be Loevy & Loevy out of Chicago. It does say on the cookcountystripsearch.com website that a second check from the jails insurance company would come at a later date. If anyone does this and finds out any positive info let me know!
Will there be any more payments?
ITS 2012 NOW, WHAT’S GOING ON?
When will we get the second ckeck? Something is up!!!
Does anyone know of any other lawsuites cook county hads had and if so could you please let me know where i could go for a applciation? THANK YOU
I did get a statement from the illegal strip search in cook county,The new case, Elizzarivs cook county sherrif ,07 cv 2427. Will i get a check?
Ellizari vs cook county sheriff is this a new case. i recieved a letter 03 /18 /2012 , dated feb 24th 2012
back in 1995 an again in 1996 i have seen the (dick dr) an wanted to know if i am gettin any money for this i knew it was agaist my rights but you tell them that lol
can i still get my money from cook county i never got it be for
i was in prison in iowa
can i go down to 320 south micgain and ask for a check or can u give me a number to call
can i go down to 320 south micagin and get my check i never got it befor i was in prison in iowa from 2007 to 2010 and then from 2010 to 2012 then 2013
I was in cook county jail back on 2000. Can I still receive my settlement?
i was lock up in the county jail 20– i was there for three days first strip search and i had never had to take my clothes off in front of 25 people and what suck is we were naked as a baby j bird and then they said to squat down and open our butt cheek and push! too also jump up and down omg i was so scared i did know what to do no one has never seen me naked that was the worst day ever and then we had to pass the mens and as they seen out as we had to mont our bottom of an x ray the men were saying ride it girl you know you love it omg i had never been in jail
Whom do I contact for inquiry on if I received any payment regarding the “Cook co. strip search settlement” – I was incarcerated in Chicago in 2004 (not counting previous other Cook co. jail detainments) – thank you.