Local 700 Cook County Department of Corrections Members,

Earlier this week, Local 700 was verbally notified about a potential proposal from the Cook County Sheriff's Office to eliminate the Electronic Monitoring Program. Today, we received written confirmation of this proposal, which would impact more than 150 Local 700 members. This is a deeply troubling proposal for a number of reasons.

Electronic monitoring is a critical public safety mechanism, one that has become increasingly prevalent in recent years. Electronic monitoring allows law enforcement to ensure offenders are abiding by the terms set forward by a judge, and the CCDOC Electronic Monitoring Program provides the necessary manpower to keep this program operational. Eliminating the Electronic Monitoring Program could very well undermine the use of electronic monitoring in general, which could lead to a variety of unknown negative consequences for public safety.

Additionally, this hasty announcement raises extremely serious concerns about terms and conditions of employment for our members as outlined in the collective bargaining agreement. Let me be clear: our members in the Electronic Monitoring Program have protected public safety with distinction, and we will not stand idly by as their livelihoods are thrown into the air by this proposal.

As this process moves forward, please know that Local 700 is ready to fight using every means at its disposal to both protect public safety and protect the rights of our members. Our communities, our public safety, and our members are absolutely paramount.

Stay Strong. Stay Safe. Stay United.

Fraternally,

Ramon D. Williams

President