The Hiring Process for Class Members

If you are a Class Member and want to re-apply for a Correctional Officer job at the Cook County Department of Corrections, the Settlement creates a modified hiring process for Class Members. The key features are summarized below. For full details, see paragraphs 43–57 of the Settlement Agreement.

How to Re-Apply

To participate in this process, you must submit an online job application to the Cook County Sheriff's Merit Board before the application deadline. The deadline is expected to be November 27, 2026. If the deadline is extended, the new date will be posted on this webpage. Apply at:

https://cookcountyil.taleo.net/careersection/800/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en

Class Members who do not apply by the deadline will not be eligible for the special hiring process or the secondary review described below.

Changes to the Merit Board Tests

Second written test (SBSA-LEO) and Physical Abilities Test: Class Members are excused. You will not have to take or re-take either test.

First written test (NCJOSI2): The passing score has been lowered to 65%, and the test is now scored on a composite basis weighing the integrity section at 75% and the cognitive section at 25%. If you previously passed the test—or would have passed under the new scoring—you do not need to retake it. If you still do not have a passing score, you will be given an opportunity to retake it.

Priority Processing

At every step of the Merit Board's certification process, Class Member applications will be prioritized. The Sheriff's Office will then process Class Members' files in the order it receives them from the Merit Board, so the priority continues through the rest of the hiring process.

Changes to the Merit Board Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ)

  • Race identifiers (the Vital Statistics and Residence section) will be removed from Class Members' PHQs.
  • Photographs will be removed from Class Members' files before final Merit Board review.
  • Two PHQ questions about friends', relatives', and roommates' alleged gang ties have been eliminated. Gang-related questions ask only about the applicant.

Timing

  • Once you submit a complete PHQ with all required documents, the Merit Board will assign you to an investigator within 30 days.
  • Within 30 days of meeting with that investigator, the Merit Board will decide whether to certify you and notify you of its decision.

If You Are Rejected by the Merit Board

Merit Board rejection. If the Merit Board rejects you at the final certification stage, you will receive a written explanation detailed enough to allow a meaningful appeal. The Merit Board will decide your appeal within 60 days. If your appeal is granted, the Merit Board will certify you within 15 days and forward your file to the Sheriff's Office.

If You Are Rejected by the Sheriff's Office

Sheriff's Office rejection. If the Sheriff's Office rejects you at any point before orientation (for example, after a polygraph or background check), you will receive a disqualification letter explaining your right to appeal under the Sheriff's Office's standard procedures.

Independent secondary review. If the Sheriff's Office denies your internal appeal, you have the right to an independent secondary review by the federal Magistrate Judge assigned to this case. You must request this review within 30 days of receiving notice of the right. The Magistrate Judge's decision is final.

After You're Certified

All Class Members who are certified by the Merit Board and then successfully complete the Sheriff's Office process will be offered jobs. Class Members who complete the pre-orientation steps will be placed on the academy list for the next Correctional Officer Academy class. If 50 or more candidates are on the list at one time, candidates will be assigned to academy classes in the order they were placed on the list.

Hiring freezes. If a hiring freeze is in place, Class Members on the academy list will keep their spots for the next class after the freeze ends and will not be required to take a second polygraph.

Important to Know

  • Re-applying under this Settlement does not guarantee employment. You must still successfully complete the revised hiring process.
  • You do not need to re-apply for the job to receive your share of the settlement money. To receive money, you must submit a Claim Form.
  • To receive money AND re-apply for the job, you must submit BOTH a Claim Form and a Job Application.

For complete details on the hiring process, see paragraphs 43–57 of the Settlement Agreement.