Thomas J. Dart
Democratic, incumbent
Cook County Sheriff
AI wrote this from the sources listed below. A second AI checked each sentence against its source, and software checked the links and dates. A person didn’t review it, so every sentence links to its source for you to check. Updated Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
Overview
Thomas J. Dart has been the Cook County Sheriff since 2006.1 Before that, he worked as an assistant state’s attorney in Cook County and served in the Illinois legislature, where he chaired the House Judiciary Committee.2 He oversees the Cook County Jail, the nation’s largest single-site jail.3
Under his leadership, the Cook County Jail was released from nearly 40 years of federal oversight.4 His office does not honor U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers for immigrants in county custody.5 He filed a federal lawsuit against Craigslist that led to the removal of its adult services section to combat human trafficking.6 In 2008, he suspended foreclosure evictions in Cook County.1
He says he expanded mental health responses through the Co-Responder Virtual Assistance Program, which equips police with tablets to video-connect people in crisis with clinicians.7 He says the initiative has handled over 1,400 calls since 2020.7
Campaign money
- Reporting period
- April 1 to June 30, 2026
- Raised
- $52,587
- Cash on hand
- $432,648
| Source | Amount | Share of money raised |
|---|---|---|
| Small gifts ($150 or less) | $125 | Under 1% |
| Larger gifts | $52,462 | Over 99% |
Large contributions reported since June 30, 2026: $12,663 in 7 gifts. See the large contribution reports.
Source: Illinois State Board of Elections filings for Friends of Dart
Endorsements
Sources
- Tom Dart, Wikipedia. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Thomas Dart, Cook County Government. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Thomas Dart, Ballotpedia. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Tom Dart seeks reelection as Cook County sheriff in 2026, North Shore Weekly. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- May 21, 2026 The Honorable Thomas J. Dart Sheriff Cook ..., U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Sheriff Thomas J. Dart, U.S. House of Representatives. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Opinion: Cook County's 911 mental health response is growing, Chicago Tribune. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- CFL-2026-General-Election-Endorsements.pdf, Chicago Federation of Labor. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- ILLINOIS PRIMARY ELECTION DAY: MARCH 17, 2026, IUOE Local 150. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Our endorsed slate, 46th Ward Democrats. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Endorsements - 47th Ward Democrats, 47th Ward Democrats. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.