Former mayoral candidate Willie Wilson bails out 12 Cook County Jail detainees amid COVID-19 outbreak

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago businessman and former mayoral candidate Dr. Willie Wilson bailed out 12 Cook County jail detainees Thursday morning before giving them each $400 along with face masks amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The detainees are all charged with non-violent misdemeanors.

Wilson also donated 10,000 face masks for other detainees and staff at the jail.

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The Cook County Jail is one of worst COVID-19 outbreaks in the nation, with hundreds of COVID-19 cases diagnosed in the past month.

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So far, 700 detainees and staff have tested positive for COVID-19 cases and six detainees and one correctional officer have died from the virus.

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A federal judge ruled Monday that COVID-19 safety changes at the Cook County Jail must remain in place while new social distancing is ordered to keep detainees and jail personnel safe.