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.
Coronavirus: What to know about Illinois' 50,355 COVID-19 cases, Chicago impact
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.
CORONAVIRUS: Young Chicago attorney springs prisoners in COVID-19 scare at Cook County Jail
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.
Cook County Jail correctional officers sue for overtime spent sanitizing for COVID-19
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.
Former mayoral candidate Willie Wilson bails out 12 Cook County Jail detainees amid COVID-19 outbreak
