Cook County $5.68M Race Discrimination in Hiring Settlement

Danielle Toth

Editor

Published

May 25, 2026 7:41 PM

Updated

May 25, 2026

Who are the class members?

To be considered a class member in this settlement, individuals must meet all of the following criteria:

They identify as Black (African American).
They applied for a correctional officer position at the Cook County jail after March 13, 2015.
Cook County did not hire them because they did not pass one of the following: the first written test (NCJOSI2), the second written test (SBSA-LEO) or the physical abilities test (PAT).

The settlement divides the class into four specific groups:

Black applicants who took and did not pass the NCJOSI2 after March 14, 2015, and before April 18, 2016
Black applicants who took and did not pass the NCJOSI2 after April 18, 2016, through May 30, 2025
Black applicants who passed the NCJOSI2 after March 14, 2015, but did not pass the SBSA-LEO through May 30, 2025
Black applicants who passed the NCJOSI2 after March 14, 2015, but did not pass the PAT through March 19, 2022

How much can class members receive?

Pro rata payment: The total settlement fund is $5,675,000. Eligible class members who submit a valid claim form can receive a payment from the settlement fund. The expected payment range is $950-$2,000 with a maximum of $10,000 per person. The actual amount each person receives will depend on the number of valid claims submitted and the court-approved deductions from the settlement fund for settlement administration costs, attorneys' fees and expenses, and service awards to the five class representatives.

If payments reach the per-person maximum of $10,000 and funds remain, the excess will revert to Cook County.

How to claim a Cook County payout

Class members must log in to the settlement website using the CPT ID and passcode located on the settlement notice they received to complete the online claim form. Those who do not have a CPT ID and/or passcode should email simpsoncookcountysettlement@cptgroup.com. There is no PDF claim form. The claim deadline is Aug. 5, 2026.

Those who wish to reapply for the correctional officer position under a new process can also submit a job application form.

Class members who want to opt out of the settlement must complete and mail an opt-out form by the same deadline as above.

Payout options

The settlement administrator will mail paper checks to eligible class members after it processes all claims and the court resolves any appeals and grants final approval to the settlement.

$5.68 million settlement fund breakdown

The $5,675,000 settlement fund covers:

Settlement administration costs: $31,000 (estimated)
Attorneys' fees: $1,891,666.67
Attorneys' expenses: $370,000 (estimated)
Service awards to class representatives: $5,000 each for five representatives ($25,000)
Payments to approved class members: $3,400,000 (estimated remaining funds)

Important dates

Deadline to file a claim: Aug. 5, 2026
Deadline to opt out: Aug. 5, 2026
Final fairness approval hearing: Aug. 28, 2026

When is the Simpson v. Dart settlement payout date?

The settlement administrator will issue payments to eligible class members approximately 14 days after it processes all claims and the court resolves any appeals and grants final approval of the settlement.

Why is there a class action settlement?

The class action lawsuit alleged the written and physical abilities tests the Cook County sheriff's merit board used to screen applicants for correctional officer positions discriminated against Black applicants. The plaintiffs claimed these tests unfairly excluded qualified Black candidates from employment.

After years of litigation and negotiation, the parties agreed to settle the case to provide compensation and job opportunities to affected applicants without admitting wrongdoing.