Cook County Sheriff's police aim to keep suburban polls safe and secure

CHICAGO - Cook County Sheriff’s Police will be stationed at polling sites across suburban Cook County on Election Day to help maintain safety for both voters and poll workers.

Officers will handle any reports of prohibited conduct at the polls, including electioneering, interference with voting, and noncompliance with election judge orders.

The Sheriff’s Office also provided suburban police departments with information on polling location laws, such as election judges’ authority, as well as who is allowed inside polling places and prohibited conduct at such sites.

"We want the citizens of Cook County to feel safe and secure while exercising their right to vote," Sheriff Tom Dart said.

Voters are encouraged to report any suspicious behavior to 911 or to Sheriff’s Police at 847-635-1188.

Meanwhile, in Chicago, Max Bever with the Chicago Board of Elections says poll workers may encounter testy voters but that police will handle any problems.

"Instead of training our poll workers to deal with any public safety issues, like many other jurisdictions are having to do, we have a team of polling place investigators – over 400 either off duty or retired law enforcement officers that serve as our resource for Election Day. They're assigned to all of our polling places and our vote centers. They're on call in case any issues pop up. They're the ones that are trained to de-escalate a situation," Bever said.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is urging voters to call his office if they suspect improper or illegal activity in or near polling places.