Cook County $5.68M Race Discrimination in Hiring Settlement
If you're a Black applicant who tested for a Cook County Correctional Officer position and felt the screening tests were unfair, you can file a claim for up to $10,000. You must actively submit a claim form — nothing is automatic. A filing deadline hasn't been announced yet.
Up to $10,000 per person
Cook County is paying $5,675,000 total into a settlement fund. After attorneys' fees (up to one-third of the fund) and costs are deducted, roughly $3.4 million is expected to be split equally among people who file claims, with a cap of $10,000 per person. All amounts are subject to court approval.
⏳ Claim deadline not listed here yet — confirm the official filing deadline on the settlement site before relying on it.
📄 Proof requirement not specified here — check the official site for what documentation, if any, a claim needs.
You'll go to: www.simpsoncookcountysettlement.com
Who may qualify
You qualify if you're a Black applicant who took any of the three Merit Board screening tests for a Cook County Correctional Officer job — the first written test, second written test, or the physical abilities test — and were part of the applicant pool covered by this lawsuit (Case No. 18-cv-553).
Official eligibility wording
Black applicants for Cook County Correctional Officer jobs who took the Merit Board's screening tests (the first written test, second written test, and physical abilities test) alleged to have discriminated against Black applicants.
This summary is based on available official settlement sources. The settlement administrator determines eligibility and payment approval.
New to the terms? Plain-English: claim deadline, proof of purchase, administrator, pro rata.
Proof requirements
Proof requirement is currently marked as Unknown.
Review the official claim form before submitting any information.
What you need
Submit a claim form online at simpsoncookcountysettlement.com/Login. Proof requirements haven't been specified yet, so gather any records you have of your application and test participation. If you want to reapply for the job, submit a separate job application form at the same site.
How to file this claim
- Log in and submit your Claim Form at https://www.simpsoncookcountysettlement.com/Login.
- If you want to reapply for a Correctional Officer position too, submit both a Claim Form and a Job Application. One form alone won't get you both benefits.
- Check the Important Dates page at https://www.simpsoncookcountysettlement.com/Dates for all deadlines, including when claims are due.
- If you want out of the settlement entirely, submit an Opt Out Form by the exclusion deadline on that same page.
- If you object to the settlement but still want your money, file a written objection with the Court and submit a Claim Form.
What the form asks
- Claim Form — Your personal information as a Black applicant who took the Merit Board's Correctional Officer screening tests. (Your own Cook County job application records.)
- Job Application Form (optional) — Fill this out only if you want to reapply for the Correctional Officer job under the new settlement process. (Available on the settlement website and directly at https://cookcountyil.taleo.net/careersection/800/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en.)
Documents you'll need
- Evidence of test participation (if requested)
Watch out for
- The claim deadline isn't published here. Go to https://www.simpsoncookcountysettlement.com/Dates to find it.
- Want both the money and the job reapplication? Submit both forms. Submitting only one locks you out of the other benefit.
- Your actual payment could be less than $10,000. The final per-person amount depends on how many class members file valid claims and what the Court approves for fees.
- Attorneys plan to ask the Court for one-third of the $5,675,000 fund as fees, which reduces what's left for claimants.
- If you don't file, you get no money and lose your spot in the job reapplication process.
We prepare — you file on the official site yourself. This is not legal advice and is not an eligibility decision; the administrator and court decide.
How do I file a claim for this settlement?
File directly with the official administrator via the official claim form.
- Confirm you are within the eligible group described in the official notice — the settlement administrator determines eligibility.
- Gather any documents the official form asks for — this settlement marks proof as Unknown.
- Open the official claim form or settlement website.
- Submit accurate information through the official settlement administrator or government source.
- Save your confirmation number if one is provided, then watch the payment status for distribution updates.
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How we verified this record
- Payout details the official settlement website · Jun 16, 2026
- Eligibility the official settlement website · Jun 16, 2026
- Official claim link the official settlement website · Jun 16, 2026
- Claim deadline queued for re-check
- Proof requirement queued for re-check
- Administrator queued for re-check
- Court case queued for re-check
- Payment status queued for re-check
Every published record clears our source-verification bar; remaining fields are checked one by one on our weekly re-verification pass.
Checked fields are matched against a named official source and re-checked on a schedule. We show the authority and the date, never our internal evidence link.
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Eligibility summary
Black applicants for Cook County Correctional Officer jobs who took the Merit Board's screening tests (the first written test, second written test, and physical abilities test) alleged to have discriminated against Black applicants.
Verified Jun 16, 2026 · against the official settlement website
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Estimated payout
Up to $10,000 per person
Verified Jun 16, 2026 · against the official settlement website
Show all 1 more verified field
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Official claim URL
www.simpsoncookcountysettlement.com
Verified Jun 16, 2026 · against the official settlement website
Common questions
Is the Cook County $5.68M Race Discrimination in Hiring settlement legitimate?
Yes — the Cook County $5.68M Race Discrimination in Hiring settlement is a real claims process that SettleSignal tracks from its official source. File only through the official settlement website (www.simpsoncookcountysettlement.com); a genuine settlement administrator never charges a fee to file. SettleSignal last checked this record against the official source on June 16, 2026. Always confirm the current details on the official site before filing.
Who may qualify for this settlement?
Black applicants for Cook County Correctional Officer jobs who took the Merit Board's screening tests (the first written test, second written test, and physical abilities test) alleged to have discriminated against Black applicants.
Do I need proof to claim?
Proof requirement: Unknown. The settlement administrator determines what documentation, if any, is required.
What is the current payment status?
Current payment status: Unknown. Payments are issued by the administrator after the court process concludes.
When will Cook County $5.68M Race Discrimination in Hiring Settlement pay out?
Current payment status: Unknown. Class-action payouts typically begin only after final approval and any appeals. See our payout timeline guide.
Where is the official Cook County $5.68M Race Discrimination in Hiring Settlement claim form?
The official claim form is hosted by the settlement administrator. Use the 'Open official claim form' button on this page — never pay a fee to file.
What were the tests accused of being discriminatory?
The lawsuit targeted three tests the Cook County Sheriff's Merit Board used to screen Correctional Officer candidates: a first written test, a second written test (the SBSA-LEO), and a physical abilities test. Black applicants alleged these tests were biased against them.
How much money could I get?
Up to $10,000 per person. The settlement document says approximately $3.4 million is expected to be divided equally among everyone who files a valid claim, but the exact amount per person depends on how many people file. The court has to approve all figures.
Can I get money AND reapply for the job?
Yes — but only if you submit both a claim form and a separate job application form. Submitting just one gets you only that benefit. If you want both, you must file both.
What happens if I opt out?
Opting out means you get no settlement money and lose access to the special re-application process. You would, however, keep the right to sue Cook County and the Merit Board separately over the discriminatory tests.
When is the deadline to file?
A filing deadline hasn't been posted yet. Check simpsoncookcountysettlement.com/Dates for updates, and don't wait too long — deadlines in these cases are firm once set.
Where to act
When you are ready, you open the official claim form yourself. SettleSignal does not file claims or determine eligibility.
Use the official settlement administrator or government source.
Listed on the official settlement website.
Disclaimer
This service summarizes publicly available settlement information and links to official settlement sources. We are not a law firm, do not provide legal advice, do not submit claims on your behalf, and do not determine eligibility or payout approval. Only file a claim if the information you provide is accurate.
Change log
- June 16, 2026 — Settlement published after verification.
- June 16, 2026 — Verified field details updated from an official source.