From the Sheriff:
McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Launches Innovative Partnership with Illinois Department of Human Services and Thresholds
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce a new intergovernmental partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Behavioral Health & Recovery (IDHS/DBHR) and Thresholds, one of Illinois’ leading mental health providers, to enhance the housing and care of forensic detainees.
Through this agreement, the McHenry County Detention Center will provide temporary housing for up to twelve detainees who have been adjudicated Unfit to Stand Trial and are awaiting transfer to a g
state inpatient forensic treatment program.
The partnership ensures detainees are securely housed and receive medical and mental health care until they can receive the specialized psychiatric treatment they need.
Sheriff Robb Tadelman called the program a natural fit for McHenry County, “Safety and compassion aren’t opposites. In McHenry County, they walk hand in hand.
“When our jail capacity shifted in recent years, we looked for ways to use that space to meet real needs across Illinois.
“This program was a natural fit. It’s one of those rare ‘everybody wins’ opportunities.”
This is not the first time the Sheriff’s Office has leveraged its capacity to support broader needs.
Starting in 2022, the Sheriff’s Office successfully partnered with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office to house 150 of their inmates without increasing staffing.
Building on that success, Sheriff Tadelman saw an opportunity to address a pressing statewide issue: finding safe, effective housing for individuals found unfit to stand trial.
“One of the things I love about our county is that they’ve trusted me to find new ways to solve tough problems,” Sheriff Tadelman added.
“Sometimes my staff teases me for always trying something new, but programs like this prove the value of that approach.
“We are only a month into the pilot, and we’ve already seen individuals restored to fitness in our custody and returned to their home counties to stand trial.
“That’s a win for justice, for public safety, and for the people we serve.”
The Sheriff’s Office will work closely with Thresholds, as well as WellPath, the County’s contracted medical provider, to ensure that detainees receive comprehensive mental health and medical care while housed locally.
The Sheriff’s Office remains committed to working with state and local partners to find innovative solutions that strengthen public safety and meet needs across Illinois.
