Submitting a Claim
Claims
The General Liability Division investigates and works to resolve claims filed by individuals alleging they have been harmed by a negligent act by Cook County. Once a claim is reported and submitted, it is assigned to the County’s third-party administrator (TPA), who will investigate and review the County’s liability.
If liability is established, we work with the claimant to reach a settlement agreement. The claimant must then sign a release and provide all required documentation in accordance with the settlement terms. Approval is submitted to the County Comptroller for payment. If it is determined that Cook County is not liable, a denial letter will be issued explaining the reason for the denial.
Please note that claims require a minimum of ninety (90) days for investigation and resolution.
Claims involving the Cook County Forest Preserve District are handled by FPD. https://fpdcc.com/about/departments/legal/.
How to Submit a Claim
In order to submit a claim against Cook County you must submit the following documentation:
- An incident report
- A police report for claims with damage exceeding $1,000 or as requested by the County or their third-party claims administrator (TPA)
- A copy of 2 estimates of the cost to repair the damage
- Photo(s) of the damage to your vehicle or property
- A phone number or an email address where you can be reached
Send via email to: riskmgmt.genliability@cookcountyil.gov or mail to: Cook County Department of Risk Management, General Liability, 161 N. Clark, Suite 2400B, Chicago, IL 60601.
Following the submission of your claim, the General Liability Division will begin an investigation, and you will subsequently receive a determination via mail. It is important to note that completing the form does not guarantee acceptance or payment for damages incurred. The investigation may result in a determination that Cook County has no liability for the claim.
Cook County works to keep roads safe and in good condition. Still, not every pothole-related damage claim qualifies for reimbursement under Illinois law. Each claim is reviewed by our claims administrator to decide if the County is responsible. If your car was damaged by a pothole or other issue on a County-maintained Road, email the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways at: CCDOTH.PropertyClaims@cookcountyil.gov.
Governing Law
Cook County as a public entity is governed by the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/8-101).