Justice
Fair and equal enforcement, with the same constitutional standard applied consistently and without favoritism.
Brad Sandefur
For Cook County Sheriff • Leadership for Unity, Safety, and Justice
Experience. Accountability. Service.
Experienced law-enforcement leadership for the future of the Cook County Sheriff's Office.
Since 1990
Cook County Sheriff's Office career
30 Years
Years of supervisory leadership
17 Years
Years serving as a shift commander
Master's
Criminal Justice with forensic psychology cognate
Events
Meet Brad Sandefur
A safer Cook County starts with us and includes leadership that knows the job.
Brad Sandefur has built his career around law enforcement, supervision, training, investigations, corrections, and public service. His vision is a Sheriff's Office that is prepared, professional, fair, accountable, and connected to the communities it serves.
His experience includes service as a correctional officer, police officer, tactical officer, investigator, academy instructor, supervisor, and shift commander. Before beginning his Cook County career, Brad served as a United States Marine.
Six Commitments
The values that will guide the office.
These six commitments are the foundation of Brad’s plan to build a safer, stronger, and more trusted Cook County Sheriff’s Office.
Community
Open dialogue, public-safety partnerships, and stronger relationships between residents and law enforcement.
Safety
A Sheriff's Office focused on preparedness, reliable operations, enforcement, and the practical needs of deputies in the field.
Mental Health
More appropriate diversion and treatment options for people whose mental health or learning challenges call for care rather than incarceration.
Training
Expanded cross-training, arrest-procedure preparation, stronger field readiness, and professional development across assignments.
Service
A professional culture that values responsibility, discipline, public trust, and the people who depend on the Sheriff's Office every day.
Early Service
United States Marine Corps
Before joining the Cook County Sheriff's Office, Brad served in the United States Marine Corps.
1990
Cook County Sheriff's Office
Brad began his Sheriff's Office career in 1990 and has served across multiple operational assignments.
Operations
Corrections, policing, tactics and investigations
Brad has served as a correctional officer, police officer, tactical officer, investigator, academy instructor, and supervisor.
Leadership
Supervision and shift command
Brad brings 30 years of supervisory leadership, including 17 years serving as a shift commander.
Training
Federal and professional training
Brad has trained with the United States Secret Service, FBI, and Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Education
Criminal justice and forensic psychology
Brad holds a master's degree in Criminal Justice with a forensic psychology cognate and is a Ph.D. candidate.
Brad's Plan
A clear plan for a stronger Sheriff's Office.
Brad's plan focuses on practical changes that strengthen public safety, professional standards, accountability, operational readiness, treatment options, and trust throughout Cook County.
SAFE-T Act and pretrial policy
Brad supports major changes to the SAFE-T Act and Pretrial Fairness Act, with stronger public-safety
safeguards and more effective handling of repeat offenders.
Mental health and addiction treatment
Brad supports mental health diversion when appropriate, expanded residential psychiatric capacity,
and longer-term residential drug-rehabilitation options so people can receive meaningful treatment
instead of repeatedly cycling through the justice system.
Training and field readiness
Brad will prioritize more cross-training, broader arrest-procedure instruction, and stronger preparation
for specialized and street assignments so deputies are equipped to respond safely, confidently, and professionally.
Merit Board and hiring standards
Brad supports restructuring the Sheriff's Merit Board, strengthening pre-hire investigations,
and placing greater emphasis on relevant professional qualifications for leadership and investigative positions.
Discipline, accountability and due process
Brad will insist on clear professional expectations and objective disciplinary procedures for sworn staff,
while protecting fair due process when an employee's career or credibility is at stake.
Operations and interagency cooperation
Brad will work to streamline release procedures, improve operational equipment and transportation readiness,
strengthen arrest-processing capability, and build effective cooperation with law-enforcement agencies
operating within the U.S. Constitution.
The Vision
Unity and justice are not competing goals.
Public safety works best when the community can trust the people enforcing the law and deputies can trust the leadership, training, standards, and tools behind them.
A stronger Sheriff's Office protects the public, respects people, prepares its officers, and holds itself to a standard worthy of Cook County.
01
AccountabilityClear standards, objective processes, responsible leadership.
02
CompassionRecognize when treatment and diversion are the safer answer.
03
CommitmentPrepare the people doing the job and give them the tools to do it well.
04
CommunityMake dialogue, trust, and neighborhood safety part of the daily mission.
Support the Campaign
Help build a safer Cook County.
Contributions are processed by PayPal. Donor information is collected so the committee can maintain the records and disclosures required for campaign-finance reporting.
- Choose a suggested contribution or enter your own amount
- Provide the contributor information required for campaign records
- Review and certify the contribution eligibility statements before continuing to PayPal
Make a Contribution
Choose an amount or enter your own. You’ll continue to PayPal to complete your contribution.
Contribution Eligibility & Disclosure
By submitting a contribution, the contributor certifies the following statements to the extent applicable to the contributor or contributing entity.
- Personal or Entity Funds. This contribution is made from the personal funds of the individual or the general treasury of the corporation, labor organization, or association identified with the contribution, and is not being made by one person in the name of another.
- U.S. Eligibility. The individual contributor is a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted permanent resident, or the contributing U.S. entity is eligible to contribute and the contribution is not financed, directed, or controlled by a foreign national.
- State Contractor Restrictions. If the contributor or contributing entity is subject to 30 ILCS 500/50-37, this contribution complies with the restrictions applicable under that section.
- Cook County Restricted-Source Limitation. If the contributor or entity is a restricted source under Cook County Code § 2-585—including a person or entity doing or seeking significant business with Cook County, a registered County lobbyist, or a person seeking official action—this contribution will not exceed the applicable $1,500 calendar-year limit.
- No Public Funds. No part of this contribution is derived from public funds or the treasury of a unit of government.
- Non-Deductibility. Contributions to Sandefur for Sheriff are not tax-deductible for federal or state income-tax purposes.
- 2025–2026 Illinois Contribution Limits. Current Illinois limits for contributions to a candidate committee are $7,300 from an individual, $14,600 from a corporation, labor organization, or association, and $72,800 from a candidate political committee or PAC per election cycle, unless contribution limits have been lifted for the race under Illinois law.
- Reporting Disclosure. Illinois law requires itemized reporting of the full name and mailing address of contributors whose aggregate contributions exceed $150 in the reporting period. If an individual contributor gives more than $500, occupation and employer information must also be reported or the committee must document a good-faith effort to obtain it.
A copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is (or will be) available on the Board's official website
(www.elections.il.gov)
or for purchase from the State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois.
Paid for by Sandefur for Sheriff
Legal sources & compliance references
Contributions in another person’s name: 10 ILCS 5/9-25 prohibits anonymous contributions and contributions made in the name of another person.
Foreign-national prohibition: 52 U.S.C. § 30121 and FEC rules prohibit foreign-national contributions in connection with federal, state, and local elections; lawful permanent residents are not treated as foreign nationals for this purpose.
State contractor rule: 30 ILCS 500/50-37 applies to specified state contractors, bidders, affiliated persons, and affiliated entities in relation to candidates or officeholders responsible for awarding the relevant state contracts. The certification above is intentionally phrased conditionally.
Cook County restricted sources: Cook County Code § 2-585 limits contributions from specified restricted sources, including persons or entities doing or seeking significant business with the County, registered County lobbyists, and persons seeking official action.
Public funds: 10 ILCS 5/9-25.1 provides that public funds may not be appropriated for political or campaign purposes to a candidate or political organization, subject to statutory exceptions.
Tax treatment: IRS guidance states that contributions to political candidates and campaign committees are not deductible.
Contribution limits: 10 ILCS 5/9-8.5 establishes Illinois contribution limits and directs the State Board of Elections to adjust them for inflation in odd-numbered years. The Board increased the limits effective January 1, 2025; those limits apply through 2026 unless lifted for a race under the statute.
Reporting: 10 ILCS 5/9-11 sets the contributor itemization rules. 10 ILCS 5/9-9 requires the State Board of Elections report-availability notice on literature and advertisements soliciting funds. 10 ILCS 5/9-9.5 requires political communications to clearly identify the political committee paying for the communication.
Official references: Illinois State Board of Elections · 10 ILCS 5/9-11 · 10 ILCS 5/9-8.5 · 30 ILCS 500/50-37 · Cook County Board of Ethics guidance · FEC foreign-national guidance.
Hear From Brad
▶
Why Brad Is Running for Cook County Sheriff
Hear Brad share his experience, his priorities, and the leadership he believes Cook County needs.
Join the Campaign
Let's build a safer Cook County together.
Donate, Volunteer, and Spread the Word. Invite Brad to a community conversation, request an interview, or contact the campaign directly.