Jacob Kolus is a board member of the Cook County Corrections Coalition (C4) and a proud resident of Matteson, Illinois, originally from Plainfield. He joined the Department of Corrections with the goal of restoring trust in a profession too often judged by its worst examples.

“At the time, it seemed everyone hated law enforcement, and I wanted to prove to everyone I knew that not everyone in law enforcement is a bad person.”

At Cook County Jail, Jacob has served across a wide range of high-pressure environments, including:

• Division 8 RTU (Residential Treatment Unit)

• Division 10 – In-Person Visitation Unit

• Division 11

Through these assignments, he’s experienced how broken systems affect even the most dedicated officers. After being injured on the job, he saw how a supervisor escalated the situation instead of stepping in to help. Later, during a disciplinary hearing, a union representative pressured him to sign paperwork under threat of termination—despite the issue stemming from a simple workforce date entry error.

Why He Joined C4

Jacob joined C4 to be part of something real—an organization that holds leadership accountable and protects the very people who keep the jail functioning. He believes C4 is the best opportunity to create lasting change for officers who have been ignored, used, or threatened into silence.

“I’ve always wanted to make a true difference, and I feel C4 is the best opportunity for me to accomplish that.”

What He Brings to the Board

Jacob brings tenacity, courage, and a sense of justice grounded in personal experience. He stands up for what’s right - not based on popularity or position, but because it’s what the job demands when leadership fails.

“I believe I have a certain tenacity and courage to stand up for what’s right, no matter who it is.”

Personal Mission

“To encourage other officers to do the right thing—and to defend those who have been wronged.”

Message to Officers

“You became an officer for a reason - you wanted to stand for something. It’s time to stand up for yourselves and get what you deserve from your employers.”