Chief Deputy Ben Hallberg selected to serve as interim sheriff beginning in May

The Cook County Sheriff’s Department will soon see a change in leadership. On March 9 Sheriff Pat Eliasen announced his resignation from the role, effective May 8.

At their March 10 meeting, the Board of Commissioners discussed the process of filling the upcoming vacancy. They opted to select Chief Deputy Ben Hallberg to complete Eliasen’s term. He will take on the role beginning in May, once Eliasen finishes his time with the county.

At the meeting, the board discussed the procedure for filling the role. In his letter of resignation, Eliasen recommended Hallberg be selected as interim sheriff. Commissioner Ann Sullivan said during the meeting that in the event that a sheriff was unable to serve, typically the chief deputy would be called on to fill in.

Before voting to select Hallberg, however, the board briefly discussed whether the upcoming election was a factor to consider. Commissioner Garry Gamble questioned whether the appointment would give an advantage to Hallberg in this fall’s election. Hallberg has signaled that he intends to run for sheriff this year.

No other candidates were discussed for the appointment. Ultimately, the board decided that the upcoming election was not a reason to break from the typical process for filling a leadership vacancy, and voted unanimously to take Eliasen’s recommendation to select Hallberg as interim sheriff.

In an email to WTIP, Hallberg wrote, “I am honored to be approved by the County Commissioners as the Interim Sheriff to complete the end of Sheriff Eliasen’s term after May 8th.  I have worked with Sheriff Eliasen my entire career at the Sheriff’s Office, and I appreciate his recommendation to fill this difficult role.  I feel I am ready to take on the new challenges this appointment will bring.”

The final paragraph of this article was added after the original publication upon WTIP receiving a response from Hallberg to a request for comment.

Kirsten Wisniewski March 10, 2026