Iris Hernandez

“You have a voice. We hear you. You are not alone in this fight.”

Iris R. Hernandez is a proud daughter of Northlake Illinois, and a foundational force in the Cook County Corrections Coalition (C4). A deeply thoughtful and determined leader, Iris brings a powerful mix of emotional intelligence, institutional experience, and quiet strength to the frontlines of officer advocacy.

While pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at Loyola University Chicago, Iris planned to become a lawyer, until an unexpected internship changed everything. Through direct exposure to the criminal justice system, she realized her true calling was not in the  courtroom, but on the front lines of law enforcement. Encouraged by a longtime friend, she applied to the Cook County Department of Corrections and began her career at the Academy a year later.

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

• Division 4
• Division 8 RTU (Residential Treatment Unit)
• Division 6
• Division 10 – In-Person Visitation Unit

Through each assignment, she not only built operational knowledge, but also witnessed the devastating gaps in how correctional officers are treated, especially when injured.

Her defining moment came after suffering a serious hand injury while restraining an inmate in Division 6. After nine months on IOD, her surgery was denied, despite her doctor’s clear recommendation. She was forced to return to work with no restrictions and in constant pain. After a year and three months of bouncing back and forth between video visits and Post 2 in Division 6, while restraining another inmate at Post 2, Iris’s condition worsened, only then did the County approve her light duty status and authorize the long-overdue surgery.

Why C4? Why Now?

That experience cemented her purpose: no officer should be abandoned for getting hurt on the job. Iris joined C4 not just for herself, but to amplify the voices of every officer who has suffered in silence, been gaslit through red tape, or denied the basic dignity of care.

“Working at Cook County really broke me out of my shell and helped me come into my own. I started to become more outspoken and more confident in myself. Seeing other officers dealing with similar experiences inspired me to find my voice and speak for others as well.”

What She Brings to the Board

Iris is known among her peers for her unwavering responsibility, resilience, and transparency. She leads with clarity, listens without ego, and speaks with conviction. Her presence on the board represents the growing power of officers who are no longer willing to be ignored, dismissed, or sacrificed.

“I’m a responsible, resilient, passionate, and dedicated person who is determined to accomplish whatever I set my mind to. I’m very organized, very transparent, and a great listener.”

Personal Mission

Her leadership mission is clear: “For my brothers and sisters in blue to know that they are being heard, that they do have real power. If we stick together, we can accomplish great things.”

Message to Officers

“You have a voice. We hear you. You are not alone in this fight.”