Death of Lake County Jail inmate prompts investigation

WAUKEGAN -- Authorities are investigating what caused the death of Lake County Jail inmate on New Year’s Eve.

About 9:35 p.m. Dec. 31, 2024, a Lake County Jail inmate was found unresponsive inside his jail cell, according to a news release.

The inmate, a 53-year-old Zion man, was remanded to the Lake County Jail on Dec. 30, 2024, in connection with a drug-related charge.

The man had a number of health-related issues and was assigned to be monitored in the “1 East” cellblock of the jail, according to the release. The man was assigned a double-inmate cell; however, he did not have a cellmate.

About 8:31 p.m., the inmate was alert when seen by the jail’s medical care provider nurse, for prescription drug pass, which is when inmates are provided with any prescribed medications by medical professionals, according to the release. Following the prescription drug pass, correctional officer rounds were conducted at least every 30 minutes.

About 9:34 p.m., during rounds, a correctional officer saw the inmate unresponsive in his cell. The correctional officer called a medical emergency on his portable radio, and medical staff responded to attempt life-saving efforts. Paramedics were also summoned to the scene. After a lengthy attempt to save the man’s life, paramedics contacted the hospital, and a doctor pronounced the man dead, according to the release.

The inmate has been identified as 53-year-old Arthur Bankston II, of Zion. On Jan. 2, an autopsy was conducted at the Lake County Coroner’s Office. Preliminary autopsy results are pending further testing including toxicology tests. Bankston had underlying medical conditions, and there was no evidence suspicious marks or any injuries noted at autopsy.

Per protocol, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office requested the assistance of the Lake County Major Crime Task Force to conduct an independent investigation.