Cook County, IL police scanner: police are encrypted. Here's what you can still hear.
Last checked: 27 Oct 2026
Chicago Police Department: The city moved police dispatch zones from open analog to encrypted digital channels zone by zone from May 2022. A public copy runs on a roughly 30-minute delay. CBS Chicago (Jan 2024) quotes the city's emergency-communications office on the encrypted system. (Scope: zone dispatch channels (all zones per later reports; not confirmed zone by zone).) Cook County Sheriff's Police: A 2013 local news report said Sheriff's police radios had been encrypted for several years, so neighbouring departments could not hear them. Old source; not re-confirmed since. (Scope: unspecified (2013 report).)
We haven't found an official or news source on fire radio encryption here yet. The FCC licenses below show whether the county's channels are analog or digital, not whether they are encrypted.
We haven't found an official or news source on EMS radio encryption here yet. The FCC licenses below show whether the county's channels are analog or digital, not whether they are encrypted.
What you can still hear
- Chicago Police Department on an old analog scanner: Mixed: some analog, some digital (FCC licenses).
- Cook County Sheriff's Police on an old analog scanner: No, needs a digital P25 scanner (FCC licenses).
- Old analog scanner, county-wide: Mixed: some analog, some digital (FCC licenses).
- Chicago Police Department (zone dispatch channels (all zones per later reports; not confirmed zone by zone)): encrypted, so no scanner hears it.
- Cook County Sheriff's Police (unspecified (2013 report)): encrypted, so no scanner hears it.
Agency by agency
Chicago Police Department
Reported encryptedWhat: zone dispatch channels (all zones per later reports; not confirmed zone by zone)
Old analog scanner: Mixed: some analog, some digital (FCC licenses)
Cook County Sheriff's Police
Reported encryptedWhat: unspecified (2013 report)
Old analog scanner: No, needs a digital P25 scanner (FCC licenses)
Analog or digital?
Works on an old analog scanner? Mixed: some analog, some digital. The main licensees split between analog and digital channels.
- Digital only: 40%
- Analog only: 55%
- Licensed for both: 5%
621 voice channels of the main licensees; 239 licensees with voice channels in the county. Licenses show analog or digital, never encryption. FCC ULS license file of 18 Oct 2026
Recommended scanner
Analog + digital Works on an old analog scanner? Mixed: some analog, some digital. The main licensees split between analog and digital channels. From FCC licenses, which don't show encryption.
Top pick
Uniden SDS100 (handheld)
The county's main licensed channels are a mix of analog and digital. A digital P25 Phase II scanner hears analog and P25, wherever traffic isn't encrypted. It also handles simulcast sites, which licenses don't show.
- $689.99 Amazon
- $699.99 ScannerMaster
Prices as of 19 Oct 2026
We earn a commission if you buy through these links. It doesn't change your price.
Cheaper P25 option
Whistler WS1065 (desk)
Hears P25 Phase I and II, but can struggle near simulcast sites. A good choice if you've confirmed the local system isn't simulcast.
- $351.49 Amazon
Price as of 19 Oct 2026
We earn a commission if you buy through these links. It doesn't change your price.
Analog only
Uniden BC125AT (handheld)
Hears only the analog channels, which here are part of the picture.
- $137.65 Amazon
Price as of 19 Oct 2026
We earn a commission if you buy through these links. It doesn't change your price.
What NOT to buy
- Anything sold as an “encryption decoder.” It won't play encrypted traffic.
Questions
Can I still listen to Cook County, IL police on a scanner?
Encrypted: Chicago Police Department (zone dispatch channels (all zones per later reports; not confirmed zone by zone)); Cook County Sheriff's Police (unspecified (2013 report)). Police agencies not named here haven't been checked yet.
Do I need a digital scanner in Cook County, IL?
Mixed: some analog, some digital. The main licensees split between analog and digital channels. Licenses show whether a channel is analog or digital, not whether it's encrypted.
Which scanner should I buy for Cook County, IL?
Uniden SDS100 ($689.99 at Amazon, price as of 19 Oct 2026). The county's main licensed channels are a mix of analog and digital. A digital P25 Phase II scanner hears analog and P25, wherever traffic isn't encrypted. It also handles simulcast sites, which licenses don't show.
Are fire and EMS radios encrypted in Cook County, IL?
Fire: Not checked yet. EMS: Not checked yet. "Not checked yet" means we haven't found an official or news source so far.
Where does this information come from?
The analog or digital answer comes from the FCC's public license file of 18 Oct 2026: the voice channels licensed to public safety agencies with transmitter sites in the county. Encryption comes from official statements and news reports, each listed under Sources with its date.
Cities in this county
Chicago · Oak Park · Schaumburg · Evanston · Arlington Heights · Niles · Palatine · Skokie · Cicero · Oak Lawn · Mount Prospect · Des Plaines · Berwyn · Hoffman Estates · Northbrook · Streamwood · Wilmette · Lemont · Norridge · Palos Heights · River Forest · Barrington · Calumet City · Elk Grove Village · Oak Forest · Chicago Heights · Morton Grove · Rolling Meadows · Blue Island · South Holland · Dolton · Harvey · Matteson · Alsip · Bellwood · Palos Hills · Bridgeview · Westchester · Country Club Hills · Prospect Heights · Hickory Hills · Chicago Ridge · Lincolnwood · Winnetka · Lyons · River Grove · Sauk Village · Harwood Heights · Broadview · North Riverside · Stickney · Orland Hills · Rosemont · La Grange · Western Springs · Hazel Crest · Northlake · Justice · Worth · Steger · Flossmoor · Glencoe · Glenwood · Hillside · Calumet Park · Countryside · Willow Springs · Posen · Robbins · Hometown · Burnham · South Chicago Heights · Hodgkins · East Hazel Crest · Forest View