Before the Cook County Courthouse was erected, Courthouse Place had served as Chicago's primary criminal justice facility. Built in 1893, it was located at 54 West Hubbard Street in the center of the city's business district, and served as the hub for trying, incarcerating, and executing criminals. In the beginning of the 20th century, however, Chicago saw a vast surge in crime and violence, which led to a significant increase in arrests and prison sentences. By the early 1920s, Courthouse Place was housing over 1200 inmates - more than double its designated capacity. With complications regarding little room for expansion and public perception, city officials ultimately elected to build a new structure outside of the city's downtown district, where criminals wouldn't be able to mar the city's appearance, and where there would be ample room for further construction. Architect Eric Edwin Hall was chosen to work with the city council for the building's design, and it was ultimately constructed by Hall, Lawrence, and Ratcliffe Inc. for $7.5 million.

Sources: 

"Cook County Jail History." Cookcountysheriff.org. Cook County Sheriff's Office. Web.

“Courthouse Place.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web.

Hall, Eric E. "Cook County's Criminal Court and Jail in the Making." The Western Architect 38.9 (1929): 155. Google. The Western Architect Publishing Company, 30 Oct. 2009. Web.

Hammett, Ralph W., A.I.A. "The New Cook County Criminal Court and Jail Buildings." The Western Architect 38.9 (1929): 156-158. Google. The Western Architect Publishing Company, 30 Oct. 2009. Web.