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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
PROPOSED RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING IN RECOGNITION OF THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSAGE OF THE COOK COUNTY WAGE THEFT ORDINANCE
WHEREAS, wage theft remains a persistent issue affecting workers throughout Cook County, depriving employees of their rightfully earned wages and undermining fair labor practices; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Wage Theft Ordinance was passed ten years ago to address wage theft and strengthen enforcement mechanisms to protect workers from exploitative labor practices; and
WHEREAS, the 10th anniversary of the passage of the Cook County Wage Theft Ordinance presents an important opportunity to review its effectiveness and identify areas for improvement; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Board of Commissioners seeks to ensure that the ordinance continues to serve as a strong safeguard for workers and remains an effective tool for combating wage theft; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing will provide a forum for relevant stakeholders, including the Cook County Department of Human Rights and Ethics, the Chief Procurement Officer, the Director of Revenue, the Cook County Assessor, a representative from the Department of Planning and Development, and worker center organizations, to present data where applicable, share experiences, and/or propose recommendations to strengthen protections against wage theft; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners hereby calls for a public hearing in a joint committee meeting of the Labor Committee and Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee in recognition of the 10th anniversary of the passage of the Cook County Wage Theft Ordinance; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the hearing shall include testimony from the Cook County Department of Human Rights and Ethics, the Chief Procurement Officer, the Director of Revenue, the Cook County Assessor, a representative from the Department of Planning and Development, regarding the enforcement of the ordinance over the past decade; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that worker center organizations and other relevant advocacy groups shall be invited to testify regarding ongoing wage theft violations and challenges faced by workers throughout Cook County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners shall consider any such recommendations offered to amend or further strengthen the ordinance to ensure continued protections for workers against wage theft; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that suitable copies of this resolution be distributed to the Cook County Department of Human Rights and Ethics and all relevant stakeholders to facilitate participation in the hearing and further the cause of workers' rights in Cook County.
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