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PROPOSED ORDINANCE SUBSTITUTE to File 19-3082
PROPOSED ORDINANCE SUBSTITUTE
ESTABLISHING THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION OF COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, Cook County Government and the Forest Preserves of Cook County commit herein to combat global warming, which according to National Aeronautics and Space Administration (“NASA”) has resulted in detrimental impacts to the Midwest including extreme heat, heavy downpours and flooding affecting infrastructure, health, agriculture, forestry, transportation, air and water quality, and exacerbating risks to the Great Lakes. How Climate is Changing, NASA: Global Climate Change, Vital Signs of The Planet (April 12, 2019), https://climate.nasa.gov/effects/. Global warming is expected to depress economic development, while decreasing gross domestic product per capita 23% lower by 2100 and widening income inequality. Marshall Burke, et al., Global non-linear effect of temperature on economic production, 527 Nature Int’l J. Sci. 235 (2015).
BE IT ORDAINED, by the Cook County Board of Commissioners that Chapter 2. Administration Article VI, Boards, Commissions and Committees, Division 6. Environmental Commission, Section 2-550 - 2-570 is hereby enacted as follows:
Sec. 2-550. Short Title
This Division shall be known and may be cited as the Cook County Environmental Commission (Commission).
Sec. 2-551. Purpose
There is hereby created an Environmental Commission to serve the following purpose:
a) Ensure Cook County is a leader in combating global warming.
b) Create a working group of environmental professionals from Cook County’s public and private sectors working together to devise and implement initiatives to combat global warming.
c) Promote sustainable legislation and policy aimed at reducing the carbon footprint within the geographic borders of Cook County.
d) Serve as a model for other governments by proactively combatting climate change with innovative and practical environmental initiatives.
Sec. 2-552. Cook County Commission on Environmental Sustainability Membership
a) The Commission will be composed of nine (9) members including the original sponsor of this bill, who shall serve as Chair. The Chair shall be responsible for designating a successor if she ceases to serve as a Commissioner.
b) Six (6) members shall be appointed by the Chair. These members shall represent the following:
1) One (1) member of the Commission shall be a representative from the north triad of Cook County.
2) One (1) member of the Commission shall be a representative from the south triad of Cook County.
3) One (1) member of the Commission shall be a representative from a not-for-profit.
4) One (1) member of the Commission shall be a corporate stakeholder with experience working on environmental initiatives.
5) One (1) member of the Commission shall be a representative from higher education or academia.
6) One (1) member of the Commission shall have a background in environmental economics.
c) The President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners shall appoint one (1) member of the Commission. This person shall serve as the Vice Chair of the Commission.
d) The Mayor’s Office of the City of Chicago shall appoint (1) member of the Commission.
e) All appointments shall be confirmed by the Cook County Board.
Sec. 2-553. Term and Vacancies
a) Each member shall serve two-year terms.
b) The Chair shall serve for the duration of her term as a Cook County Commissioner. The Chair may serve consecutive terms.
c) Commission members may be reappointed for consecutive terms.
d) Vacancies on the Commission shall be filled in the same manner that original appointments were made and shall be filled for the unexpired term of the member whose appointment has become vacant.
Sec. 2-554. Qualifications of Members
a) All members shall have like-minded goals stated in the Purpose section of this Division.
b) All members shall have subject matter knowledge, experience and/or education in environmental sustainability matters.
Sec. 2-555. Meetings
a) This Commission shall hold a meeting at least once every even numbered month, and meetings shall commence the second even numbered month following creation of the Commission.
b) Meeting dates shall be set for the following year, in December of the preceding year.
c) Should a member of the Commission miss three consecutive meetings, the Commission may choose to remove the member, and the original appointing member shall appoint a new member pursuant to Sec. 30-976 (c).
d) This Commission shall be subject to the Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120/1 et. seq, and the Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140/1 et. seq.
Sec. 2-556. Powers, Duties, and Responsibilities.
a) The Commission shall serve as a working Commission and in an advisory role to the Cook County Board on matters relating to environmental sustainability, reduction of greenhouse gases and reduction of environmental impacts in Cook County. The Commission shall be responsible for:
(1) Considering environmental impacts on surface water, groundwater, air and land in Cook County and making appropriate recommendations to the Cook County Board, local municipalities and the Chicago City Council to mitigate harmful impacts and promote positive change;
(2) Creating an annual work plan in furtherance of the Commission’s goals and solicit input from stakeholders via its members.
(3) Beginning in January 2020, creating an annual report and presenting it to the Cook County Board via the Environment and Sustainability Committee; and
(4) Collaborating in regional environmental associations and with other local environmental stakeholders.
Sec. 2-557. Division scheduled to be repealed on November 30, 2022
a) Repeal of Division. This Division is repealed on November 30, 2022.
Sec. 2-557 - 2-570. Reserved.
Effective Date: This ordinance shall be in effect immediately upon adoption.
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