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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
DECLARING MAY 2026 AS MONARCH BUTTERFLY MONTH IN COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, the monarch butterfly was selected as the Illinois’ State Insect in 1975, originally suggested by third grade classes in Decatur; and
WHEREAS, in 2015 Illinois declared the monarch the Species of Greatest Conservation Need, with the Midwest Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (MAFWA) beginning a 20-year plan for monarch conservation in Illinois; and
WHEREAS, since the 1990s, migratory monarch populations have declined by more than 80%, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Center for Biological Diversity; and
WHEREAS, Cook County and Illinois play a vital role in the migration pattern of monarch butterflies; and
WHEREAS, over the past 20 years, the eastern monarch population has faced a significant decline in migratory habitat; and
WHEREAS, this loss of breeding, migratory and overwintering habitats as well as exposure to insecticides and the effects of climate change have left both eastern and western monarch populations decimated; and
WHEREAS, in the Midwest, the decline in monarch population is largely attributed to loss of up to 70% milkweed habitat since 1999; and
WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s most recent monarch Species Status Assessment, by 2080 the probability of extinction for eastern monarchs ranges from 56 to 74% and the probability of extinction for western monarchs is greater than 95%; and
WHEREAS, all life relies on pollinator species, like the monarch, for survival as they help pollinate ecosystems that provide food and shelter to countless plants and animals; and
WHEREAS, government, individual, and organization leaders across Illinois have come together to address this important conservation issue; and
WHEREAS, such organizations included the Schaumburg Monarch Initiative and the Illinois Monarch project who work tirelessly to rebuild monarch habitat and plant milkweed across the State and County; and
WHEREAS, the Schaumburg Monarch Initiative was founded by three local residents in the 15th District with a mission to inspire the local community to embrace and participate in the National Wildlife Federation’s efforts to restore Monarch habitat throughout their Midwest breeding grounds including urban and suburban environments for the preservation of the endangered iconic Monarch butterfly; and
WHEREAS, one of these founders, Carol Johnson who has earned the nickname of the Butterfly Lady, was instrumental in the 2018 passage of 5 ILCS 490/13 which designated May as Monarch Month to be observed throughout Illinois as a time to honor the monarch butterfly; and
WHEREAS, also in 2018, the Schaumburg Monarch Initiative worked with the Schaumburg Park District and a team of 60+ volunteers. Monarch rearing cages were built at the Spring Valley Nature Center and trained volunteers began raising monarchs from eggs; and
WHEREAS, in 2019, over 6,000 people attended Schaumburg Monarch Initiative events, and the organization was honored with a Governor’s Hometown Award; and
WHEREAS, it is thanks to efforts, advocacy, and support like this that has helped with the restoration of monarch habitat across the world and right here in Cook County;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioner May 2026 as Monarch Butterfly Month in Cook County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that suitable copies of this resolution are presented to the Schaumburg Monarch Initiative.
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