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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
EXTENDING COOK COUNTY’S PROCLAMATION OF DISASTER FOR COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2021
WHEREAS, COVID-19 is a novel severe acute respiratory illness that can spread among people through respiratory transmissions and present with symptoms similar to those of influenza; and
WHEREAS, the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services declared that COVID-19 presents a public health emergency on January 27, 2020, and the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on January 30, 2020; and
WHEREAS, certain populations are at higher risk of experiencing more severe illness as a result of COVID-19, including older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Department of Public Health and the Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security continue to work closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the State and local public health agencies as we closely monitor and work to prevent the spread of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, Cook County is continuing its efforts to prepare for any eventuality given that this is a novel illness with known health risks it poses for the elderly and those with serious chronic medical conditions; and
WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation giving the state access to state money and possibly federal reimbursement for the costs of fighting the potentially deadly illness; and
WHEREAS, County Board President Toni Preckwinkle joined Governor JB Pritzker on March 9, 2020 along with representatives from the city of Chicago and DuPage County to announce that Cook County is joining the state and city to issue emergency proclamations in response to COVID-19 which will permit Cook County to access federal funds as well as other resources, and enhance our ability to respond to this virus; and
WHEREAS, based on the foregoing, on March 10, 2020, County Board President Toni Preckwinkle found that the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 constitute a public health emergency under the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act and a disaster under the Cook County Code of Ordinances Sec. 26-36 and issued a issued a proclamation of disaster for Cook County activating Cook County’s emergency operations plan; and
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, the Cook County Board of Commissioners passed Resolution 20-2195 which extended the County’s disaster proclamation through May 31, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on May 21, 2929, the Cook County Board of Commissioners passed Resolution 20-2472 which extended the County’s disaster proclamation through September 30, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on September 24, 2020, the Cook County Board of Commissioners passed Resolution 20-4302 which extended the County’s disaster proclamation through December 31, 2020;
WHEREAS, extending the proclamation of disaster through January 31, 2021 will assist Cook County, by and through its Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security, to continue to coordinate county, public health and municipal resources and response activities, in an effort to prevent and reduce further damage and hazards, protect the health and safety of persons, protect property and provide emergency assistance pursuant to Illinois law; and
WHEREAS, extending the proclamation of disaster through January 31, 2021 will also assist Cook County, by and through its Bureau of Finance to continue to coordinate and distribute the County’s CARES Act funds in an effort to reimburse costs, prevent and reduce further damage and hazards, protect the health and safety of persons, protect property and provide emergency assistance pursuant to Illinois law; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of Cook County to be prepared to address any disasters and, therefore, it is necessary and appropriate to make additional Cook County resources available in accordance with Sec. 26-39 of the Cook County Code of Ordinances for the near future to ensure that the effects of COVID-19 are mitigated and minimized and that residents and visitors in Cook County remain safe and secure.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, pursuant to the Cook County Code of Ordinances, Sections 26-36 and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, 20 ILCS 3305/11, the President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners authorize the March 10, 2020 Proclamation of Disaster issued by President Preckwinkle that was previously extended to be extended through January 31, 2021; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Cook County continues to engage its federal, State and local partners to make resources available to the residents and businesses in Cook County impacted by this national emergency and make additional Cook County resources available through January 31, 2021 in accordance with Chapter 26. Emergency Management and Services, Article II. Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security, Sec. 26-31 through 26-43 of the Cook County Code of Ordinances to ensure that the effects of COVID-19 are mitigated and minimized and that residents and visitors in Cook County remain safe and secure; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Cook County, by and through its Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security, shall continue to coordinate county and municipal resources and response activities as authorized under Chapter 26. Emergency Management and Services, Article II. Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security, Sec. 26-31 through 26-43 of the Cook County Code of Ordinances during the extended Cook County Proclamation of Disaster in an effort to prevent and reduce further damage and hazards, protect the health and safety of persons, protect property and provide emergency assistance pursuant to Illinois law; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that extending the proclamation will enhance the County’s ability to access the resources, equipment and personnel needed to address ongoing and changing circumstances on the ground which is particularly necessary should the number of COVID-19 cases rise and the demands on County staff and partners continue to increase; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, a copy of this Resolution extending Cook County’s Proclamation of Disaster through January 31, 2021 shall be filed with the Clerk of Cook County, Illinois.
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