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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
URGING THE COOK COUNTY PENSION FUND TO DIVEST FROM FOREIGN COMPANIES SEEKING TO BOYCOTT ISRAEL
WHEREAS, on July 23, 2015 Governor Rauner signed Senate Bill 176 into law making Illinois the first state in the country to fight the Boycott, Sanctions, and Divestment Movement against the State of Israel; and
WHEREAS, the Illinois General Assembly unanimously passed the Anti-Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Bill on May 18, 2015; and
WHEREAS, the Illinois Anti-Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions legislation prohibits the investment of state pension dollars in foreign companies that choose to boycott Israel; and
WHEREAS, in the 1970s, the United States Government made it illegal for American companies to boycott Israel and that remains a law today; and
WHEREAS, the United States is a long time strategic partner and ally of Israel; and
WHEREAS, the County of Cook has strong economic, scientific, educational and cultural ties with Israel, which brings jobs and other benefits to the residents of this county; and
WHEREAS, the County Employees' and Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund of Cook County and the Forest Preserve District Employees' Annuity and Benefit Fund of Cook County may have investments in foreign companies linked to the economic boycott and isolation Israel; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners, do hereby urge the County Employees' and Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund of Cook County and the Forest Preserve District Employees' Annuity and Benefit Fund of Cook County to conduct an audit of its investments to identify any companies engaged in the economic boycott of Israel and to fully divest from such foreign companies.
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