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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE ELIMINATION OF UNNECESSARY DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FROM COUNTY EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
WHEREAS, the Cook County Board of Commissioners is committed to promoting equitable access to employment opportunities across all departments, offices, and agencies under its jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, many Cook County job classifications currently include degree requirements that are not mandated by law nor essential to the performance of job duties; and
WHEREAS, the County recognizes that valuable skills and qualifications come in many forms, including direct experience, military service, apprenticeships, vocational training, certifications, and demonstrated ability-not just degrees; and
WHEREAS, removing non-essential degree requirements is a critical step toward eliminating barriers to employment, expanding opportunity, and ensuring all applicants are judged based on their capabilities and potential; and
WHEREAS, a skills-based approach to hiring better reflects the diverse talents of Cook County's workforce and helps ensure equitable and inclusive hiring practices; and
WHEREAS, Cook County aims to lead by example in embracing fair and inclusive hiring practices across all of its departments, offices, and agencies; and
WHEREAS, based on federally reported data the Cook County Workforce Utilization Analysis chart reflects the broader population of the county community, historically, experience has not served as a barrier to county job seekers; and
WHEREAS, Cook County Offices Under the President only requires degrees where required by law or recognized as industry standards; and
WHEREAS, this resolution's purpose is to memorialize the work that the Cook County Offices Under the President is currently doing in order to present the County as an employer of choice and encourage the other County Agencies to adopt similar practices; and
WHEREAS, to show Cook County as a county of choice, the Board of Commissioners are reque...
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