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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
PROPOSED RESOLUTION AFFIRMING COOK COUNTY'S SUPPORT FOR COUNTY VENDORS GIVEN THE CURRENT ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
WHEREAS, as the second largest county in the United States, Cook County, Illinois is a vibrant and dynamic economic center for the Midwest and the nation; and
WHEREAS, Cook County represents approximately 48.5% of Illinois' economic activity with 2.5 million jobs and $485.55 billion in annual output; and
WHEREAS, Cook County Government relies on businesses of all sizes and sectors to conduct and manage its day-to-day operations; and
WHEREAS, according to the Cook County Office of the Chief Procurement Officer, the County's procurement operation includes more than 600 active contracts valued at over $4 billion in a wide variety of goods and services; and
WHEREAS, Cook County Government vendors rely on manufacturers and suppliers, both domestic and international to fulfill their contract obligations; and
WHEREAS, the federal government recently imposed a baseline 10% tax on imports from all countries and significantly higher rates for other countries including China, India, and Japan; and
WHEREAS, inflation has caused manufacturers to increase prices on their goods, passing on that cost to vendors; and
WHEREAS, inflation and the uncertainty of tariffs have the potential to cause issues with supply chains that Cook County Government depends on; and
WHEREAS, while major corporations and businesses may be able to absorb high import costs, small vendors may see themselves operating at a small margin or at a loss due to the increased tariffs and high inflation rates; and
WHEREAS, Cook County should consider the impacts of such tariffs and inflationary increases to Cook County Government, our operations, and to the vendors we do business with.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Cook County Board of Commissioners calls on County agencies and departments to monitor supply chain delays and cost impacts to County vendors and Cou...
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