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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION FOR MIDDLE EASTERN AND NORTH AFRICAN DATA INCLUSION
WHEREAS, Cook County is one of the largest and most racially, ethnically and linguistically diverse counties in the country; and
WHEREAS, Cook County Government is committed to supporting equitable, inclusive and accessible government; and
WHEREAS, Cook County Government must collect accurate data to understand and serve the specific needs of its diverse communities; and
WHEREAS, Cook County recognizes Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) as a minority group; and
WHEREAS, MENA includes over 26 ethnicities speaking many languages; and
WHEREAS, there were approximately 3.5 million MENA Americans in the United States according to the 2020 US Census; and
WHEREAS, Cook County is home to a large, growing and diverse MENA population including one of the largest Assyrian American communities in the country; and
WHEREAS, the United State Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published updated Statistical Policy Directive No. 15 (SPD 15) on March 28, 2024 that included a new race/ethnicity “Middle Eastern and North African” minimum reporting category; and
WHEREAS, Cook County does not comprehensively or consistently collect or present data on MENA Americans; and
WHEREAS, the lack of comprehensive and consistent data on MENA American hinders Cook County’s ability to understand and serve these communities;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that all Cook County Offices Under the President research that include racial and ethnic data collection must include MENA data collection, with ethnicity disaggregation where relevant and available; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all Cook County Office Under the President reports and presentations that include racial and ethnic data, analysis and recommendations, must include MENA data, with disaggregated ethnicity data, when available.
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