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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION HONORING CHICAGO MAGAZINE’S 2017 CHICAGOANS OF THE YEAR: ATTORNEYS WHO VOLUNTEERED AT O’HARE AIRPORT TO ASSIST TRAVELERS DURING THE FEDERAL TRAVEL BAN
WHEREAS, On Monday, December 4, 2017, the United States Supreme Court fully reinstated the third version of the federal travel ban; and,
WHEREAS, This travel ban goes against Cook County’s values as a Sanctuary County and the City of Chicago’s values as a Sanctuary City; and,
WHEREAS, When news first broke in January 2017 that travelers from seven majority-Muslim countries were banned from entering the United States, Chicago’s legal community immediately took action; and,
WHEREAS, Over 300 local attorneys volunteered their expertise to help affected passengers coming into O’Hare, and Chicago Magazine recently named them as 2017 Chicagoans of the Year; and,
WHEREAS, four Chicago attorneys were recognized for helping lead organizing efforts during the first travel ban, ensuring that a handful of attorneys, out of a pool of more than 300 active volunteers, would be on hand around the clock in the first four months following the ban; and,
WHEREAS; Sufyan Sohel, Deputy Director at the Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Jamie Friedland of Latham & Watkins, Iman Boundaoui of Drinker Biddle and Reath, and Matt Pryor, who works with Cook County on federal anti-discrimination compliance, -lead the organizing efforts; and,
WHEREAS, these attorneys continue to oversee the volunteer efforts - via the Travelers Assistance Project - to provide services and support for travelers, and their loved ones, affected by the various versions of the travel bans.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners recognizes these Chicagoans of the year and good work by Chicago’s legal community in standing up for the City’s and County’s values.
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