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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
ANIMAL AND RABIES CONTROL TO WAIVE THE RABIES VACCINATION FEE FOR COOK COUNTY VETERANS AND RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
WHEREAS, the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control, established in 1954, plays a critical role in protecting public health by preventing the transmission of rabies through vaccination, registration, education, legislation and surveillance; and
WHEREAS, rabies vaccinations are required by law, and it is imperative to vaccinate, as rabies is almost always fatal; and
WHEREAS, each year, the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control traverses the County providing rabies vaccinations to approximately 4,000 animals at a reduced cost to Cook County residents, and all animals receiving rabies vaccinations are issued tags as proof of vaccination and as a form of identification; and
WHEREAS, some of the animals vaccinated by the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control at its rabies clinics may be service animals, recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act; and
WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, many persons with disabilities rely on a service animal to fully participate in every-day life; and
WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 20% of all veterans have a service-connected disability; and
WHEREAS, per the Illinois Secretary of State’s office, among Cook County’s 5.211 million residents, there are 39,809 persons with disabilities including: 17,817 persons with physical disabilities; 5,655 persons with developmental disabilities; 1,658 persons with visual disabilities; 703 persons with hearing disabilities; 13,976 persons with mental disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Cook County residents with disabilities, including veterans, may obtain an Illinois Disability Identification Card from the Illinois Secretary of State to serve as proof of disability when such proof is necessary to access services, programs or activities; and
WHEREAS, having a disability may be costly, with wide-ranging direct costs, including but not limited to, additional out of pocket costs required for health services, medication, help with daily activities, disability-specific aid; and, indirect costs, including but not limited to, lower workforce participation by individuals with disabilities and their primary caregiver(s); and
WHEREAS, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, disability-associated health expenditures accounting for 26.7% of all health care expenditures for adults residing in the United States and totaling $397.8 billion in 2006; and
WHEREAS, some disability-associated health expenditures are covered by insurance, not everyone has insurance and insurance does not cover all disabilities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby direct the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control to waive the rabies vaccination fee of one animal for each Cook County Veteran and resident with a disability who presents their Illinois Disability Identification Card at its upcoming rabies clinics in fiscal year 2019; moreover, registered not-for-profits shall have rabies vaccination fees waived for each animal provided to veterans with trained service animals; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the text of this Resolution be spread across the journal of proceedings of this honorable body and that a suitable copy hereof be presented to any not-for-profit organizations serving persons with disabilities in Cook County upon request.
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