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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
ITEM 20-2195 PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE
EXTENDING THE MARCH 10, 2020 PROCLAMATION OF DISASTER FOR COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS THROUGH MAY 31, 2020
SPONSORED BY: TONI PRECKWINKLE, PRESIDENT COOK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, JOHN DALEY AND LARRY SUFFREDIN, COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
WHEREAS, COVID-19 is a novel severe acute respiratory illness that can spread among people through respiratory transmissions and present with symptoms similar to those of influenza; and
WHEREAS, the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services declared that COVID-19 presents a public health emergency on January 27, 2020, and the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on January 30, 2020; and
WHEREAS, certain populations are at higher risk of experiencing more severe illness as a result of COVID-19, including older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Department of Public Health and the Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security continue to work closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the State and local public health agencies as we closely monitor and work to prevent the spread of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, Cook County is continuing its efforts to prepare for any eventuality given that this is a novel illness with known health risks it poses for the elderly and those with serious chronic medical conditions; and
WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020 there were 11 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Cook County with an additional 260 persons under investigation in Illinois; and
WHEREAS, one of the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Cook County has not been linked to any travel activity or to an already-confirmed COVID-19 case, which indicates community transmission in Illinois; and
WHEREAS, a vaccine or drug is currently not available for COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation giving the state access to state money and possibly federal reimbursement for the costs of fighting the potentially deadly illness; and
WHEREAS, County Board President Toni Preckwinkle joined Governor JB Pritzker on March 9, 2020 along with representatives from the city of Chicago and DuPage County to announce that Cook County is joining the state and city to issue emergency proclamations in response to COVID-19 which will permit Cook County to access federal funds as well as other resources, and enhance our ability to respond to this virus; and
WHEREAS, based on the foregoing, on March 10, 2020, County Board President Toni Preckwinkle found that the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 constitute a public health emergency under the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act and a disaster under the Cook County Code of Ordinances Sec. 26-36 and issued a issued a proclamation of disaster for Cook County; and
WHEREAS, while Cook County is presently responding to this situation, it is deemed necessary to activate Cook County’s emergency operations plan by proclaiming that a disaster exists within Cook County, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, this proclamation of disaster will assist the Cook County, by and through its Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security, to coordinate county and municipal resources and response activities, in an effort to prevent and reduce further damage and hazards, protect the health and safety of persons, protect property and provide emergency assistance pursuant to Illinois law; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, 20 ILCS 3305/11, President Preckwinkle’s March 10, 2020 Proclamation of Disaster shall not be continued or renewed for a period in excess of seven days except by or with the consent of the Cook County Board of Commissioners; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of Cook County to be prepared to address any disasters and, therefore, it is necessary and appropriate to make additional Cook County resources available in accordance with Sec. 26-39 of the Cook County Code of Ordinances for the near future to ensure that the effects of COVID-19 are mitigated and minimized and that residents and visitors in Cook County remain safe and secure.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, pursuant to the Cook County Code of Ordinances, Sections 26-36 and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, 20 ILCS 3305/11, the President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners authorize the March 10, 2020 Proclamation of Disaster (a copy of which is attached hereto) be extended through May 31, 2020 unless otherwise extended by the Cook County Board of Commissioners; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Cook County continue to engage its federal, State and local partners to make resources available to the residents and businesses in Cook County impacted by this national emergency and make additional Cook County resources available through May 31, 2020 in accordance with Chapter 26. Emergency Management and Services, Article II. Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security, Sec. 26-31 through 26-43 of the Cook County Code of Ordinances to ensure that the effects of COVID-19 are mitigated and minimized and that residents and visitors in Cook County remain safe and secure; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Cook County, by and through its Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security, shall continue to coordinate county and municipal resources and response activities as authorized under Chapter 26. Emergency Management and Services, Article II. Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security, Sec. 26-31 through 26-43 of the Cook County Code of Ordinances during the extended Cook County Proclamation of Disaster in an effort to prevent and reduce further damage and hazards, protect the health and safety of persons, protect property and provide emergency assistance pursuant to Illinois law; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that extending the proclamation will enhance the County’s ability to access the resources, equipment and personnel needed to address ongoing and changing circumstances on the ground which is particularly necessary should the number of COVID-19 cases rise and the demands on County staff and partners continue to increase; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that should the Board of Commissioners or Finance Committee be unable to meet in the months of March or April, 2020, that the President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners issue any necessary Executive Orders to provide for the continuity of government to the extent possible, including addressing authorizations that may usually require the advance approval of the County Board; institute any such closures that may be necessary and implement any rules or regulation that may benefit the Cook County workforce and residents of Cook County during this Proclamation of Disaster; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, a copy of this Resolution extending Cook County Board President’s March 10, 2020 Proclamation of Disaster through May 31, 2020 shall be filed with the Clerk of Cook County, Illinois.
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