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PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE TO FILE 20-3460
(Rules and Administration Committee 12/16/2020)
Sponsored by: STANLEY MOORE, DENNIS DEER, ALMA E. ANAYA, LUIS ARROYO JR, SCOTT
R. BRITTON, JOHN P. DALEY, BRIDGET DEGNEN, BRANDON JOHNSON, BILL LOWRY, KEVIN B. MORRISON, DEBORAH SIMS, LARRY SUFFREDIN, DONNA MILLER, AND FRANK J. AGUILAR, Cook County Board of Commissioners
PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
JUNETEENTH RECOGNIZED AS A COOK COUNTY HOLIDAY
WHEREAS, On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation; and
WHEREAS, The Emancipation Proclamation established that all enslaved people in Confederate states and against the Union shall be set free from slavery; and
WHEREAS, Many slave owners in the state of Texas did not release their slaves; and
WHEREAS, On June 19th, 1865, General Gordan Grainger and his troops made their way to Galveston, Texas after the surrender of General Robert E. Lee on Appomattox, Virginia. Upon General Grainger’s arrival in Texas soil, he issued Generals Order No. 3; and
WHEREAS, This order officially declared the immediate release and freedom of the remainder of slaves located in Texas; and
WHEREAS, Slaves that were forcefully held captive for almost three years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued were finally pronounced freemen; and
WHEREAS, In 1866, freedmen in Texas organized the first of what became the annual celebration of "Jubilee Day" on June 19. In the ensuing decades, Juneteenth commemorations featured music, ethnic cuisines, prayer services, and other activities; and
WHEREAS, The last of the people, that were freed from slavery in Texas, made it a custom to go back to Galveston to celebrate their freedom. These former slaves pioneered and spread the celebration of Juneteenth throughout the entirety of the United States; and
WHEREAS, Although slaves were considered freemen, they continued to receive harsh treatment and were discriminated against by a large population of America; and
WHEREAS, Jim Crow Laws were placed to enforce the racial segregation of African-Americans and were often barred from participating in the celebration of Juneteenth; and
WHEREAS, This led to the eventual purchase of private lands, such as Emancipation Park in Houston, Texas and the Booker T. Washington Park in Mexia, Texas, for individuals to celebrate Juneteenth; and
WHEREAS, June 19, is now officially recognized as a ceremonial holiday in forty-seven of the fifty states, with Texas being the first to declare Juneteenth a state holiday in 1980; and
WHEREAS, Today, the celebration of Juneteenth is stronger than ever before, as it has been fueled by the unfortunate, but extremely impactful deaths of African-Americans, such as George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless more victims; and
WHEREAS, Slavery has had brutal impacts on African-Americans and their families including but not limited to disparities in economics, healthcare, housing, the pursuit of happiness, education, and the social determinants of health; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED, by Cook County, President, and Board of Commissioners shall promote Juneteenth as a day of education partnering with organizations and communities to celebrate contribution of the many African Americans from the past and today whose families were liberated, thereby allowing them to be free today; and
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, by the Cook County Board of Commissioners, that Chapter 44 HUMAN RESOURCES, ARTICLE III. VACATION AND SICK LEAVE, SEC. 44.92 of the Cook County Code is hereby amended as follows:
Sec. 44.92. Designation of Holidays
(a) The following days are hereby declared holidays, either mandatory or optional, except in emergency and for necessary operations, for all salaried County officers and employees in the County offices, departments, or institutions:
(1) New Year’s Eve Day, January 1.
(2) Martin Luther King’s Birthday, Third Monday in January.
(2)(3) Lincoln’s Birthday, February 12. - optional
(3)(4) Washington’s Birthday, Third Monday in February 22.
(5) Good Friday, Last Friday before Easter. Casimir Pulaski's Birthday, First Monday in March.
(6) Memorial Day, Last Monday in May 30. (7) Juneteenth, June 19. - optional
(7)(8) Independence Day, July 4.
(8)(9) Labor Day, First Monday of in September.
(9)(10) Columbus Day, Second Monday in October.12. - optional (10)
(11) Veterans’ Day, November 11.
(11)(12) Thanksgiving Day, The day appointed by the Governor, or by the President of the United States Fourth Thursday in November.
(12)(13) Christmas Day, December 25.
(14) Floating Holiday. - Employees may choose any day, with prior departmental approval, to use as their floating holiday
(b) It is the intent of the County Board that all salaried Cook County employees be granted 11 14 holidays, including a floating holiday, or equivalent paid days off per year. The 13 holidays include a choice of which 3 out of the 4 optional holidays listed above they choose to take.
(c) Should a certain holiday fall on a Saturday, the preceding Friday shall be set as the holiday should a certain holiday fall on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be set as the holiday.
(d) In addition to the above, any other day or part of a days shall be considered a holiday when so designated by the County Board.
Effective date: This ordinance shall be in effect immediately upon adoption.