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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
DECLARING GUN VIOLENCE AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS
WHEREAS, Public Health Awareness raises awareness of the relationship between the health of individuals and the health of their communities; and
WHEREAS, there has been an increase in gun related violence in Cook County compared to the decrease in numbers over the past five years; and
WHEREAS, The City of Chicago has seen a sharp increase in gun violence in 2020 compared to previous years. In 2020 3,893 shootings were reported, compared to just 2,536 in 2019; and
WHEREAS, As of April 1, 2021, 703 people have been injured by a gun shot in Chicago, IL surpassing the total 2020 number by 183 cases; and
WHEREAS, The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed 875 gun-related homicides in 2020, breaking the previous record of 838 set in 1994 and;
WHEREAS, The Medical Examiner's office handled 970 homicides in 2020. Which was a more than 40 percent increase over 2019's total of 675; and
WHEREAS, African Americans were the victims of 78 percent of homicides and Latinos accounted for more than 16 percent of homicide deaths. Eighty-nine percent of homicide deaths were male. Seventy homicide deaths were under 18; 22 were under the age of 10. The majority (722) of homicides were in the City of Chicago. The last time Cook County saw more than 970 homicides was in 1996; and
WHEREAS, Cook County Health provides care for over 1,100 patients with gunshot wounds every year through Stroger Hospital, accounting for 20% of the patients that get treatment through the Comprehensive Trauma Unit. Costing the health systems anywhere between 30-40 million dollars a year; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Cook County will: Led by the Cook County Board President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners (County Board), in collaboration with the Cook County Sheriff's Department and other relevant parties; Assert gun violence as a public health crisis affecting our entire society; Assess internal po...
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