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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
REQUESTING A HEARING INTO THE POLICIES AND PRACTICES OF THE COUNTY TO PROTECT THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF IMMIGRANTS AND BIPOC RESIDENTS AND VISITORS WITHIN COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, Cook County has always been home to people from many racial and ethnic backgrounds. With over one million immigrants, Cook County has the largest concentration of foreign-born residents in the State of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Cook County has benefitted culturally, socially, and economically from the diversity of its residents; and
WHEREAS, resolution 07-R-240 declared Cook County a Fair and Equal County for Immigrants, ensuring equal access to essential benefits and opportunities; and
WHEREAS, on January 17, 2017, in Item No. 17-0724, Cook County reaffirmed its commitment to being a Fair and Equal Country for all immigrants, refugees, and their families; and committed to energetically oppose any efforts that conflicted with those values or reversed critical protections to immigrants, refugees, and their families; and
WHEREAS, the national political climate over the past four years has produced fear and anxiety among many Cook County residents, particularly among people of color, immigrants, Muslims, Jews, and members of the LGBTQ community; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has also perpetrated xenophobia towards the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Over the course of approximately a year during the pandemic, 3,800 anti-Asian racist incidents such as verbal harassment, shunning, physical assault, and civil rights violations were reported across the country. Out of those incidents, nearly 68% were towards AAPI women; and
WHEREAS, recent events within Cook County have demonstrated that there has been an increase in harassment and violence against diverse communities; and
WHEREAS, Cook County condemns any harassment and/or violence towards any resident and remains committed to: (1) protecting the civil rights of all its residents regardless of race or ethnicity, immigration status, disability/ability, religion, age, gender identity, or sexual orientation; (2) working toward equity and inclusion; and (3) ensuring that all residents of Cook County and visitors feel welcome and safe.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Cook County Legislative and Intergovernmental Relations Committee hold a hearing for County officials to report on current policies and practices, and for input from our residents concerning those policies as well as best practices for protecting the civil rights of our residents and visitors at Cook County.
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