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PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
BE IT ORDAINED, by the Cook County Board of Commissioners, that Chapter 2 ADMINISTRATION, ARTICLE VI BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES DIVISION 6 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION, SECTION 2-540 - 2-547 of the Cook County Code is hereby amended as Follows:
Sec. 2-540. Short title.
This Division shall be known and may be cited as the Cook County Environmental Commission (Commission).
Sec. 2-551. Purpose.
There is hereby created an Environmental Commission to serve the following purpose:
(a) Ensure Cook County is a leader in combating global warming.
(b) Create a working group of environmental professionals from Cook County's public and private sectors working together to devise and implement initiatives to combat global warming.
(c) Promote sustainable legislation and policy aimed at reducing the carbon footprint within the geographic borders of Cook County.
(d) Serve as a model for other governments by proactively combatting climate change with innovative and practical environmental initiatives.
Sec. 2-542. Cook County Commission on Environmental Sustainability Membership.
(a) The Commission will be composed of nine members including the original sponsor of this bill, who shall serve as Chair. The Chair shall be responsible for designating a successor if she ceases to serve as a Commissioner.
(b) Six members shall be appointed by the Chair. These members shall represent the following:
(1) One member of the Commission shall be a representative from the north triad of Cook County.
(2) One member of the Commission shall be a representative from the south triad of Cook County.
(3) One member of the Commission shall be a representative from a not-for-profit.
(4) One member of the Commission shall be a corporate stakeholder with experience working on environmental initiatives.
(5) One member of the Commission shall be a representative from higher education or academia.
(6) One member of the Commission shall have a background in environmental economics.
(c) The President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners shall appoint one member of the Commission. This person shall serve as the Vice Chair of the Commission.
(d) The Mayor's Office of the City of Chicago shall appoint one member of the Commission.
(e) All appointments shall be confirmed by the Cook County Board.
Sec. 2-543. Term and vacancies.
(a) Each member shall serve two-year terms.
(b) The Chair shall serve for the duration of her term as a Cook County Commissioner. The Chair may serve consecutive terms.
(c) Commission members may be reappointed for consecutive terms.
(d) Vacancies on the Commission shall be filled in the same manner that original appointments were made and shall be filled for the unexpired term of the member whose appointment has become vacant.
Sec. 2-544. Qualifications of members.
(a) All members shall have like-minded goals stated in the Purpose section of this Division.
(b) All members shall have subject matter knowledge, experience and/or education in environmental sustainability matters.
Sec. Sec. 2-545. Meetings.
(a) This Commission shall hold a meeting at least once every even numbered month, and meetings shall commence the second even numbered month following creation of the Commission.
(b) Meeting dates shall be set for the following year, in December of the preceding year.
(c) Should a member of the Commission miss three consecutive meetings, the Commission may choose to remove the member, and the original appointing member shall appoint a new member pursuant to subsection 30-976(c).
(d) This Commission shall be subject to the Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120/1 et seq, and the Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.
Sec. 2-546. Powers, duties, and responsibilities.
(a) The Commission shall serve as a working Commission and in an advisory role to the Cook County Board on matters relating to environmental sustainability, reduction of greenhouse gases and reduction of environmental impacts in Cook County. The Commission shall be responsible for:
(1) Considering environmental impacts on surface water, groundwater, air and land in Cook County and making appropriate recommendations to the Cook County Board, local municipalities and the Chicago City Council to mitigate harmful impacts and promote positive change;
(2) Creating an annual work plan in furtherance of the Commission's goals and solicit input from stakeholders via its members.
(3) Beginning in January 2020, creating an annual report and presenting it to the Cook County Board via the Environment and Sustainability Committee; and
(4) Collaborating in regional environmental associations and with other local environmental stakeholders.
Sec. 2-547. Division scheduled to be repealed on November 30, 2022.
(a)
(b) Repeal of division. This Division is repealed on November 30, 2022 2026.
Effective date: Ordinance shall be in effect immediately upon adoption.
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