Meeting Name: Board of Commissioners Agenda status: Final
Meeting date/time: 4/10/2025 9:00 AM Minutes status: Final  
Meeting location: Cook County Building, Board Room, 118 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois
Consent Agenda - Issued on 4/4/2025
Published agenda: Agenda Agenda Published minutes: Not available  
Meeting video:  
Attachments: Click to watch live, To comment on an item, click here, Errata Board Agenda 4-10-2025 Consent.pdf, Third Set - Consent Calender.pdf, Second Set - Consent Calender.pdf, PUBLIC SPEAKERS COOK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING (CONSENT) 4-10-2025 - Post Meeting Update
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25-1869 1 National Law Day Resolution 2025Consent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION NATIONAL LAW DAY 2025 RESOLUTION WHEREAS, on July 4, 1776, representatives from thirteen disparate but United States of America declared independence from a tyrannical king and proposed as their motto, “E Pluribus Unum”-or “Out of Many, One”-a phrase symbolizing the unity of a nation founded on the ideals of liberty, equality and justice; and WHEREAS, the drafters of the Constitution, seeking to prevent tyranny by any one group, separated the powers of the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary among three branches of government, ensuring no one faction could rule unchecked; and WHEREAS, throughout our history, the American people have continued to pursue “Out of Many, One,” including with the 14th Amendment granting citizenship to all born or naturalized in the United States and the 15th and 19th Amendments by extending voting rights regardless of race or sex; and WHEREAS, the United States has always consisted of many viewpoints, religions, and experiences, and the trajectory of this country has been to include more voices, thus becoming aapprove as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-1911 1 Earth Month ResolutionConsent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION EARTH MONTH RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970, and is widely recognized as a day to reflect on the importance of the natural world, bringing together communities to support environmental action, and April has come to be known as “Earth Month” by extension; and WHEREAS, under Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s leadership, Sustainable Communities is a pillar of the Cook County Offices Under the President Policy Roadmap Strategic Plan, to support healthy, resilient communities that thrive economically, socially and environmentally by prioritizing efforts that reduce the County’s climate impact, improve the resiliency of communities, reduce pollution and support green infrastructure; and WHEREAS, Cook County works to improve accessibility to green spaces including 70,000 acres supported by the Forest Preserves of Cook County, and the County recognizes the numerous plant and animal species and ecosystems that deserve protection and require responsible stewardship; and WHEREAS, the Department of Environmapprove as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2049 1 NATIONAL THERAPY ANIMAL DAYConsent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION NATIONAL THERAPY ANIMAL DAY WHEREAS, Scientific research shows that interacting with therapy animals can reduce stress, relieve depression, slow heart rate, lower blood pressure and strengthen the immune system; and WHEREAS, therapy animal teams throughout Cook County play an essential role in improving human health and well being through the human-animal bond; and WHEREAS, therapy animal teams interact with a variety of people in our community including veterans, seniors, patients, students and those approaching the end of life; and WHEREAS, these exceptional therapy animals who partner with their human companions bring comfrt and healing to those in need; and WHEREAS, we encourage more pet owners to consider becoming Pet Partners volunteers to help our community by creating greater access to meaningful therapy animal visits. BE IT RESOLVED that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby declare April 30th, 2025, as National Therapy Animal Day, and we encourage the residents of Cook County to celebrate our therapy animals and their approve as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2311 1 PROPOSED RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILDConsent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD WHEREAS, the first years of a child’s life represent the most rapid period of brain development, laying the foundation for future learning; and WHEREAS, there are 353,032 children from birth through age five in Cook County, including 139,520 living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level; and WHEREAS, in Fiscal Year 2024, 42,548 children in Cook County participated in the Child Care Assistance Program; and WHEREAS, participation in high-quality early childhood education and care programs saves taxpayer dollars, enhances family economic stability, and prepares children to succeed in school, earn higher wages, and lead healthier lives; and WHEREAS, young children need access to developmentally appropriate, high-quality early childhood education that is affordable and locally available in their communities; and WHEREAS, access to these programs supports child development and helps parents secure and maintain employment; and WHEREAS, research shows that investing in high-quality early childhood educapprove as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2312 1 PROCLAIMING APRIL 30, 2025, AS “NATIONAL THERAPY ANIMAL DAY” IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOISConsent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING APRIL 30, 2025, AS “NATIONAL THERAPY ANIMAL DAY” IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS WHEREAS, National Therapy Animal Day was created by Pet Partners to celebrate the exceptional therapy animals who partner with their human companions to bring comfort and healing to those in need; and WHEREAS, Pet Partners has designated April 30 as National Therapy Animal Day; and WHEREAS, Pet Partners is the national leader in demonstrating and promoting the benefits of animal assisted therapy, activities, and education; and WHEREAS, there are thousands of Pet Partners therapy animal teams serving in communities across the United States, including in Cook County, and they play an essential role in improving human health and well-being through the human-animal bond; and WHEREAS, Pet Partners therapy animal teams make millions of visits each year to hospitals, nursing homes, schools, libraries, and hospice care settings, assisting a diverse cross section of the community including veterans, seniors, patients, students facing literacy challenges, and those approaapprove as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2161 1 RECOGNIZING BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK AND MINORITY HEALTH MONTH IN COOK COUNTYConsent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK AND MINORITY HEALTH MONTH IN COOK COUNTY WHEREAS, the month of April is National Minority Health Month, a month-long initiative to advance health equity across the country on behalf of all racial and ethnic minorities and highlight the importance of improving their health while reducing health disparities; and WHEREAS, in solidarity with National Minority Health Month, the week of April 11-17 is Black Maternal Health Week in the United States, it is a week of awareness, activism, and community building intended to deepen the national conversation about Black maternal health in the US; amplify community-driven policy, research, and care solutions; center the voices of Black Mamas, women, families, and stakeholders; provide a national platform for Black-led entities and efforts on maternal health, birth and reproductive justice; and enhance community organizing on Black maternal health; and WHEREAS, this year’s theme for Black Maternal Health Week is “Healing Legacies: Strengthening Black Maternal Health Through Colapprove as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2163 1 DESIGNATING APRIL AS STI AWARENESS MONTH AND APRIL 13-19, 2025, AS STI AWARENESS WEEK IN COOK COUNTYConsent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION DESIGNATING APRIL AS STI AWARENESS MONTH AND APRIL 13-19, 2025, AS STI AWARENESS WEEK IN COOK COUNTY WHEREAS, April is designated as National STI Awareness Month; and WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control designates the 2nd week in April as STI Awareness Week with the theme with the theme Talk, Test, Treat, an opportunity to raise awareness about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and how they impact our lives; reduce STI-related stigma, fear, and discrimination; and ensure people have the tools and knowledge for prevention, testing, and treatment; and WHEREAS, anyone who is sexually active can get an STI, so it is important to learn more about them and how to minimize your exposure to STIs and take care of your sexual health; and WHEREAS, according to the CDC, the STI epidemic continues to be widespread, and the 2023 Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Surveillance Report underscores that STIs must be a public health priority as more than 2.4 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were reported in the United States; and Wapprove as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2234 1 RESOLUTION HONORING THE KENWOOD ACADEMY GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM ON THEIR HISTORIC STATE CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORYConsent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION RESOLUTION HONORING THE KENWOOD ACADEMY GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM ON THEIR HISTORIC STATE CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORY WHEREAS, the Kenwood Academy Girls Basketball Team cemented its legacy in the annals of Illinois high school sports by capturing their first-ever Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 4A State Championship with a decisive 65-44 victory over Palatine’s William Fremd on Saturday, March 16, 2025, at Illinois State University’s CEFCU (Redbird) Arena in Bloomington-Normal; and WHEREAS, the Broncos demonstrated an unparalleled level of skill, perseverance, and synergy throughout the 2024-2025 season, culminating in a stellar 35-3 record and solidifying their standing as the premier team in the State; and WHEREAS, under the astute and inspirational leadership of Head Coach Andre Lewis, along with Assistant Coaches Ky Gavin, Adrian McDaniel, Demon Page, Billy Survillion, Kimmey Barksdale, and Beverly Chick, the Kenwood Academy Girls Basketball Team exhibited extraordinary tenacity, fortitude, and discipline, executing a commanding 14-2 fourth quarapprove as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2240 1 RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING THE WALTER H. DYETT HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS BOYS’ BASKETBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE 2025 ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION CLASS 2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIPConsent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING THE WALTER H. DYETT HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS BOYS’ BASKETBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE 2025 ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION CLASS 2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP WHEREAS, the Walter H. Dyett High School for the Arts, a venerable institution located in the heart of the Bronzeville-Washington Park community, achieved an unprecedented milestone in its athletic history by securing the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 2A Boys’ Basketball State Championship on March 15, 2025; and WHEREAS, the Dyett Eagles, under the resolute and visionary leadership of Head Coach Jamaal Gill-who also serves with distinction as the school’s Athletic Director and Head of Security-emerged victorious with a final score of 52-41 over Belleville Althoff Catholic High School at the University of Illinois’ State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois; and WHEREAS, this historic victory represents the school's first-ever state championship in basketball and serves as a crowning achievement to a season marked by perseverance, cohesion, and athletic excellence, capprove as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2075 1 A RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ANNIE PEARL HOWARDConsent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ANNIE PEARL HOWARD WHEREAS, the esteemed Annie Pearl Howard, born on May 6, 1938, in Jackson, Mississippi, graced this world with a presence defined by unwavering love, resilience, and boundless wisdom; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Howard was the beloved daughter of Nina Mae Jones and Johnnie “Buster” Jones, who instilled in her the values of faith, perseverance, and compassion, guiding Mrs. Howard on a journey touching the lives of many; and WHEREAS, from Mrs. Howard’s early years, Annie Pearl embodied the essence of strength and devotion, accepting Christ into her heart and embracing the virtues of kindness and service; and WHEREAS, after receiving her foundational education at Martin Elementary School and later attending Parker High School, Mrs. Howard exemplified the highest standard of commitment to her family, pausing her studies to return to Jackson, Mississippi, to care for her ailing father while continuing her education at Jim Hill High School; and WHEREAS, life’s path led Mrs. Howard to New Orleans, Loapprove as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2225 1 RECOGNIZING THE WORK OF THE CHICAGO AUTISM NETWORK DURING NATIONAL AUTISM AWARENESS MONTHConsent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE WORK OF THE CHICAGO AUTISM NETWORK DURING NATIONAL AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH WHEREAS, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition that affects communication, behavior, and social interaction, with millions of individuals and families impacted across the country and within Cook County; and WHEREAS, April is recognized globally as Autism Awareness Month, and April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day, both of which promote greater understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of individuals on the autism spectrum; and WHEREAS, the Chicago Autism Network is a nonprofit organization based in Cook County, dedicated to ensuring that all individuals on the autism spectrum-especially those from underserved communities-have access to life-changing therapy and resources; and WHEREAS, since receiving nonprofit status in 2018, the Chicago Autism Network has made significant contributions to families affected by autism through programs such as their monthly free caregiver workshops, a robust online resource hub, and their flagship Therapprove as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2300 1 Second Chance MonthConsent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGING APRIL AS SECOND CHANCE MONTH WHEREAS, beginning in 2017, research institutions, community organizations, local and federal government agencies have recognized April as Second Chance Month; and WHEREAS, Second Chance Month is a time to raise awareness about the challenges faced by individuals returning home from incarceration and promote second chances for these members of our community who have paid their debt to society; and WHEREAS, the United States has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world where, despite being less than 5% of the world's population, the U.S. accounts for approximately 20% of the world’s prison population; and WHEREAS, according to the Prison Policy Institute, nearly 2 million people are incarcerated in federal, state and local prisons and jails across the United States; and WHEREAS, approximately 53,000 Illinois residents are incarcerated in prison or jail; and WHEREAS, stark racial disparities persist in our criminal legal system with Black Americans imprisoned at five times the rate of whiapprove as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-1820 1 HONORING THE 7TH DAY OF APRIL AS LITTLE PALESTINE DAY IN COOK COUNTYConsent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION HONORING THE 7TH DAY OF APRIL AS LITTLE PALESTINE DAY IN COOK COUNTY WHEREAS, April is National Arab American Heritage Month, which celebrates the history, culture, and people and the many contributions Arab Americans have made to our country; and WHEREAS, in recognition of Arab families who migrated to southwest Cook County in the early 20th century, seeking a better life and the opportunity to build a supportive community; these families have contributed to the rich cultural landscape of Little Palestine, transforming it into a beacon of hope and resilience; and WHEREAS, Little Palestine, located in the southwest region of Cook County, is home to the largest Palestinian community in the nation and the 4th largest Arab American population in the country, spanning a five-mile stretch from 79th and Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview to Harlem Avenue and College Drive in Palos Heights; and WHEREAS, Little Palestine features over 200 Arab-owned businesses and community-serving institutions, including a community college, a hospital, three high schools, and oapprove as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2413 1 Honoring Commissioner Quezada for his ServiceConsent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION HONORING ANTHONY JOEL QUEZADA FOR HIS SERVICE AS COMMISSIONER OF COOK COUNTY’S EIGHTH DISTRICT WHEREAS, Anthony Joel Quezada was elected commissioner of Cook County’s 8th district in 2022 and has proudly represented over 300,000 residents across Logan Square, Avondale, Humboldt Park, Irving Park, Hermosa, Belmont Cragin, Portage Park, and Dunning; and WHEREAS, Anthony was the youngest and the first openly gay Latino commissioner to be elected to the Board of Commissioners at 26 years old; and WHEREAS, Anthony is the first commissioner of Costa Rican descent to serve on the Board of Commissioners; and WHEREAS, Anthony is the proud son of immigrant parents from Mexico and Costa Rica, and is a lifelong Chicagoan who was raised on Chicago’s northwest side in Logan Square; and he is a proud alumnus of the Chicago Public Schools system, having attended Goethe Elementary and Lane Tech High School; and WHEREAS, Anthony has been a fierce champion for economic justice and workers’ rights; as vice chair of the Labor Committee, he has had the honor of convapprove as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2409 1 National Rebuilding Day 2025 Consent ResolutionConsent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION NATIONAL REBUILDING DAY 2025 WHEREAS, Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago, a volunteer organization preserving and revitalizing low-income homes and communities, repaired its first home in suburban Cook County in 1992, and has since rehabilitated nearly 1,900 homes, as well as assisted in the development of essential community centers and gardens; and WHEREAS, Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago is an affiliate of Rebuilding Together, a national nonprofit organization, which sponsors National Rebuilding Day across the country on the last Saturday in April; and WHEREAS, every year Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago selects two neighborhoods in Cook County in which to provide home repair for elderly, disabled or low-income individuals; and WHEREAS, more than 3,000 volunteers annually, including Cook County employees, donate their time and talents to plan and complete hundreds of free home repairs for residents in Cook County through Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago’s volunteer teams; and WHEREAS, repairs typically focus on keeping homeowners “warm, safapprove as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2407 1 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF JAMES WARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOLConsent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION CELEBRATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF JAMES WARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHEREAS in 1874, the first section of the Garibaldi Street Primary School was erected at 27th & Garibaldi Street, now known as Shields Avenue. Two additions were later built in 1897 and 1927, and WHEREAS in 1875, the Board of Education renamed the Garibaldi Street Primary School to Ward School, and in 1908, it was again renamed the James Ward School, and WHEREAS the School was named after James Ward who became a member of the Chicago Board of Education and served from 1857 to 1863, and WHEREAS James Ward served as the chairman of the committee on School Buildings and Grounds and, as chairman, he was responsible for the planning and supervision of the construction of schools in Chicago, and WHEREAS on January 9, 2001, ten days shy of leaving office, President Bill Clinton made a stop at James Ward school to celebrate the increase in standardized test scores over the last eight years, symbolizing his commitment to federal funding for improving public education, and WHEREAS the approve as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2408 1 HONORING ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY ON THEIR 80TH ANNIVERSARYConsent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION HONORING ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY ON THEIR 80TH ANNIVERSARY WHEREAS, eighty years ago, Roosevelt University was founded by a visionary leader and 62 courageous faculty members who boldly challenged the exclusionary norms of higher education in 1945. Refusing to conform to discriminatory practices based on race, religion and gender, they declared, “We don’t count that way.” Today, Roosevelt’s legacy of inclusion and progress is more vital than ever; and WHEREAS, 2025 marks Roosevelt’s 80th anniversary. This milestone honors their founders’ trailblazing spirit and celebrates the things that make them uniquely Roosevelt; and WHEREAS, Roosevelt University’s namesakes are President Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt; and WHEREAS, Roosevelt currently serves 4,281 students across four colleges and two campuses in downtown Chicago and suburban Schaumburg: the Chicago College of Performing Arts; the College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences; the College of Science, Health and Pharmacy; and the Heller College of Business; and WHEapprove as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2410 1 HONORING SANDRA TOMSCHIN ON RECEIVING THE 16th DISTRICT'S 2025 PEGGY A. MONTES UNSUNG HEROINE AWARDConsent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION HONORING SANDRA TOMSCHIN ON RECEIVING THE 16th DISTRICT'S 2025 PEGGY A. MONTES UNSUNG HEROINE AWARD WHEREAS, Sandra Tomschin was born in Texas and moved to Cook County at two years old. She grew up in Pilsen and then moved to Cicero in the 1980s; and WHEREAS, Sandra has lived a life of service her entire life, living by the motto, "If I can help, I will, if I'm not sure, I'll try"; and WHEREAS, Sandra began her public service in the Chicago Public School system, working in early childhood education, and advocating for the city's most underserved communities; and WHEREAS, seeing the effect she had on children and families only spurred Sandra’s desire to continue to serve. Sandra opened the Town of Cicero Community Center as Deputy Director and developed programming for Cicero's youth; and WHEREAS, Sandra also serves her community as a current elected Board Member for JS Morton High School District 201, where she fights for funding the arts to ensure students receive a well-balanced education; and WHEREAS, Sandra does not stop her service with tapprove as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2401 1 RECOGNIZING APRIL 30, 2025, AS DÍA DE LOS NIÑOS (CHILDREN'S DAYConsent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING APRIL 30, 2025, AS DÍA DE LOS NIÑOS (CHILDREN'S DAY) WHEREAS, Children's Day has been celebrated annually in México since 1925; and WHEREAS, this celebration had its origins during Álvaro Obregón's presidential period after the country joined the Geneva Conventions and looked after the wellness of the vulnerable children affected by World War I; and WHEREAS, the United Nations suggested in 1959 that countries adopt a National Children's Day in honor of the Children's Rights Declaration of 1959; and WHEREAS, children are our future and are owed inalienable rights. It is the responsibility of society to ensure their rights are met & protections; and WHEREAS, children are citizens of the world who need emotional and physical stability and should not be separated from their parents and family; and WHEREAS, children have the right to an education, to enjoy a social life, and to build their futures; and WHEREAS, children have the right to food so that they will not suffer from malnutrition and die from hunger; and WHEREAS, childrenapprove as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2402 1 CONGRATULATING GUNSAULUS SCHOLASTIC ACADEMY (GSA) ON ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARYConsent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING GUNSAULUS SCHOLASTIC ACADEMY (GSA) ON ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY WHEREAS, Gunsaulus Scholastic Academy (GSA), named after Frank W. Gunsaulus, opened in 1924; and WHEREAS, GSA is located in Brighton Park near Kedzie and Archer Avenues; and WHEREAS, Gunsaulus, formerly called Gunsaulus Public School, transformed into a scholastic academy in 1982; and WHEREAS, GSA is dedicated to fostering a community of passionate, loving, and respectful lifelong learners and leaders who empower themselves as global citizens; and WHEREAS, in 2002, GSA received the School of Excellence Award honoring the contributions to Chicago Education; and WHEREAS, as a Scholastic Academy, GSA is a magnet school that offers an enriching experience for students in grades Pre-k-8th; and WHEREAS, GSA fosters a community school that addresses the academic and family needs of its students socio-emotionally; and WHEREAS, GSA offers a curricular program that targets students' individual needs and pushes critical thinking; and WHEREAS, GSA ensures students have acapprove as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2403 1 RECOGNIZING APRIL AS NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH AND APRIL 30, 2025, AS "DENIM DAY"Consent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING APRIL AS NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH AND APRIL 30, 2025, AS "DENIM DAY" WHEREAS, April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month; and WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over half of women and nearly 1 in 3 men in the U.S. have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetimes; and WHEREAS, more than 4 in 5 female rape survivors reported being first raped before age 25, with almost half being first raped as minors; and WHEREAS, the CDC states that 47% of transgender individuals experience sexual violence; and WHEREAS, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) reports that, on average, there are 433,648 victims of rape and sexual assault each year in the United States; and WHEREAS, RAINN data indicates that every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted, and every 9 minutes, that victim is a child; and WHEREAS, RAINN states that only 310 out of every 1,000 rapes are reported, only 50 of every 1,000 rapes lead to arrest, and onlyapprove as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2404 1 COMMEMORATING MAY 1ST AS INTERNATIONAL WORKERS' DAY, ALSO KNOWN AS "MAY DAY"Consent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING MAY 1ST AS INTERNATIONAL WORKERS' DAY, ALSO KNOWN AS "MAY DAY" WHEREAS, every year, May 1st is International Workers' Day, also known as "May Day", which commemorates the historic struggles and gains by the labor movement; and WHEREAS, May Day's origin came from the Haymarket Affair of 1886, where a violent confrontation took place in Chicago, where workers were striking for an eight-hour workday; and WHEREAS, an unknown assailant threw a bomb into the crowd at the rally, killing one police officer, and resulting in a violent confrontation which left six officers and several workers dead; and WHEREAS, labor activists, socialists, and anarchists were blamed for the "incident," and eight men were arrested and wrongfully convicted; and WHEREAS, out of the eight convicted, four were executed in a grave act of injustice, one was found dead in his cell, and three were pardoned on June 26, 1893, by Illinois Governor John P. Altgeld; and WHEREAS, each May Day, millions of workers around the world take to the streets to continue the strugapprove as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2358 1 ARAB AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTHConsent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION CELEBRATING ARAB AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH IN COOK COUNTY WHEREAS, April is National Arab American Heritage Month, celebrating the the history, culture, and achievements of Arab Americans in our country; and WHEREAS, Arab Americans have richly diverse backgrounds and faiths, dynamic traditions, cutting edge innovation, and a devotion to community and country; and WHEREAS, beginning in the 1990s, Arab American heritage was recognized in various states throughout the year; and WHEREAS, in 2017, the Arab America Foundation launched the National Arab American Heritage Month initiative in line with its mission to promote Arab heritage and empower Arab Americans; Educate Americans about the Arab identity and culture, and to connect Arab Americans to each other and to other communities; and WHEREAS, in 2022, the Biden Administration became the first to declare April as National Arab American Heritage Month celebrating their unique heritages, customs, and talents into the tapestry of America; and WHEREAS, notable Arab Americans include Lebaapprove as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2340 1 BARTLETT POLICE CHIEF GEOFFREY PRETKELIS RETIREMENTConsent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION BARTLETT POLICE CHIEF GEOFFREY PRETKELIS RETIREMENT WHEREAS, after proudly serving the Bartlett community for over 28 years, Bartlett Chief of Police Geoffrey Pretkelis has announced his retirement; and WHEREAS, Chief Pretkelis became Chief in 2022 after serving as deputy chief of support services since January 2017; and WHEREAS, Chief Pretkelis previously served as a traffic officer, school resource officer, and public services bureau sergeant; and WHEREAS, as Chief Geoffrey Pretkelis announced his retirement, he also took both the credit and blame for the well-known humor of the Bartlett Police Department’s Facebook posts; and WHEREAS, the Chief noted it was a pleasure to engage humorously with the community using his “love for music, movies, and pop culture”; and WHEREAS, Chief Pretkelis was recognized by the Village of Bartlett board at the April 1stmeeting, with the Chief officially retiring in May; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby congratulate Chief Geoffrey Pretkelis on his many yeapprove as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2348 1 RECOGNIZING SIKH AWARENESS MONTH APRIL 2025Consent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING SIKH AWARENESS MONTH APRIL 2025 WHEREAS, Sikhs have been living in the United States for more than 120 years; and WHEREAS, during the early 20th century thousands of Sikh Americans worked on farms, in lumber mills and mines, and on the Oregon, Pacific & Eastern Railroad; and WHEREAS, Sikhism is the fifth largest religion in the world and today, with than 25 million Sikhs worldwide; and WHEREAS, there is an estimated 500,000 Sikhs in the United States, with more than 25,000 Sikhs in the State of Illinois alone; and WHEREAS, Sikh Americans pursue diverse professions, making rich contributions to the social, cultural, and economic vibrancy of the United States including serving as members of the United States Armed Forces and making significant contributions to our great nation in agriculture, information technology, small businesses, the hotel industry, trucking, medicine, legal services and technology; and WHEREAS, Sikh Americans distinguish themselves by fostering respect among all people through faith and service; approve as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2356 1 RECOGNITION OF INTERNATIONAL TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY 2025Consent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION RECOGNITION OF INTERNATIONAL TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY 2025 WHEREAS, the International Transgender Day of Visibility is recognized every year on March 31st to celebrate the joy and resilience of trans and non-binary people everywhere by elevating voices and experiences from these communities; and WHEREAS, these celebrations, acknowledgements, and remembrances are vital affirmations of the lives of transgender people in our communities as they continue to face extreme institutional discrimination and violence on the basis of their gender identities; and WHEREAS, according to Trans Legislation Tracker, 2024 was the fifth consecutive record-breaking year for total bills considered following the unprecedented surge in 2023, which more than tripled the record set the year before; and WHEREAS, according to Trans Legislation Tracker, since 2021 there have been over 2,416 bills introduced nationwide that target and discriminate against transgender people, in particular transgender youth; and WHEREAS, according to Trans Legislation Tracker, in just 20approve as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2369 1 PRINCIPALS’ APPRECIATION DAY IN COOK COUNTYConsent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION PRINCIPALS’ APPRECIATION DAY IN COOK COUNTY WHEREAS, May 1, is the day of celebration for Principals across the nation; and WHEREAS, school principals play a vital role in shaping the educational landscape and fostering an environment conducive to learning and personal development; and WHEREAS, school principals serve as instructional leaders, ensuring high academic standards, effective teaching practices, and curriculum implementation that meets the diverse needs of students; and WHEREAS, school principals act as community liaisons, bridging the gap between schools, families, and local organizations to create a collaborative and supportive network for student success; and WHEREAS, school principals advocate for equity and inclusion, ensuring that all students-regardless of socio-economic status, race, ethnicity, or ability-have access to quality education and necessary resources; and WHEREAS, school principals foster a positive school culture by promoting student well-being, addressing social-emotional learning, and implementing programs thatapprove as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2383 1 RECOGNIZING SCHOOL PRINCIPALSConsent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AS CHANGE AGENTS IN THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE WHEREAS, school principals play a vital role in shaping the educational landscape and fostering an environment conducive to learning and personal development; and WHEREAS, school principals serve as instructional leaders, ensuring high academic standards, effective teaching practices, and curriculum implementation that meets the diverse needs of students; and WHEREAS, school principals act as community liaisons, bridging the gap between schools, families, and local organizations to create a collaborative and supportive network for student success; and WHEREAS, school principals advocate for equity and inclusion, ensuring that all students-regardless of socio-economic status, race, ethnicity, or ability-have access to quality education and necessary resources; and WHEREAS, school principals foster a positive school culture by promoting student well-being, addressing social-emotional learning, and implementing programs that support mental health and character development; approve as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2349 1 LANGUAGE ACCESS MONTHConsent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION RESOLUTION DECLARING APRIL AS LANGUAGE ACCESS MONTH IN COOK COUNTY WHEREAS, Cook County is one of the largest and most racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse counties in the country; and WHEREAS, Cook County is home to residents speaking over 100 languages; and WHEREAS, Cook County Government is committed to supporting equitable, inclusive, and accessible government; and WHEREAS, ensuring equitable access to essential services and information is fundamental to the principles of inclusivity and justice; and WHEREAS, language barriers can create significant obstacles to residents' ability to access healthcare, legal assistance, social services, public information and other vital resources; and WHEREAS, promoting language access is crucial for fostering civic engagement, empowering communities, and strengthening the social fabric of Cook County; and WHEREAS, Cook County is committed to advancing language access through its policies, programs, and initiatives; and WHEREAS, being a multicultural and multilingual county contributeapprove as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2395 1 ENCOURAGING TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN EMPLOYMENT PRACTICESConsent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES WHEREAS, fundamental to the success of Equal Employment Opportunity programs is creating and maintaining fair and inclusive workforce practices in the workplace; and WHEREAS, to promote equitable hiring practices, all Cook County businesses and nonprofit organizations are encouraged to enhance transparency and accountability in employment practices by internally collecting data and undergoing periodic audits of their hiring pools and hiring outcomes to ensure equal employment opportunities; and WHEREAS, equal employment opportunity and affirmative action plan reporting to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for large businesses and nonprofit organizations provide valuable workforce insights; and WHEREAS, large and small businesses as well as nonprofit organizations should be encouraged to perform annual audits of the organization’s hiring placement and pay practices and assess their outreach and recruitment programs for all members of their workforce; and approve as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2396 1 Evanston Police Chief Schenita StewarConsent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION HONORING EVANSTON POLICE CHIEF SCHENITA STEWART NAMED THE ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (ILACP) POLICE CHIEF OF THE YEAR WHEREAS, the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP) selected Evanston Police Department Chief Schenita Stewart as the 2025 ILACP Police Chief of the Year; and WHEREAS, Chief Stewart grew up in the City of Evanston’s 5th ward neighborhood with her twin sister Schonella Stewart, who serves as the commander of the Oak Park Police Department, where their lives revolved around their home at 1924 Wesley Ave and other nearby neighborhood locations including the Fleetwood Jourdain Center, Family Focus, and Mt. Zion Baptist Church; and WHEREAS, The Stewart sisters attended Gale School on Howard Street and then attended Evanston Township High School (ETHS); and WHEREAS, after graduating from ETHS, Chief Stewart earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminology from Illinois State University and her Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Chicago State University; and WHEREAS, Chief Stewart has been in law enforcement for moapprove as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2421 1 HONORING THE WORK AND DEDICATION OF LINDA XÓCHITL TORTOLERO AT MUJERES LATINAS EN ACCIÓN (MLEA)Consent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION HONORING THE WORK AND DEDICATION OF LINDA XÓCHITL TORTOLERO AT MUJERES LATINAS EN ACCIÓN (MLEA) WHEREAS, Linda Xóchitl Tortolero is a proud Chicagoan and first-generation Mexican American; and WHEREAS, Linda Xóchitl Tortolero received her High School diploma from the Latin School of Chicago in 1996 and attended la Fundación Universidad de las Américas Puebla from 1998-1999; and WHEREAS, Linda Xóchitl Tortolero holds a B.A. from Brown University and a J.D. from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law; and WHEREAS, Linda Xóchitl Tortolero developed a passion for her community and helping others, which led her to become a Development Manager for Mujeres Latinas en Acción (MLEA) in 2007; and WHEREAS, MLEA is a bilingual/bicultural agency that empowers Latinas by providing services that reflect their values and culture and advocates on the issues that make a difference in their lives; and WHEREAS, in MLEA, Linda Xóchitl Tortolero met with funders, led site visits, and made presentations for general and project-specific programming support; and WHERapprove as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available
25-2412 1 THE CHaRM CENTER OF SOUTH SUBURBAN COLLEGEConsent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE THE CHaRM CENTER OF SOUTH SUBURBAN COLLEGE WHEREAS, Suburban Cook County encompasses 134 municipalities with a combined population of 2.5 million; and WHEREAS, Suburban Cook County residents, businesses and public facilities generate approximately three million tons of waste and household hazardous waste (HHW)annually; and WHEREAS, HHW materials pose serious health and safety concerns and environmental damage; and WHEREAS, there are no HHW facilities conveniently located for residents of the south suburbs, the closest facilities being over 20 miles away; and WHEREAS, a joint venture between Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability and South Suburban College developed the Recycling, Composting and Circular Economy Solutions (RCCES)initiative: and WHEREAS, the RCCES initiative was created to implement reduction, reassembly, remanufacture, repair, reuse, repurpose, and recycle waste; and WHEREAS, on April 22, 2023, the RCCES initiative opened the Center for?Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM). approve as amended in the errataPass Action details Not available