Chicago City Wire

Cook County Board of Commissioners met March 10.

Here is the agenda provided by the board:

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Pursuant to Cook County Code of Ordinances, public testimony will be permitted at regular and special meetings of the Board. Duly authorized public speakers shall be called upon at this time to deliver testimony germane to a specific item(s) on the meeting agenda, and the testimony must not exceed three (3) minutes. The names of duly authorized speakers shall be published in the Post Board Action Agenda and Journal of Proceedings as prepared by the Clerk of the Board.

PRESIDENT

20-2195

Sponsored by: TONI PRECKWINKLE (President), Cook County Board of Commissioners PROPOSED RESOLUTION

EXTENDING THE MARCH 10, 2020 PROCLAMATION OF DISASTER FOR COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS THROUGH MAY 31, 2020

WHEREAS, COVID-19is a novel severe acute respiratory illness that can spread among people through respiratory transmissions and present with symptoms similar to those of influenza; and

WHEREAS, the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services declared that COVID-19 presents a public health emergency on January 27, 2020, and the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on January 30, 2020; and

WHEREAS, certain populations are at higher risk of experiencing more severe illness as a result of COVID-19, including older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease; and

WHEREAS, the Cook County Department of Public Health and the Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security continue to work closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the State and local public health agencies as we closely monitor and work to prevent the spread of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, Cook County is continuing its efforts to prepare for any eventuality given that this is a novel illness with known health risks it poses for the elderly and those with serious chronic medical conditions; and

WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020 there were 11 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Cook County with an additional 260 persons under investigation in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, one of the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Cook County has not been linked to any travel activity or to an already-confirmed COVID-19case, which indicates community transmission in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, a vaccine or drug is currently not available for COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation giving the state access to state money and possibly federal reimbursement for the costs of fighting the potentially deadly illness; and

WHEREAS, County Board President Toni Preckwinkle joined Governor JB Pritzker on March 9, 2020 along with representatives from the city of Chicago and DuPage County to announce that Cook County is joining the state and city to issue emergency proclamations in response to COVID-19which will permit Cook County to access federal funds as well as other resources, and enhance our ability to respond to this virus; and

WHEREAS, based on the foregoing, on March 10, 2020, County Board President Toni Preckwinkle found that the circumstances surrounding COVID-19constitute a public health emergency under the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act and a disaster under the Cook County Code of Ordinances Sec. 26-36 and issued a issued a proclamation of disaster for Cook County; and

WHEREAS, while Cook County is presently responding to this situation, it is deemed necessary to activate Cook County’s emergency operations plan by proclaiming that a disaster exists within Cook County, Illinois; and

WHEREAS, this proclamation of disaster will assist the Cook County, by and through its Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security, to coordinate county and municipal resources and response activities, in an effort to prevent and reduce further damage and hazards, protect the health and safety of persons, protect property and provide emergency assistance pursuant to Illinois law; and

WHEREAS, in accordance with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, 20ILCS 3305/11, President Preckwinkle’s March 10, 2020Proclamation of Disaster shall not be continued or renewed for a period in excess of seven days except by or with the consent of the Cook County Board of Commissioners; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of Cook County to be prepared to address any disasters and, therefore, it is necessary and appropriate to make additional Cook County resources available in accordance with Sec. 26-39of the Cook County Code of Ordinances for the near future to ensure that the effects of COVID-19are mitigated and minimized and that residents and visitors in Cook County remain safe and secure.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, pursuant to the Cook County Code of Ordinances, Sections 26-36and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, 20ILCS 3305/11, the President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners authorize the March 10, 2020 Proclamation of Disaster (a copy of which is attached hereto) be extended through May 31, 2020unless otherwise extended by the Cook County Board of Commissioners; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Cook County continue to engage its federal, State and local partners and make additional Cook County resources available through May 31, 2020in accordance with Chapter 26. Emergency Management and Services, Article II. Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security, Sec. 26-31through 26-43of the Cook County Code of Ordinances to ensure that the effects of COVID-19are mitigated and minimized and that residents and visitors in Cook County remain safe and secure; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Cook County, by and through its Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security, shall continue to coordinate county and municipal resources and response activities as authorized under Chapter 26. Emergency Management and Services, Article II. Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security, Sec. 26-31 through 26-43 of the Cook County Code of Ordinances during the extended Cook County Proclamation of Disaster in an effort to prevent and reduce further damage and hazards, protect the health and safety of persons, protect property and provide emergency assistance pursuant to Illinois law; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that extending the proclamation will enhance the County’s ability to access the resources, equipment and personnel needed to address ongoing and changing circumstances on the ground which is particularly necessary should the number of COVID-19cases rise and the demands on County staff and partners continue to increase; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, a copy of this Resolution extending Cook County Board President’s March 10, 2020Proclamation of Disaster through March 31, 2020shall be filed with the Clerk of Cook County, Illinois.

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