Chicago City Wire

Cook County Board of Commissioners Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee met April 9

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

ATTENDANCE

Present: Britton, Anaya, Daley, Gainer, Lowry, McCaskill, Miller, Morita, K. Morrison, S. Morrison, Stamps and Trevor (12)

Absent: Degnen (excused), Aguilar (excused), Moore (excused) and Scott (excused)(4)

Remote Participation

A motion was made by Commissioner Anaya, seconded by Commissioner Morita, to allow for remote participation in meeting. The motion carried by the following vote:

Ayes: Britton, Anaya, Daley, Lowry, McCaskill, Miller, Morita, K. Morrison, S. Morrison, Stamps and Trevor (11)

Absent: Degnen, Aguilar, Gainer, Moore and Scott (5)

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Chairman Britton asked the Secretary to the Board to call upon the registered public speakers, in accordance with Cook County Code.

1. Atour Sargon - Lincolnwood

2. William Haddad - American Middle East Voters Alliance

25-2224

COMMITTEE MINUTES

Approval of the minutes from the meeting of 3/11/2025

A motion was made by Commissioner Daley, seconded by Commissioner Anaya, to approve 25-2224.

The motion carried by the following vote:

Ayes: Britton, Anaya, Daley, Gainer, Lowry, McCaskill, Miller, Morita, K. Morrison, S. Morrison, Stamps and Trevor (12)

Absent: Degnen, Aguilar, Moore and Scott (4)

25-1853

Sponsored by: JOSINA MORITA, FRANK J. AGUILAR, ALMA E. ANAYA, JOHN P. DALEY, BRIDGET DEGNEN, BRIDGET GAINER, BILL LOWRY, DR. KISHA E. McCASKILL, DONNA MILLER, STANLEY MOORE, KEVIN B. MORRISON, SEAN M. MORRISON, ANTHONY J. QUEZADA, MICHAEL SCOTT JR., TARA S. STAMPS and MAGGIE TREVOR, Cook County Board Of Commissioners

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

RESOLUTION FOR MIDDLE EASTERN AND NORTH AFRICAN DATA INCLUSION

WHEREAS, Cook County is one of the largest and most racially, ethnically and linguistically diverse counties in the country; and

WHEREAS, Cook County Government is committed to supporting equitable, inclusive and accessible government; and

WHEREAS, Cook County Government must collect accurate data to understand and serve the specific needs of its diverse communities; and

WHEREAS, Cook County recognizes Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) as a minority group; and

WHEREAS, MENA includes over 26 ethnicities speaking many languages; and

WHEREAS, there were approximately 3.5 million MENA Americans in the United States according to the 2020 US Census; and

WHEREAS, Cook County is home to a large, growing and diverse MENA population including one of the largest Assyrian American communities in the country; and

WHEREAS, the United State Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published updated Statistical Policy Directive No. 15 (SPD 15) on March 28, 2024 that included a new race/ethnicity “Middle Eastern and North African” minimum reporting category; and

WHEREAS, Cook County does not comprehensively or consistently collect or present data on MENA Americans; and

WHEREAS, the lack of comprehensive and consistent data on MENA American hinders Cook County’s ability to understand and serve these communities;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that all Cook County Offices Under the President research that include racial and ethnic data collection must include MENA data collection, with ethnicity disaggregation where relevant and available; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all Cook County Office Under the President reports and presentations that include racial and ethnic data, analysis and recommendations, must include MENA data, with disaggregated ethnicity data, when available.

A motion was made by Commissioner Morita, seconded by Commissioner Gainer, to recommend for approval 25-1853. The motion carried by the following vote:

Ayes: Britton, Anaya, Daley, Gainer, Lowry, McCaskill, Miller, Morita, K. Morrison, S. Morrison, Stamps and Trevor (12)

Absent: Degnen, Aguilar, Moore and Scott (4)

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Commissioner Lowry, seconded by Commissioner Daley, to adjourn the meeting.

The motion carried by the following vote:

Ayes: Britton, Anaya, Daley, Gainer, Lowry, McCaskill, Miller, Morita, K. Morrison, S. Morrison, Stamps and Trevor (12)

Absent: Degnen, Aguilar, Moore and Scott (4)

https://cook-county.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=1293645&GUID=CE751DE4-EAFF-4B1A-A185-FEEA009601FB