Stay Cool!
Don't sweat it at Cook County cooling centers
Temperatures in Cook County are predicted to reach dangerous highs. Know that cooling centers are available throughout Cook County during periods of excessive heat.
When temperatures in Cook County are expected to rise to unsafe levels, the County's Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security provides an updated list of cooling centers for residents who do not have access to air conditioning.
During hot weather, residents are reminded to:
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Try to stay in the shade or indoors as much as possible.
- If working outside, take frequent breaks, preferably in an air-conditioned space.
- Check on elderly neighbors and those with functional needs.
- Take pets indoors and make sure they have plenty of water.
- Never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle.
Happy 50th, Chicago Botanic Garden!
You're invited!
We’re having a birthday party to celebrate the Chicago Botanic Garden’s first half-century of remarkable growth, forward-thinking conservation initiatives, and mission-driven programming.
Our celebration and special programming runs now through September 25. Click the link to find out more.
Thinking about going solar?
Don't miss Grow Solar Chicagoland
With energy costs rising, now is the perfect time to explore the benefits of solar energy to save money on utility bills.
For a third year, Cook County is co-sponsoring Grow Solar Chicagoland, a solar group buy program run by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association and Citizens Utility Board. This program makes solar more affordable and easier to attain for Chicagoland residents through community education and volume purchasing. The more residents who participate, the lower the cost. The program will close on Friday, September 30, 2022.
Since the program began, 114 Cook County residents installed a total of 743 kW of solar through the program.
Learn more about solar energy for your home and about the Grow Solar program by attending a free Solar Power Hour presentation.
Topics covered include:
--how to participate in Grow Solar Chicagoland
--the basics of solar market trends
--financials
--how to tell if a site is suitable for solar
Learn More
To learn more about the program visit www.growsolar.org/chicagoland.
Cook County Reaches “High” Level of COVID-19 Transmission
Public health officials highly recommend wearing masks in public, getting vaccinated & boosted
Due to an increase in the number of positive cases of COVID-19 and new hospitalizations per 100,000, Cook County is now at the “high” level of transmission, based on metrics calculated by the CDC. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 Community Levels Framework defines “high” transmission as higher than 200 COVID cases reported over the last seven days per 100,000 residents and more than 10% of new hospital admissions and/or more than 10% of staffed hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients.
Based on current CDC guidance, CCDPH highly recommends:
- Wearing a mask in indoor public spaces regardless of vaccine status
- Wearing a respirator-type mask such as an N95 or KN95 when indoors to protect those at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 infection including adults over the age of 50, those with underlying medical conditions, and the immunocompromised
- Avoiding large gatherings if you are at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 infection
- Wearing a mask when with individuals at high-risk and limiting indoor activities and congregate events with individuals other than family
- Getting vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 for all those 5 years old and older
- Improving the air quality of indoor venues with HEPA filter air purifiers and opening windows whenever possible
- Socializing outdoors if possible and avoiding poorly ventilated indoor settings and large gatherings
- Getting tested for COVID-19 a few days before and the day of attending a family or public event
- Contacting your doctor or using a Test-to-Treat site as soon as you test positive to get treatment for COVID-19. Visit https://aspr.hhs.gov/TestToTreat/Pages/default.aspx to find a Test to Treat site.
Everything you need to know about Cook County
My door is always open . . .
Cook County is responsible for providing essential services in the areas of public safety, public health, the court system, elections, tax assessment and appeals, recording deeds, and managing forest preserves. As an independent-minded member of the Board, I have worked hard to combine fiscal responsibility with social awareness. I am honored to serve the people of the 9th district, which includes: portions of the far northwest side of Chicago; Park Ridge, River Forest, Elmwood Park, Harwood Heights, Mount Prospect, Norridge, River Grove, Rosemont, and Schiller Park; portions of Arlington Heights, Melrose Park, Morton Grove, Niles, and Prospect Heights; and unincorporated Norwood Park, Maine, and Wheeling Townships.
Cook County government is here for you
Click below for a complete list of:
- Resident services
- How to do business
- County elected officials
- Agencies
- Meeting calendar