Statewide indoor mask mandate now in effect
Just under 60% of Cook County residents are fully vaccinated
The State of Illinois indoor mask mandate for all Illinois residents, regardless of vaccination status, is now in effect.
Because COVID-19 cases and hospitalization rates continue to increase, the state is also requiring individuals who work in high-risk settings to get vaccinated against COVID-19. All health care workers, pre-k-12 teachers and staff, and higher education personnel and students are now required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Workers and students in applicable settings must receive the first dose of a two-dose vaccination series or a single-dose vaccination by September 5, 2021. Second doses of the vaccine must be received by 30 days after the first dose.
Employees in all of these settings and higher education students who are unable or unwilling to receive the vaccine will be required to get tested for COVID-19 at least once per week.
The Cook County Department of Public Health issued an indoor mask mandate for suburban Cook County a week prior to the state mandate, taking effect August 23, 2021. All individuals age two and older who can medically tolerate a mask must wear one in public indoor spaces and common spaces of multi-unit residences. According to the order, businesses are required to post signage that states that masks are required. CCDPH has created a sign that can be posted by employers and it can be found on the CCDPH website at: https://cookcountypublichealth.org/ccdph-covid-19-communications/.
Forest Preserve District News
Forest Preserve District launches study for Edgebrook & other golf courses
The Forest Preserve District of Cook County invites residents to participate in public workshops to discuss potential improvements to three of the Forest Preserve’s golf courses:
• Edgebrook Golf Course, 6100 N Central Ave, Chicago
• Burnham Woods Golf Course, 14201 Burnham Ave, Burnham
• River Oaks Golf Course, 1 Park Ave, Calumet City
The Golf Course study will analyze the potential to improve the existing courses and evaluate the potential for other recreational uses such as parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, and more. This study aims to determine the best uses for each site, and community input and engagement are imperative to achieving this goal. We invite you to attend one of the upcoming virtual workshops to learn more about the project and share your insights and feedback.
There are currently two virtual meetings and one in-person meeting planned. As the project advances, we will continue to monitor the CDC’s COVID-19 requirements and recommendations for in-person gatherings.
We encourage everyone to attend one or more of our virtual data gathering workshops coming up this month. Please click the link(s) below to register for each session. You’ll also be asked to provide your zip code and identify how you found out about these workshops on the registration form. This information will be used to evaluate our engagement process and identify who we are or are not reaching. We appreciate you providing this information, as it is critical in achieving our goal of a diverse and inclusive engagement process.
Data Gathering Workshops
Edgebrook Golf Course: Tuesday, September 21st, from 6 to 7:30 pm on Zoom
Click here for registration:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nf3zJUHOQZaZnKHpigPefg
River Oaks and Burnham Woods: Wednesday, September 22nd, from 6 to 7:30 pm on Zoom
Click here for registration:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zkSHpw9xT0GAS2VffVYvig
A series of Visioning Workshops will occur at the end of October, with our final series of Consensus Workshops occurring in December. There will also be an upcoming online survey to gather additional feedback.
Registration is open now on Zoom. We look forward to your participation!
Thanks for attending our largest ever shred/recycling event!
Vaccine concerns? Learn More
If you or someone you love are vaccine-hesitant, look to a trusted resource for information.
Rabies vaccine & microchip clinics are back
Cook County Animal and Rabies Control (ARC) is resuming rabies vaccine and microchip clinics now through October. ARC is partnering with local animal organizations to offer low-cost or free 1-year rabies vaccines and microchips.
American Rescue Plan Act funding
Cook County seeks your input to guide its spending plan
Cook County will directly receive more than $1 billion from the federal government through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and is in the process of developing a responsible, comprehensive, and equitable spending plan to strategically use these one-time resources to support both immediate recovery needs and long-term transformative initiatives.
The distribution of these crucial funds will build on the equity best practices Cook County introduced with the distribution of CARES Act funds last year.
Additionally, municipalities in Cook County with populations over 50,000 will receive direct funds from ARPA, while the State of Illinois is responsible for distributing funds to entities with fewer than 50,000 residents.
Cook County government, with pro bono support from the Civic Consulting Alliance, is in the process of determining spending priorities regarding ARPA funds. A great deal of work goes into a $1 billion spending plan, and we want to do it right: in an open, honest, and transparent manner.
Funds provided under ARPA are substantial and will be transformational for states and local governments in their pandemic rescue and recovery efforts.
Investments in public infrastructure, economic and community development, workforce development and training, small business assistance, housing stability, public safety, and social services are particularly well-suited uses of ARPA funds because of their expansive and recurring benefits. Cook County can cover the upfront costs of these programs using ARPA funds and will see their long-term, sustainable benefits well after the ARPA funds have been fully used.
We look at ARPA as funds intended for all of our residents—not just for Cook County government operations. This means we will spend funds in an equitable manner with the largest benefit to the most people over the longest amount of time.
Cook County has created an Engage Cook County website to serve as a hub for community engagement on ARPA. Click here to visit the website.
Cook County Legal Aid for Housing & Debt
Attention Landlords and Renters
COVID-19 has put a strain on renters and homeowners. If you are a tenant facing eviction, or a landlord dealing with an eviction, Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt (CCLAHD) can help! Click on the website or call 855-956-5763.
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.
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