Landmark pension reform legislation backed by Cook County Board President Preckwinkle to responsibly ensure full funding of the County’s pension obligations was signed into law today by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced today the five communities selected to participate in the Climate Resiliency Planning for Communities Program spearheaded by the County’s Department of Environment and Sustainability (DES). This nearly $16 million program was announced earlier this year and will improve climate resiliency in the Villages of Bellwood, Franklin Park, Justice, Lynwood and the City of Markham over the next four years.
Today, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced the launch of a new website — arpa.cookcountyil.gov — to show how Cook County’s $1 billion in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are being spent. The new site explains how ARPA works, displays dashboards, spotlights programs made possible through ARPA and serves as a one-stop-shop for ARPA reports and information.
Invest in Cook grant program improves transit, pedestrian and bicycle paths as well as road and freight transportation across Cook County
President Preckwinkle, along with representatives from the Bureau of Asset Management and Department of Environment and Sustainability, announced today Cook County’s first power purchase agreement for renewable energy. The agreement was reached as part of a broader transaction with Constellation and Swift Current Energy. Starting in March 2025, Cook County’s asset portfolio will source approximately 24% of its electricity (about 49,000 MWh) from a new, off-site solar project in Illinois.
The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control urges pet owners to take special precautions to protect the health and welfare of their pets during excessive summer heat. The department offers the following tips for pet owners to keep in mind:
Initiative will launch with $5 million of grants to be awarded in 2023
Hot, humid and potentially stormy weather conditions will move across Cook County starting on Wednesday and ending Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Peak afternoon heat index values between 95 – 105 degrees are expected.
Overwhelming majority of cases involve fentanyl
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed 2,000 opioid overdose deaths for 2022, breaking the previous record of 1,935 set in 2021. More than 91% of opioid overdose deaths involved fentanyl. Fentanyl is up to 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine.
