Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced today that applications are now open for the Community Recovery Loan Fund.  Launched as part of the Bureau of Economic Development’s Community Recovery Initiative, the $10 million Community Recovery Fund offers one-time, zero-interest loans of up to $20,000 for small businesses and up to $10,000 for independent contractors.  

Cook County welcomed Denise Barreto as its inaugural Director of Equity and Inclusion on May 26, 2020, charged with coordinating and integrating racial equity principles into all County operations, projects and services. She will lead efforts already underway: galvanizing internal employee engagement and external community engagement to inform practices and principles that advance racial equity. Ms.

In accordance with Governor Pritzker's "Restore Illinois" Plan, today President Preckwinkle issued Executive Order 2020-11 to provide guidance to employees and residents on the re-opening of Cook County facilities and returning to work as Cook County enters Phase 3 of "Restore Illinois."

Click here for the full Executive Order.

Program designed to boost shelter capacity across County

CHICAGO – Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today announced grant awards totaling $8 million to expand animal shelter capacity throughout the County. The grants were awarded through Cook County’s Department of Animal and Rabies Control’s Housing Cook County’s Animals program. South Suburban Humane Society (SSHS) received a $6 million grant and the City of Evanston received a $2 million grant for Evanston Animal Shelter (EAS).

Cases in first five months of 2020 exceed 2019 totals

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced today that the County’s Medical Examiner’s Office caseload since January 1, 2020 has surpassed all of the cases handled by the ME in 2019. Last year, the Office determined cause and manner of death in 6,274 cases. In 2020, the Office has handled more than 6,600 cases to date.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle issued a veto today striking down the Cook County Board resolution that would provide addresses of COVID-19 positive patients to first responders in Cook County Department of Public Health’s jurisdiction of suburban Cook County, which includes 127 municipalities and 2.5 million residents. 

Today, Cook County Commissioners approved five proposals from President Toni Preckwinkle’s Bureau of Economic Development (BED) that will provide tax incentives to businesses in Cook County.

The incentives, designed to promote economic growth, were approved in the following communities:  Arlington Heights, Chicago Heights, Schaumburg, South Chicago Heights, Wheeling.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, international health experts have recommended we, as global citizens, should to the best of our ability practice “social” or “physical” distancing. This remains one of the critical actions we can collectively take to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and help “flatten the curve.”

The Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways has closed roadways due to flooding from heavy rainfall.

Road closures include:

Today, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle unveiled the Cook County COVID-19 Response Plan: From Rapid Response to Equitable Recovery. The plan, announced during President Preckwinkle’s virtual City Club speech, documents Cook County’s initial response to the crisis and outlines priorities for the next several months. In a continuation of the County’s commitment to advancing racial equity, the plan is focused on addressing inequities that have been exacerbated during the pandemic.