New name reflects mission and service to Cook County residents and region

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced that the County’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has been renamed to the Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security (EMRS). Additionally, the department will also use the official Cook County seal instead as its logo moving forward. The County Board of Commissioners approved the name change during their proceedings last week.

Cook County Animal and Rabies Control (CCARC) is now accepting applications for its Housing Cook County’s Animals grant program. Housing Cook County’s Animals is an $8 million program that covers the costs of planning and construction of animal shelter facilities in Cook County. The goal of the program is to expand the capacity of existing nonprofit and governmental animal shelters to address current overcrowding, while providing housing for animals impounded by the CCARC.

Balanced budget includes no increases to existing taxes.

CHICAGO —  On Thursday, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle presented a proposed $6.18 billion Executive Operating Budget Recommendation for Fiscal Year 2020 aimed at guiding her administration’s work on justice, health, and economic development, without the need to increase existing taxes.

CHICAGO, IL--After a robust Request for Proposal (RFP) process, the Cook County Board of Commissioners has selected The William Everett Group, a certified African American-owned and woman-owned business enterprise, to provide program administration services for the County's 2020 Census Complete Count outreach and communications program.

Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Steger opens today

Village of Steger, IL--Residents in the Village of Steger and surrounding communities affected by severe storms and flooding in June 2019 can now apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA is opening a Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Steger today to assist area residents in applying for loans in person. The center will remain operational until Oct. 17.

Cook County Animal and Rabies Control reminds residents to take advantage of low-cost rabies vaccines and free microchips before clinics conclude at the end of August. The four remaining clinics are all open 10 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. at the following locations:

The Cook County Board of Commissioners approved the County’s Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) update this week. Under the leadership of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, the County’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) spearheaded the revision to the 2014 plan which remains the largest of its kind in the United States.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced that the Board of Commissioners approved $6.9 million in funding today for a major road rehabilitation project in the cities of Hickory Hills and Palos Hills. The County’s Department of Transportation and Highways (DoTH) is spearheading the project designed to boost economic development, build up regional transportation and improve quality of life for area residents.

CHICAGO—Furthering her administration’s commitment to promoting equity, today Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced the event lineup for Cook County’s inaugural Racial Equity Week–September 16 - 20, 2019.

During this week of learning, listening, and engagement, Cook County will hold a series of events to hear from residents and community partners and educate the public about racial equity, why it matters and how everyone can work together to close the gap.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is pleased to announce that the Justice Advisory Council has awarded two grants of $250,000 each to Catholic Charities and the McDermott Center, D/B/A Haymarket Center, to provide comprehensive services to justice-involved pregnant and postpartum women and their young children. The grants fund services including counseling, parenting skills, drug treatment, job placement and medical care.