Cook County's Animal and Rabies Control today released an interactive map of locations where rabid bats were found in Cook County this year. The Halloween-themed map is designed to raise awareness about rabies prevention.

“It’s important to remember that a significant number of these bats were found inside people’s homes,” said Dr. Tom Wake, administrator of Cook County's Animal and Rabies Control. “The fact that your pet doesn’t go outside is not a guarantee that it won’t be exposed to rabies.”

Cook County will turn off its non-essential lights March 30 to commemorate Earth Hour and call attention to climate change. 

The Cook County Department of Facilities Management will save energy – and send a message about the role local government and Cook County residents play in cutting harmful greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions – by turning off lights from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at several of its facilities.

Emergency lighting and all lighting necessary for public safety will remain on during this time.

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

The incentives, which will either create new or save existing jobs, were approved in the following communities: Bellwood and Hodgkins.  

As a result of redevelopment activities, these incentives should support the creation of an estimated 15 new private sector full-time jobs and support 100 construction jobs.

The grant application process for Cook County’s 2019 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) programs is now underway.

Each year, the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) solicits grant applications for Cook County's CDBG and ESG Programs through a competitive application process.

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

The incentives, which will either create new or save existing jobs, were approved in the following communities: Calumet City, Chicago, Des Plaines and Elk Grove Village. 

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced Cook County and the Forest Preserves of Cook County are stepping up the fight against climate change.

Resolutions (Cook County Board and Forest Preserves of Cook County) introduced this week set the ambitious goal of making all County government buildings and other operations carbon neutral by the year 2050 by drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

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

The incentives, which will either create new or save existing jobs, were approved in the following communities: Calumet City, Elk Grove Village and McCook. 

As a result of redevelopment activities, these incentives should support the creation of an estimated 16 new private sector full-time jobs, retain an estimated 66 full-time jobs and support 57 construction jobs.

Roadmap aims to combat historic inequality, institutional racism and indifference

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today unveiled a comprehensive and ambitious Cook County Policy Roadmap: Five-year Strategic Plan for the Offices Under the President.

Municipalities around Cook County have opened warming centers for area residents to safely cope with the region’s first taste of winter weather:

The list of warming centers can also be found on the Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management website.

Residents should follow these tips during cold weather to keep themselves and their families safe:

Preckwinkle issued her second executive order on Monday expanding the number of employees who are required to receive ethics training as well as the frequency of those trainings.

Previously, only about 500 elected officials, their staff and county employees were required to participate in ethics training within 120 days of becoming an elected official or their hire date.