Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle highlighted Cook County’s initial, rapid response to the COVID-19 crisis and the measures needed to ensure an equitable recovery at a May 14 virtual City Club of Chicago address. The strategy, called the COVID-19 Response Plan – From Rapid Response to Equitable Recovery, is grounded in the county’s core values of equity, engagement, and excellence, and builds from the six policy priorities established in the Policy Roadmap: Five-Year Strategic Plan for Offices Under the President. See President Preckwinkle’s prepared remarks. A related story, Preckwinkle unveils COVID-19 recovery plan for Cook County focusing on racial equity, is in the Tribune.
The six policy priorities include Healthy Communities – Health and Wellness; Vital Communities – Economic Development; Safe & Thriving Communities – Criminal Justice; Sustainable Communities -Environmental Sustainability; Smart Communities – Public Infrastructure; and Open Communities – Good Government.
The plan states that the guiding principles they have committed to are initiatives that:
1. Provide support in areas where Cook County has the authority and resources to have the greatest impact. 2. Prioritize support for Cook County’s most vulnerable populations by using a racial equity lens. 3. Maintain continuity of essential public services for residents and businesses throughout Cook County. 4. Coordinate efforts with other units of government to strategically leverage shared resources. 5. Focus on suburban Cook County, which has substantial needs but limited resources.
Read the full plan, executive summary, or provide feedback.