Racial Equity at Cook County
Through our equity work, we seek to address and eradicate institutional and structural barriers to racial equity that exist in Cook County Government’s operations, policies and practices. By investing in Cook County’s Equity Fund, we are putting our goals into action. And with the partnership of more than 35 organizations that serve on the Equity Fund Taskforce, we ensure that Cook County’s investments are inclusive, sustainable and impactful.
Cook County’s Equity Fund Report
Released on April 7, 2022, the Cook County Equity Fund Report was created to address historic and continued disinvestment and inequities that have negatively impacted Black, Latine and other marginalized residents. Under the guidance of nearly 90 community partners, this historic Cook County document highlights the Equity Fund’s goals, vision and purpose, and memorializes the County’s financial equity commitments, including the Cook County Equity Fund Taskforce’s recommendations on actions Cook County government should take to address structural barriers that prevent the meaningful advancement of equity across Cook County.
Equity Fund Progress Report - December 2022 | Informe de progreso del fondo de inversión - Diciembre de 2022
Equity Fund Report - 2021 | Informe del Fondo de Equidad - 2021
Racial Equity in Cook County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Spending Plan
To guide our American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Spending Plan, Cook County used the socio-economic outcomes to advance racial equity outlined in For Love of Country as an aspirational guide for setting a vision for addressing systemic barriers and reducing racial inequity. As Cook County developed its ARPA Spending Plan, documented in ARPA At A Glance, the Cook County Equity Fund Taskforce provided input on key funding needs. Additionally, some members of the Cook County Equity Fund Taskforce submitted independent ARPA proposals or advised bureaus and departments under the Offices of the President on ARPA proposal development. Importantly, the Cook County Equity Fund Taskforce intentionally linked ARPA Spending Plan input to recommendations related to structural and systemic transformation. By recommending ARPA initiatives provide seed funding for planning and program design, the Cook County Equity Fund Taskforce could focus policy recommendations on sustaining the positive outcomes of these programs. The emphasis on aligning Cook County’s ARPA Spending Plan and the Cook County Equity Fund Taskforce’s recommendations is documented in Appendix B: Alignment with Cook County’s ARPA Spending Plan.
“Black and Brown Unity” Mural, 18th Street, Pilsen (2020)
With virtual and in-person events, this year’s theme “Many People, One Goal” reflects the breadth and depth of Cook County’s diverse residents and the desire for a thriving, safe and just county for all.
“Every year, we dedicate a week to celebrate Cook County’s commitment to advancing racial equity through policy and practice,” said President Preckwinkle. “I invite all Cook County residents to participate in this year’s engaging slate of Racial Equity Week events. We will have thought-provoking programming with diverse perspectives. I’m looking forward to participating again this year and exploring new ways to infuse equity in government and beyond.”
—President Toni Preckwinkle
EVENTS
(check back soon for more details and events)
September 12
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Thatcher Woods
8030 Chicago Avenue, River Forest, IL 60305
Racial Equity Week Kick-off: Culture and Healing Connections in Nature
President Preckwinkle will join residents and County officials for a “Culture and Healing Connections in Nature” event. Forest Preserves of Cook County Naturalist at River Trail Nature Center staff will lead a walk in Thatcher Woods and provide space to share cultural and healing connections to nature.
September 12
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Virtual Event
White Supremacist Ideology and Indoctrination Conversation Presented by Simon Weisenthal Center
Don't miss a powerful one-on-one moderated discussion with ex-Nazi Jeff Schoep and Simon Wiesenthal Center's Midwest Regional Director Alison Pure-Slovin.
In addition to the live conversation on understanding white supremacist indoctrination, the event will be live-streamed. In-person eats are limited - reserve your spot early. Please note that masks are required.
September 13
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Virtual Event
CMAP Talks: How can we design safe and complete streets with an equity lens?
Join Victoria Barrett from Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, representative policy makers and planners from the Northeastern Illinois region, and Cook County’s Department of Transportation and Highways to talk about designing safer streets for all. Traffic safety, especially for people walking and cycling, has never been more urgent in Cook County. Decades of racial inequity and discrimination in planning policy and design have led to inequities in streetscapes that cause safety issues, while conversations around traffic safety often focus on enforcement. In this moderated discussion and Q&A, panelists will discuss how residents can design safer streets for all and create more vibrant, walkable communities with an equity lens.
September 13
5:00 - 6:15 p.m.
Virtual Event
A Candid Conversation with Native Americans Reflecting on the Urban Indian Relocation Program 60 Years Later
President Preckwinkle will join key leaders in the Cook County Indigenous community for a candid discussion of the Urban Indian Relocation Act of 1948, the subsequent Urban Indian Relocation Program and the unintended consequences that continue to impact our region today. Panelists include Kim Vigue, Executive Director of the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, Native Filmmaker Robert Hicks, Native Funder Cindy Soto. The panel will be moderated by Native Scholar Dr. Meredith McCoy.
Illinois Muslims: Needs, Assets, and Opportunities – Cook County Roundtable
Cook County is the most diverse County in Illinois. Within that population is the largest per capita Muslim population in the state - and the nation. Who are Cook County’s Muslim population? What are their needs and assets? Join Dr. Dilara Sayeed, President, IL Muslim Civic Coalition, and Dr. Joseph Hoereth, Director, Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement, University of Illinois Chicago, to learn about the findings of the recent report “Illinois Muslims: Needs, Assets, and Opportunities,” and to have a conversation about opportunities to support and collaborate with Cook County’s Muslim communities.
September 14
Noon - 1:00 p.m
Virtual Event
September 14
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Daley Plaza, 118 N. Clark, Chicago, IL
Emergency Management and Regional Security (EMRS) Preparedness Fair
Participants are invited to engage with the #RacialEquityWeek table at Cook County’s Preparedness Fair. Members of the Racial Equity Leadership Council will be on hand to answer questions, share resources and talk about why racial equity matters in Cook County and across the nation.
The First 1,800 Days
President Preckwinkle will join Erikson Institute President & CEO Dr. Mariana Souto-Manning for a virtual discussion about the importance of the first 1,800 days of a child's life through a racial equity lens. The discussion will center on how we can ready our schools to build on the brilliance and strength of our children and focus on the whole system that will do right for the majority of children today.
September 14
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Virtual Event
September 14
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Virtual Event
Championing the Unsung: A Fireside Chat with filmmaker Adewole A. Abioye and Cook County Manager of Archives Skyla S. Hearn
This event will include screenings of Adewole A. Abioye's original works Red & Purple (2011) and My Father Lives Here (Unreleased). Following the film screenings, there will be a discussion highlighting the importance of the role of media to document and preserve the experiences and voices of underrepresented individuals, communities and movements. Abioye is a filmmaker that lives and works in Chicago. His cinema seeks to champion underrepresented voices through the prism of race, identity, history and place.
September 15
4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Tyner Interpretive Center, 2400 Compass Road, Glenview, IL 60025
Cook County United Against Hate Community Activation Event featuring the Mobile Art Cart of William Estrada
Join Cook County United Against Hate for an interactive event designed for residents to learn and begin to take action against hate in all its forms. Participants will explore this initiative through art, social justice stations, cultural exchange and educational opportunities.
September 16
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Virtual Showcase
Dare to Connect: Turbulent Times, Courageous Stories - Live Storytelling with Dr. Ada Cheng
Ada Cheng, Ph.D. will co-lead a storytelling event with Cook County Director of Equity and Inclusion Denise Barreto, featuring five storytellers from various walks of life to share diverse perspectives and ideas to reach the goal of a more equitable Cook County and world.