Cook County adopts environmental justice framework after multi‑year public engagement

Cook County commissioners voted to receive and file the Department of Environment and Sustainability's environmental justice policy framework after multiple commissioners described a collaborative, multi‑year process that included broad community engagement.

"This was the first item I introduced in my first few months as a new commissioner. What was going to be a 1 year process became a 3 year process, but we did it the right way," said Commissioner Merida, who credited staff and community partners for developing the plan and establishing a community advisory council and a community compensation policy.

Commissioner Degnan and others highlighted concrete actions the policy recommends — such as expanding tree canopy to reduce flooding and air pollution — and said the framework provides a path for climate resilience investments targeted to historically impacted neighborhoods. Roll call recorded 17 ayes; the board directed departments to prepare implementation plans and reporting to appropriate committees.

Commissioners said the policy's next steps include development of action items and community engagement during implementation and asked the Department of Environment and Sustainability to return with timelines and metrics for progress.