Cook County Board introduces resolutions backing Climate Superfund Act and opposing legal immunity for fossil-fuel companies
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Summary
The Board received remote testimony from State Sen. Graciela Guzman in support of the Climate Change Superfund Act and introduced county resolutions urging state and federal action to make polluters pay and opposing proposals that would grant legal immunity to fossil-fuel companies; the measures were referred to committee.
State Senator Graciela Guzman, connected remotely, urged the Cook County Board to support Illinois legislation she sponsored — the Climate Change Superfund Act — which would require the largest fossil-fuel companies to contribute to a state fund for resilience and recovery. Guzman said Cook County already faces substantial flood risk and infrastructure strain from extreme storms and that local taxpayers should not be left to cover climate costs alone.
Multiple local advocates and residents, including Laura Dirks of the Oak Park Climate Action Network, urged the board to back a county resolution urging Congress to oppose any federal effort to grant legal immunity to fossil-fuel companies from climate lawsuits. They argued that legal immunity would nullify litigation and legislation seeking to hold large polluters accountable and to fund resilience efforts.
Commissioners introduced three resolutions on the floor (items 260977, 260978 and 260979) — to urge passage of the Climate Superfund Act, oppose legal immunity for fossil-fuel companies and support the Disposable Food Service Container Act — and referred them to committee. The measures will be considered at committee hearings in April.