Contributed photo
Contributed photo
Commissioner Sean Morrison's Statement on President Preckwinkle's New COVID Restrictions for Cook County
(12/23/21) – Today, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced an overly aggressive order placed upon private sector business and employees in Cook County. I strongly oppose this approach as technically written/read, the order from Cook County's Department of Public Health (CCDPH), an office under the President of the Board Toni Preckwinkle, places a burdensome mandate on all private sector businesses to force vaccinations of all employees in order to maintain their employment.
I find this to be an overreach of authority and a policy approach which several courts have already ruled against. It will very likely have a hurtful economic impact on our county's residents. It will dramatically affect their employment and their ability to provide for their families. It will add an additionally hurtful blow for many businesses to remain open and functionable at a time when so many businesses have been devastated and continue to struggle to recover and stay afloat. This is bad public policy.
I am personally vaccinated, recovered from COVID post-vaccination, and I continue to advocate for all healthy and able adults to get vaccinated. If private sector business wish to institute a vaccination policy for their own business that is their right. However, I do not support government interference by mandating forced vaccination upon private sector businesses and their employees. For those that are not vaccinated, whether by personal choice or medically unable due to co-morbidity, I encourage you to take additional precautions and maintain safeguards that limit your exposure.
17th District Office
15040 Ravinia Avenue, Suite 44
Orland Park, Illinois 60462
(P) 708-349-1336