West Cook News

Today, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) Chief Operating Officer Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck announced the safe repeal of the COVID-19 Vaccination Rights for Employees and Employer Obligations Ordinance (Sections 42-120 through 42-126 of Chapter 42 Human Relations, Article V).

Approved on June 24, 2021, by the Cook County Board of Commissioners and effective on July 1, 2021, the ordinance aimed to protect and promote public health by establishing employees' rights to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and preventing employer retaliation against those exercising this right.

The ordinance stipulated that “Unless otherwise provided by Ordinance, this Article shall be repealed of its own accord, without further action from the County Board, when the Director of the Cook County Public Health Department makes a written determination that the threat to public health posed by COVID-19 has diminished to the point that this Article can safely be repealed” (Section 42-125 (c)).

Following the expiration of both the federal Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 under Section 319 of the Public Health Service Act and Illinois's COVID-19 disaster proclamation on May 11, 2023, Dr. Hasbrouck determined that public health threats from COVID-19 have diminished sufficiently to repeal Sections 42-120 through 42-126.

The department continues to emphasize staying up-to-date with all recommended immunizations. Information on vaccinations is available at BoostUpCookCounty.com.

Employees experiencing harassment or discrimination are encouraged to contact the Cook County Commission on Human Rights.

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