Prior to 2020, Cook County translated election ballots to include the languages of English, Spanish, Chinese and Hindi. Cook County is pleased to announce it has been expanded this year to include the additional languages of Arabic, Polish, Korean, Russian, Ukrainian, Tagalog and Gujarati. These additional languages will allow voters the ability to more readily process information found on the ballot. https://www.cookcountyclerk.com/service/your-voter-information

Orland Park, IL – Special Prosecutor Dan K. Webb concluded his investigation and announced his findings in a report released today (8/17) regarding his investigation into the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) and Chicago Police Department’s handling of the Jussie Smollett case.

Upon review of the 12-page document from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), Commissioner Morrison is deeply troubled by the severity of the findings. “Absent criminal charges, these findings are damning against State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and to the reputation of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office,” said Commissioner Morrison. Those findings included the following:

• The OSP did develop evidence that establishes substantial abuses of discretion and operational failures by the CCSAO in prosecuting and resolving the Initial Smollett Case.

• The CCSAO engaged in a substantial abuse of discretion and breached its obligations and transparency by making false and/or misleading statements to the public regarding the nature and reasons for the dismissal of the Initial Smollett Case.

• The OSP did develop evidence that may rise to the level of a violation of legal ethics by State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and CCSAO lawyers relating to false and/or misleading public statements made about the prosecution and resolution of the Initial Smollett Case.

• The CCSAO engaged in a substantial abuse of discretion and breached its obligations of honesty and transparency by making false and/or misleading statements to the public regarding State’s Attorney Foxx’s recusal.

• The CCSAO, State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and/or Mr. Magats made at least six false and/or misleading public statements relating to the nature and reason for the dismissal of the Initial Smollett Case and State’s Attorney Foxx’s reccusal.”

Though the OSP did not develop evidence that would support any criminal charges against State’s Attorney Kim Foxx or anyone else at the CCSAO, the OSP’s will submit its 60-page Summary Report to the Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) so that the ARDC can conduct the appropriate ethical review to determine if any ethical violations were committed.

“The substantial abuses of discretion, operational failures and unethical behavior committed by Kim Foxx and members of her staff is unconscionable. The severity of this report affirms my belief that Kim Foxx is unfit to hold the Office of State’s Attorney and should resign immediately,” concluded Commissioner Morrison.

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Media Inquiries: Christopher Provenzano: 312-804-8434 (M) or christopher.provenzano@cookcountyil.gov

The first set of COVID-19 contact tracing positions at Cook County Dept. of Public Health (CCDPH) are now posted. These positions are for residents of suburban Cook County.

Hektoen COVID-19 webpage where people can find job descriptions and apply: https://www.hektoen.org/hektoen-covid-19-contact-tracing-i…/

The positions hired through Hektoen are now posted and applications are being accepted. These are 6 month, temporary positions. Approximately 50-60 positions will be filled, including contact tracers, case investigators, and case investigator supervisors.

Later in August, CCDPH will post positions at the Cook County Hospital (CCH) employment website for the remaining positions to be hired. Those 12 month positions will be hired through CCH. Position information and links to apply will be shared when they are posted.

The Hektoen Institute of Medical Research is a 501(c)(3) organization and grant administrator headquartered in the City of Chicago. For over seventy years, Hektoen has served as a venue to promote funding for medical research and education.

As Cook County recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, reopening efforts will depend on public health testing, contact tracing, a sustained healthcare system capacity to respond to new outbreaks and public compliance with existing containment and mitigation efforts. The Hektoen Institute in collaboration with Cook County Department of Health and the Illinois Department of Public Health will participate in addressing the contact tracing component.

The Hektoen Institute is currently accepting resumes from residents of Cook County who are interested in working to stop the spread of COVID-19. Hektoen in collaboration with the Cook County Department of Public Health will offer full-time, temporary Contact Tracer positions with full benefits, and will provide training to develop skills and career paths in public health and patient care. These positions are temporary in nature and will last for 6 months.

The Hektoen Institute was awarded a contract by Cook County Health on July 23, 2020, through funding from the Illinois Department of Public Health, for rapid start-up of the Cook County Department of Public Health Contact Tracing Initiative. Hektoen will directly employ two supervisors, eight case investigators and fifty contact tracers who will function as part of the CCDPH COVID-19 Contact Tracing Initiative. These employees will be dedicated to helping suburban Cook County residents who have tested positive with the COVID-19 virus in identifying available resources for them and in identifying individuals who may have been exposed to the virus. Interested applicants should click on the link below to review the position descriptions and apply:
 
Contact Tracer
Contact Tracer (Bilingual)
Case Investigator (Team Lead)
Case Investigator (Team Lead) (Bilingual)
Case Investigator (Team Lead Supervisor)
Case Investigator (Team Lead Supervisor) (Bilingual)
 
Eligible applicants should be familiar with suburban Cook County and have a high school diploma or equivalent background. Multi-lingual applicants are encouraged to apply.
 

ABOUT THE HEKTOEN INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH

Located in the Illinois Medical District, the Hektoen Institute of Medicine was founded in 1943 by a group of prominent Cook County physicians as a venue for funding and conducting medical research and education. Today, Hektoen is a nonprofit health service and research organization that administers grant awards on behalf of community organizations, independent investigators, and institutions working to improve care and resources for the underserved. Hektoen’s sponsored programs address some of the most pressing health concerns facing underserved populations in Chicago and throughout the world, including: domestic violence, substance use, and mental health; HIV care and support services; community oncology; early intervention; healthcare reform; and a diverse array of other research and services.

Hektoen is located in the Illinois Medical District at 1339 South Wood Street, Suite G, Chicago, IL 60608.