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I stand with the Illinois Law Enforcement Coalition in opposition to Illinois House Bill 163 Senate Amendment 2 which was filed on Tuesday (1/5/21) in Springfield. The coalition released a statement this week which reads in part:
“The so-called “reforms” that are part of House Bill 163 as amended would destroy law enforcement’s ability to keep communities safe. The authors of this legislation are not law enforcement professionals with hundreds of years of combined experience and this bill was drafted without law enforcement input, and because of that the long-term unintended consequences of this legislation would be dire. The Illinois Law Enforcement Coalition recently enumerated its Safe Communities plan, a sensible approach to modernizing Illinois law enforcement, but House Bill 163 as amended would lead to unsafe communities in Illinois. We urge the Illinois General Assembly to avoid making a sudden, rash decision in the Lame Duck Session and instead work carefully with all stakeholders to truly examine what needs to be done regarding law enforcement in Illinois.
The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) State Lodge, FOP Labor Council, FOP Chicago Lodge 7, Illinois Sheriffs’ Association and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police comprise the Illinois Law Enforcement Coalition and have been working on these strategies since summer to improve community safety and enhance the trust between community members and law enforcement.”
It is totally unacceptable to attempt to rush through passage on a significant piece of legislation like House Bill 163, especially in the Lame Duck Session. This bill will impact public safety in every single community across Illinois. House Bill 163 deserves an honest and transparent vetting process. The legislative process should include input from all interested parties including law enforcement and the public. All outreach tools should be employed for public vetting of House Bill 163 including public hearings, tele-town halls, surveys, editorial boards, and others. This legislation deserves attentive review and vigorous debate.
It is my hope that the Illinois General Assembly will take the prudent approach and fully engage their constituents in dialogue before any approval of House Bill 163 is considered.
– Commissioner Sean M. Morrison, 17th District
The Forest Preserves of Cook County is permitting snowmobiling this winter season. However, permits can only be obtained online at https://fpdcc.com/things-to-do/snowmobiling/ and not in person this year. Snowmobiles are allowed at four designated locations in the Forest Preserves under certain winter conditions.
Snowmobile areas are open from 10 am to 10 pm on days when the soil is frozen with a minimum snow depth of four inches and temperatures are constant 20 degrees or less.
Public safety requires the temporary closing of some Forest Preserves parking areas during the winter season. However, our maintenance department prioritizes the clearing of parking areas serving winter activities. Always call ahead to make sure snowmobile areas and parking areas are open.
Please click on the link for details: https://fpdcc.com/things-to-do/snowmobiling/.
The Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program is a $636 million program developed by Governor Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly to provide economic relief for small businesses hit hardest by COVID-19. BIG leverages federal funding provided by the CARES Act to help offset COVID-19 related losses for Illinois small businesses.
BIG is the largest program of its kind in the nation – leveraging federal CARES Act funds to establish economic recovery programs: over $270 million for small businesses, and another $270 million exclusively for childcare providers, administered jointly by DCEO and IDHS.
Funding may be used to help businesses with working capital expenses, including payroll costs; rent; utilities; and other operational costs as defined in the eligible cost list found below.
Important Application Updates: Applications for a second round of funding are now live. A total of $220 million will be made available for small businesses of all types in Illinois. If you have questions or are experiencing technical difficulties, please submit a question to the BIG Helpdesk via the following forms for assistance with your application in either English or Spanish. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with funding priorities outlined below. Please take care to submit a complete and correct application. Additional time needed to submit will not impact your eligibility or chances of receiving a grant.
CLICK ON THE LINK FOR DETAILS: https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/SmallBizAssistance/Pages/C19DisadvantagedBusGrants.aspx
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 4, 2020
Commissioner Sean Morrison Kicks Off Holiday Pet Supplies Drive To Support P.A.W.S. of Tinley Park
Orland Park, IL – Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison kicks off his Holiday Pet Supplies Drive today to support P.A.W.S. of Tinley Park. The donation drive will run from December 4 thru December 18. Residents are asked to donate select dog and cat items to help support the shelter animals at P.A.W.S. of Tinley Park.
- Bedding: Twin and Full Size Blankets and/or Bath Towels for Dogs & Cats
- Buckle Collars for Dogs (All Sizes)
- Nylon Leashes (4 ft. & 6 ft.)
- Kitty Toys
- Kongs (Dog Toys)
2020 has been an extremely difficult year for everyone and that also includes our animal shelters. Commissioner Morrison would like to take this opportunity to lend a helping hand to P.A.W.S. by bringing needed pet supplies for the shelter animals at their facility. “As we always see, our residents have a caring and giving nature towards friends, family, neighbors and animals too. Their generosity, especially at this time of the year, will go a long way to helping P.A.W.S. and the great work they do for shelter animals,” stated Commissioner Morrison.
Donations can be dropped off (M-F 9am-5pm) to Commissioner Morrison’s 17th District Office, located 15040 Ravinia Drive, Suite 44 in Orland Park. We ask all residents wishing to make a donation to call our office in advance of their visit at 708-349-1336.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Sean.Morrison@cookcountyil.gov
708-349-1336 (P)
Completely unacceptable. We must do much better for those who are the most vulnerable.
Breaks my heart, many of our older clients 80’s can’t get the vaccine. They wait on hold, signed up numerous locations etc etc. Any suggestions? One even went to Indiana and received. Illinois needs to do better.
Illinois vaccine program is screwed up as is everything else in the state. My cousin in Florida said 73% of people are vaccinated in her county (St. Augustine) and this was weeks ago.
VIDEO: Watch as a wellness check by police turns violent in a split second. Fortunately, the police officer responded quickly to avoid the point blank gun fire. This is an example of how dangerous a seemingly routine call can be for police officers.
Thanks for sharing. I am angry how the Democrats want to defund the police. They want to replace with social workers?
INDOOR CAPACITY LIMITS INCREASED FOR COOK COUNTY
In alignment with the City of Chicago, the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) is planning to increase capacity limits for several sectors in our suburban Cook County jurisdiction. Our metrics continue to trend in the right direction, allowing for us to make this change.
The new mitigation order CCDPH will be issuing allows for an increase in capacity from the lesser of 40% of capacity or 50 people, to the lesser of 50% capacity or 50 people in restaurants, bars, and event spaces. Performance venues, movie theaters and personal services and health and fitness centers can also increase to 50% capacity (increase from 40%) with no more than 50 people within any one space. Health and fitness centers can also increase capacity to 20 people in indoor fitness classes (up from 15), as long as six feet of spacing can be maintained.
Not just Cook County. Kankakee County is bad too. Illinois has to get their act together. I have been trying to get the vaccine for my husband and myself but with no luck.
The public health system seems a “Lilttle jazzed up” as to the vaccination sites with no vaccines. Why did they not come up with a plan til the last minute.
Kinda venting because I went to a site at Thornton Fractional yesterday with a appointment and was turned down. Sign read CCH VACCINATION SITE. Someone leaked a school district only site. Can we get some organizational skills and put together a less stressful situation to get the vaccine?? This is nuts even for Cook County
The president says there will be enough vaccines but not enough places to deliver.
COOK COUNTY BOARD APPROVES FUNDING FOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS THROUGHOUT COMMUNITY
Last week, the Cook County Board of Commissioners approved funding for engineering services and construction activities for projects across the County led by the County’s Department of Transportation and Highways (DoTH) as well as intergovernmental partnerships with several local agencies. These vital projects will boost economic development, build up regional transportation and improve quality of life throughout Cook County.
Most of these projects are funded by 'Invest in Cook' grants, which help municipalities further their transportation projects by covering the cost of planning, engineering, right-of-way acquisition and construction associated with transportation improvements sponsored by local governments and private partners.
VILLAGE OF TINLEY PARK
The Board approved funding for construction and construction management for the bi-County 80th Avenue roadway reconstruction in the Village of Tinley Park from approximately 191st Street to 183rd Street. Cook County will pay $8.5 million for costs associated with portions of the project under the County’s jurisdiction. Construction improvements on 80th Avenue consist of reconstruction, roadway widening, additional turn lanes, upgraded street lighting, reconstruction of the structures over the Union drainage ditch and Interstate 80, traffic signal modernization at the intersections of 80th Avenue and 191st Street and 80th Avenue and 183rd Street, installation of new traffic signals at the intersection of 80th Avenue and 185th Street and installation of pedestrian facilities and landscaping.
VILLAGE OF JUSTICE
DoTH awarded the Village of Justice a $400,000 Invest in Cook grant that will fund the reconstruction of 82nd Place from 88th/Cork Avenue going east to the end of the cul-de-sac. Improvements include the complete removal of existing pavement, base layers as well as curb and gutter, removal and replacement of driveways on the north side of 82nd Place between the proposed curb and gutter, drainage upgrades and freshly sodded parkways. 82nd Place is a busy roadway that supports the movement of over 200 freight trucks daily.
Applications for 2021 Invest in Cook grants are currently open and will be accepted through March 12. For more information and how to apply, visit www.cookcountyil.gov/investincook.
143rd between Wolf Rd and Will Cook Rd in Orland is always flooded. This need attention please.
Contact Us
Chicago Office
118 N. Clark Street, Suite 567
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Phone : 312-603-4215
Fax: 312-603-2014
District Office
15040 Ravinia Ave, Suite 44
Orland Park, Illinois 60462
Phone: 708-349-1336
Fax: 708-349-1627