Commissioner Sean Morrison calls for end to Cook County's COVID Mandate & Restrictions

Orland Park, IL – At today’s Cook County Board Meeting, Commissioner Sean Morrison was honored (and surprised) to be the only county board member who spoke up in recognition and support of National Police Week. Here are Commissioner Morrison’s remarks from today’s meeting:

“I wanted to take this time to recognize National Police Week and the contributions made by generations of law enforcement from around the country.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Day and the calendar week in which May 15th falls as National Police Week.

It’s important that all residents understand and recognize the duties, responsibilities, and commitment of law enforcement and their duty to serve the people by safeguarding life and property, protecting them against violence and disorder, and preserving rights and providing security to all residents.

We honor the valor, service, and dedication of all Police Officers, and I humbly salute the service of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The courage of these fallen heroes is unmatched.

We should take note… that last year, was the deadliest on record for police officers in 50 years… and 2021 is likely to be even worse.

More police officers have been shot & killed in the first 5 months of 2021 than in all of 2020 & 2019. We must protect those who protect our communities.

I now stand, and I call upon my colleagues and all elected officials to stand up and support our nation’s law enforcement officers at a time when they so desperately need our support.”

This week is National Small Business Week. We know that our small businesses, locally and nationally, have struggled during the past year due to the pandemic. Cook County has worked closely with our regional small business community every step of the way to aid the response and recovery plan to rebuild stronger. Stay tuned to Cook County’s social media channels for events and programming during the week and show your support by pledging to buy from a small business in your community that week and post on social with #smallbusinessweek hashtag.

For more information on Cook County’s response and support for small businesses, visit https://cookcountysmallbiz.org/

BREAKING: Registration for the #RestaurantRevitalizationFund will begin Friday at 9am and the application period will start on Monday, May 3 at 12pm ET. The online application will remain open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted. Visit the SBA website portal to register: https://restaurants.sba.gov/requests/borrower/login/?next=%2F&fbclid=IwAR1i9qi5KH0NRx1nGq5oMHzYTERWLPIAvBbzrrgasJ01fPqXf_HCrWZUx_8

Cook County Health will be welcoming walk-ins at all of its mass vaccination sites beginning Monday, April 26. The Tinley Park and Matteson sites first opened for walk-ins on April 21.

Beginning April 26, all Cook County Health mass vaccination sites will be open from 8:30AM-5:00PM* Monday through Saturday for walk-ins.

– Tinley Park, 18451 Convention Center Drive (Moderna, age 18+)

– Matteson, 4647 Promenade Way (Pfizer, age 16+)

– River Grove- Triton College, 2000 5th Avenue (Pfizer, age 16+)

– South Holland- South Suburban College, 15800 State Street (Pfizer, age 16+)

– Des Plaines, 1155 E Oakton Street (Pfizer, age 16+)

– Forest Park, 7630 West Roosevelt Road (Pfizer, age 16+)

Individuals or groups who are interested in getting a vaccine can simply show up and register onsite.

The Pfizer vaccine is the only vaccine currently approved for 16 and 17 year olds. As such, it is important for these individuals to walk-in or make an appointment at a Pfizer site. Individuals age 16 and 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Individuals can still make appointments at vaccine.cookcountyil.gov or by calling 833-308-1988, Monday – Friday from 7AM – 10PM and Saturday from 8AM – 10PM.

* Hours of sites are subject to change. Visit https://cookcountyhealth.org/covid19-vaccine-sites/ for updated hours of operation.

** Cook County Health’s mobile vaccination site in Summit will continue to offer walk-in availability however it is generally limited to individuals in the surrounding communities: Summit, McCook, Hodgkins, Justice, Bridgeview and Chicago Ridge.

For more information and registration details, visit https://www.cookcountyil.gov/content/register-webinar-our-manufacturing-consierge-and-nasa.