South Cook News

Cook County Board of Commissioners Rules and Administration Committee met Oct. 21.

Here is the agenda provided by the committee:

NOTICE AND AGENDA

There will be a meeting of the Committee or Subcommittee of the Board of Commissioners of Cook County at the date, time and location listed above to consider the following:

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Due to the current health crisis, there is no in-person participation for the County Board meetings. The President and Commissioners will participate remotely. The public can observe the livestream https://www.cookcountyil.gov/service/watch-live-board-proceedings

The public can still testify to the Committee Meetings. Only written comment will be accepted for those wishing to provide Public Testimony. Written comments provided prior to the start of the meeting will be read aloud at the meeting. Three minutes per comment will be allowed, though every effort will be made to read statements in their entirety. If you have additional material for the Board to consider, please email testimony to cookcounty.board@cookcountyil.gov and indicate a desire that your testimony be entered into the record. All written comment which complies with County Board Rules will be posted online.

20-4799

COMMITTEE MINUTES

Approval of the minutes from the meeting of 02/26/2020 & 09/22/2020

20-3460

Sponsored by: STANLEY MOORE, DENNIS DEER, ALMA E. ANAYA, LUIS ARROYO JR, SCOTT R. BRITTON, BRIDGET DEGNEN, BRANDON JOHNSON, BILL LOWRY, KEVIN B. MORRISON, DEBORAH SIMS, LARRY SUFFREDIN, DONNA MILLER and FRANK J. AGUILAR, Cook County Board of Commissioners

20-3460 was substituted and withdrawn at 7/30/2020 Board Meeting PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT

JUNETEENTH RECOGNIZED AS A COOK COUNTY HOLIDAY

WHEREAS, On January 1, 1863 President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation; and

WHEREAS, That established that all enslaved people in Confederate states and against the Union shall be set free from slavery; and

WHEREAS, Many slave owners in the state of Texas did not release their slaves; and

WHEREAS, On June 19th, 1865, General Gordan Grainger and his troops made their way to Galveston, Texas after the surrender of General Robert E. Lee on Appotomox, Virginia. Upon General Grainger’s arrival in Texas soil, he issued Generals Order No. 3; and

WHEREAS, This order officially declared the immediate release and freedom of the remainder of slaves located in Texas; and

WHEREAS, Slaves that were forcefully held captive almost three years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued were finally pronounced freemen; and

WHEREAS, The year following 1865, freedmen in Texas organized the first of what became the annual celebration of "Jubilee Day" on June 19. In the ensuing decades, Juneteenth commemorations featured music, barbecues, prayer services and other activities; and

WHEREAS, The last of the people that were freed from slavery in Texas, made it a custom to go back to Galveston to celebrate their freedom. These former slaves pioneered and spread the celebration of Juneteenth throughout the entirety of the United States; and

WHEREAS, Although slaves were considered freemen, they continued to receive harsh treatment and were discriminated against by a large population of America; and

WHEREAS, Jim Crow Laws were placed to enforce the racial segregation of African- Americans and were often barred from participating in the celebration of Juneteenth; and

WHEREAS, This led to the eventual purchase of private lands, such as Emancipation Park in Houston, Texas, and the Booker T. Washington Park in Mexia, Texas for individuals to celebrate Juneteenth; and

WHEREAS, June 19 is now officially recognized as a ceremonial holiday in forty-seven of the fifty states, with Texas being the first to declare Juneteenth a state holiday in 1980; and

WHEREAS, Today, the celebration of Juneteenth is stronger than ever before, as it’s been fueled by the unfortunate, but extremely impactful deaths of African -Americans, such as George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless more victims; and

WHEREAS, Slavery and has had brutal impacts on African Americans and their families including but not limited to disparities in economics, healthcare, housing, the pursuit of happiness, education and the social determinants of health; and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED, by Cook County, President and Board of Commissioners shall promote Juneteenth as a day of education partnering with organizations and community to celebrate contribution of the many African- Americans from the past and today whose families were liberated, thereby allowing them to be free today; and

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, by the Cook County Board of Commissioners, that Chapter 44 HUMAN RESOURCES, ARTICLE III. VACATION AND SICK LEAVE, SEC. 44.92 of the Cook County Code is hereby amended as follows:

Sec. 44.92. Designation of Holidays

(a) The following days are hereby declared holidays, except in emergency and for necessary operations, for all salaried County officers and employees in the County offices, departments, or institutions:

(1) New Year’s Eve, January 1.

(2) Martin Luther King’s Birthday, Third Monday in January

(2)(3) Lincoln’s Birthday, February 12.

(3)(4) Washington’s Birthday, Third Monday in February 22.

(5) Good Friday, Last Friday before Easter. Casimir Pulaski's Birthday, First Monday in March

(6) Memorial Day, Last Monday in May 30.

(7) Juneteenth, June 19.

(7)(8) Independence Day, July 4.

(8)(9) Labor Day, First Monday of September.

(9)(10) Columbus Day, Second Monday in October 12.

(10)(11) Veterans’ Day, November 11.

(11)(12) Thanksgiving Day, The day appointed by the Governor, or by the President of the United States Fourth Thursday in November.

(12)(13) Christmas Day, December 25.

(14) Floating Holiday.

(b) It is the intent of the County Board that all salaried Cook County employees be granted 11 14 holidays, or equivalent paid days off per year.

(c) Should a certain holiday fall on a Saturday, the preceding Friday shall be set as the holiday; should a certain holiday fall on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be set as the holiday.

(d) In addition to the above, any other day or part of a days shall be considered a holiday when so designated by the County Board.

Effective date: This ordinance shall be in effect immediately upon adoption.

Legislative History : Legislative History : Legislative History :

7/30/20 - Board of Commissioners - accept as substituted

7/30/20 - Board of Commissioners - withdraw

9/24/20 - Board of Commissioners - refer to the Rules and Administration Commi

https://cook-county.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=746829&GUID=30658660-D684-4082-8966-90DE2C78F19A&Search=