Cook County Releases First Ever Environmental Justice Policy Framework

The Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability (DES) presented the County’s first environmental justice (EJ) policy framework to the Cook County Board of Commissioners this week. The framework affirms the County’s commitment to ensure environmental justice initiatives are prioritized in the projects and programs that the County initiates.

The policy framework was co-developed by an EJ internal working group, made up of County employees and an EJ Community Advisory Committee. It was informed by feedback gathered directly from residents, community organizations and EJ leaders through a survey, focus groups and stakeholder interviews as well as town hall sessions and insight gathered from a public comment period after the draft was released in January 2025. The EJ framework will help inform and guide programming and policy decision-making across bureaus and departments within Cook County’s Offices Under the President.

“All residents throughout Cook County deserve to have clean air, clean water and clean land,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we recognize the role government plays in environmental justice, identifying harms caused by past practices and taking steps to address them.”

Implementation of the EJ policy framework will be led by DES. Initial steps include building staffing in the department to support this work and reviewing policies, practices and programs within departments in Offices Under the President to identify opportunities to improve the environment and strengthen community resilience.

“Cook County’s first environmental justice policy provides an inclusive and comprehensive framework and path forward for the future,” said Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita, vice-chair of the County’s Environment and Sustainability Committee. “It codifies our commitment to addressing past harms, existing inequities and advancing opportunities to implement our sustainability and equity goals for Cook County.”

“As a commissioner that’s also an environmental engineer, environmental justice is top of mind. Too often, communities of color are living and working too close to industrial waste, lead, pollution, food insecurity and heat,” said Cook County Commissioner Bridget Degnen, chair of the County’s Environment and Sustainability Committee. “That’s why I am thrilled to see Cook County start its first Environmental Justice Policy document. Chicago and Cook County are in a position to fill the gaps created by the federal government denying and defunding climate science. The work to acknowledge and condemn environmental racism continues here.” 

The EJ policy framework highlights immediate steps and future considerations for several categories, including air pollution, water infrastructure and flooding, climate resiliency, access to healthy food, transit and transportation, recycling, composting and circular economy solutions and more.

The EJ policy framework and public outreach report can be found at Environmental Justice.