Environmental Justice

Cook County’s Department of Environment and Sustainability (DES) is establishing an environmental justice policy, which can help inform and guide programming and policy decision-making across the Offices Under the President. Environmental justice is a key component of DES’ mission as well as one of the objectives of the Cook County Policy Roadmap and its Sustainable Communities pillar, which focuses on advancing environmental justice by means such as investing equitably across the County to address historic disinvestment and inequitable pollution overburden. 

On October 9, 2024, DES released its Environmental Justice Survey Report (available in Spanish here) summarizing the results of an online environmental justice survey that was launched in June 2024. The results from this survey will inform the development of the County’s environmental justice policy.  

The survey encouraged those who live and work in Cook County to share their concerns about environmental impacts on their communities. The County sought the feedback to help inform their work to establish an environmental justice policy which will be used to guide programming and policy decision-making across the Offices Under the President. 

Responding to the compounding effects of environmental inequities and preparation for additional challenges resulting from climate change are crucial aspects of the County’s strategic plan. Cook County is working internally to build interdepartmental coordination regarding environmental concerns in overburdened communities.  

In the development of this policy, the County is committed to seeking the input and knowledge of communities that have been historically overburdened by pollution and have experienced historic disinvestment. 

Survey results will be collated and reviewed as a whole.  

Any questions? Please email environment@cookcountyil.gov