Program offered by County's Animal and Rabies Control as part of National Spay and Neuter Awareness Month

Pet owners can bring their dogs and cats to participating veterinarians throughout Cook County to receive up to a $40 discount on spay or neuter services February 1 - 28. The County’s Department of Animal and Rabies Control (ARC) is offering the spay and neuter program during February – Spay and Neuter Awareness Month.  

Chicago –The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) has named Cook County Government a 2025 Digital Inclusion Trailblazer, recognizing the County’s continued leadership and commitment to closing the digital divide.

Cook County will experience extreme cold weather for several days starting Thursday morning. The National Weather Service has advised that wind chills will make it feel as cold as -35°F over the next several days. Extreme cold creates hazardous conditions for residents and their pets. The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control reminds residents to take special precautions to keep their pets safe. 

Cook County will experience extreme cold weather for several days starting Saturday evening. The National Weather Service has advised that wind chills will make it feel as cold as -10°F over the next several days. 

Cook County is opening warming centers in the north, west and south suburbs to help residents combat extreme weather conditions. The warming centers will  be open 24 hours beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday, January 17 and will run continuously until 8 a.m. Wednesday, January 21.

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.

COOK COUNTY, IL—The Cook County Board of Commissioners approved planning, design and construction contracts today to continue the pipeline of transportation-related projects for the County’s Department of Transportation and Highways (DoTH). These vital projects advance multi-modal projects throughout Cook County to improve state of good repair, operations, safety and support the regional economy.

Bellwood| $410,000

COOK COUNTY, IL—Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced a call for applications today for the County’s Department of Transportation and Highway’s (DoTH) Invest in Cook grant program to assist communities with transportation infrastructure improvements.

Cook County’s Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Ponni Arunkumar has been appointed as vice president of the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) for 2026. 

The appointment is a recognition of Dr. Arunkumar’s leadership at the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office (MEO). Dr. Arunkumar oversaw MEO operations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. She has played an instrumental role in implementing new policies and procedures and shaping the culture of the office while upgrading operations and technology.  

Medical Examiner’s Office Releases Preliminary 2025 Data

Public urged to review pet vaccination and exposure risks

The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control (ARC) has confirmed a rare case of rabies in a dog within the City of Chicago. This is the first rabies-positive dog identified in Cook County since before 1964 and the first in Illinois since 1994. The dog, vaccinated earlier this year, was surrendered to a local rescue and euthanized for behavioral reasons before testing positive for rabies. The source of rabies is currently unknown and under investigation.