Halloween is an exciting time for the whole family but can present potential hazards for pets. To ensure pets remain safe and healthy during the weekend festivities, Cook County’s Department of Animal and Rabies Control recommends pet owners take the following precautions.
Pet Costumes
13 rabid bats have been found so far this year
COOK COUNTY, IL—The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control (ARC) has released an interactive map of locations where bats that have tested positive for rabies were found in Cook County. So far this year, 13 rabid bats have been identified. The Halloween-themed map is designed to raise awareness about rabies prevention.
COOK COUNTY, IL — Cook County has been named a County Government Experience Project Winner in the Center for Digital Government’s 2026 Government Experience (GovX) Awards. The County was recognized for its digital equity platform, which helps residents understand the digital divide, find resources and take action to improve digital access.
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.
Dr. Megan Carolan was named administrator of Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control (ARC) following her appointment by President Toni Preckwinkle and approval today by the County’s Board of Commissioners.
Dr. Carolan has served as interim administrator of ARC since February. Before that, she held the deputy administrator role from 2023 - 2026.
Cook County’s Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Ponni Arunkumar was appointed president of the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) this week at the organization’s annual conference.
Cook County, IL - This month, Cook County announced two distinct real estate initiatives aimed at transforming underutilized County-owned land into new centers of innovation, affordable housing, and long-term community investment. The two efforts—the Request for Information (RFI) for the Harrison Square Innovation Development and the Request for Proposals (RFP) for redevelopment of 2840–2844 W. Fullerton Avenue—are separate projects with independent scopes, timelines, and processes.
FY2027 budget protects essential services while making tough choices to strengthen Cook County’s finances for challenges ahead
COOK COUNTY, IL — Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Thursday unveiled a proposed $9.69 billion Executive Budget Recommendation for Fiscal Year 2027 without layoffs, tax increases or cuts to essential services. This balanced budget includes billions of dollars in public health and public safety funding while closing a $550 million budget gap at no additional cost to taxpayers.
Two virtual sessions, October 13 and October 19, will brief residents on the County's financial outlook, what is driving the gap and what it means for County services
County to provide direct support to communities recovering from severe summer storms
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and the Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security (EMRS) today announced an $8 million investment to help communities across Cook County remove hundreds of thousands of cubic yards of debris left behind by a severe summer storm, with a focus on south suburban municipalities that continue to face significant recovery challenges.
