By: Ashmar Mandou

A pool of local officials, including Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle as well as members of the Town of Cicero Larry Dominick administration gathered on Monday morning to announce that the Town’s COVID vaccination efforts exceeded a 70 percent vaccination rate for the community. Town President Larry Dominick thanked Preckwinkle for the support that Cicero has received from Cook County that provided support to the Town’s Health Department which has been working non-stop to vaccinate members of the public.

Preckwinkle was joined by Cicero and Berwyn officials that included, Berwyn Mayor Robert Lovero, Congresswoman Marie Newman, State Representatives Mike Zalewski and Lisa Hernandez, and Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar. “The Cicero Health Department under Commissioner Sue Grazzini is dedicated to ensuring that every resident of the Town of Cicero be vaccinated and receive medical attention during this pandemic. The Health Department staff has been working with Commissioner Grazzini tirelessly, every day, to make the vaccines available to every citizen, again thanks to support from President Preckwinkle,” President Dominick said in a statement at the press conference.

“We are very proud that we have reached the 70 percent threshold for vaccinations. It has been a steady climb upwards and we won’t stop until we reach 100 percent and our residents are safe and secure,” said Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle. Dominick stated that the Town and Health Department will not stop until everyone is vaccinated and urged anyone who has not received the COVID vaccinations to do so immediately. He also thanked several community groups including Community Health Navigators, Family Focus staff and Erie House staff, along with Cicero’s Clergy Committee, and local schools including Elementary School District 99 and Morton High School District 201.

Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar shared his sentiment over the report stating, “We can officially say that Cicero and Berwyn have both surpassed 70 percent vaccination rates throughout their communities. This is quite a milestone. We should not the 70 percent figure counts all residents including young children not ready to get the vaccine and this is a significant milestone.” Preckwinkle was joined by other Cook County officials including Marisol Nunez, Vaccine coordinator for Cook County Hospital, Israel Rocha, CEO of Cook County Health, and Dr. Kiran Joshi Co-Lead and Senior Medical Officer. State Representative Lisa Hernandez added, “Seventy percent. That says it. It is very telling of the type of partnership that is occurring in the community and we must continue doing that because it is not over. I want to praise President Dominick for his great efforts, and also Berwyn Mayor Lovero.” For more information, visit www.TownofCicero.com.

CAPTIONS:
Cicero Clerk Maria Punzo-Arias congratulates the Cicero Health Department for exceeding a 70 percent COVID vaccination rate at a press conference Monday, Dec, 6, 2021 at Cicero Town Hall.

State Rep. Lisa Hernandez congratulates the Cicero and Berwyn for exceeding a 70 percent COVID vaccination rate at a press conference Monday, Dec, 6, 2021 at Cicero Town Hall.