Courtesy of Health and Medicine Policy Research Group

A group of 80 Chicago-area organizations signed letters requesting significantly increased funding for the Chicago and Cook County departments of public health to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Chicago City Council, Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle, County Commissioners, and other relevant officials.  The letters’ writers note the stark health inequities in both Chicago, where the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) has jurisdiction, and in suburban Cook County, where the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) operates. They note a stronger response is needed, and that requires more staff, and thus more funding. The letter sent to city officials requests an additional $25 million and the county-focused letter requests an additional $23 million in FY2025.  The letters’ signers include community-based, public health, health care, behavioral health, women’s health, labor, faith-based, educational, and community-safety organizations, coalitions, and institutions, demonstrating broad support for increased funding for Chicago-area local health departments.  The letters note that to be successful, both departments also need faster hiring by the city and county, so they can stop missing out on talented applicants and use all available resources to protect and promote public health. Investing in CDPH and CCDPH will support greater thriving now and in the future for Chicago and suburban Cook County residents.