Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle visits Washington D.C. to advocate for local public health priorities

WASHINGTON D.C.— This week, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Cook County Health leadership visited Washington D.C. to meet with members of the Illinois congressional delegation and advocate for federal resources for the healthcare system.

“I am grateful for our many excellent partners in Illinois’s congressional delegation and the good work they do in Washington to benefit Cook County residents at home,” said President Preckwinkle. “This week, we had many productive conversations about Cook County’s public health priorities and how we can work together to ensure our local healthcare system has access to necessary resources to best serve our residents and patients.”

During the two-day visit, President Preckwinkle and Cook County Health CEO Israel Rocha Jr. met with U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and U.S. Representatives Jan. Schakowsky, Marie Newman, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Robin Kelly, and Danny Davis.

Topics of discussion included healthcare provisions in the upcoming budget reconciliation bill, potential ways to leverage the American Rescue Plan to benefit Cook County’s health system, and ongoing COVID-19 vaccination efforts in Cook County.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of public health systems, like Cook County Health,” said Israel Rocha, Cook County Health CEO. “It is with the support of our Congressional delegation and local elected officials that CCH is able to fulfill its mission to care for all. We are grateful to have such dedicated champions.”