| Dear Neighbor, On behalf of the 8th District team, we would like to wish you and your family a happy holiday and new year. We are incredibly grateful for the amount of love and support our communities have toward one another and for the work of our office. With your support this past year, our team assisted hundreds of residents in appealing their property taxes and applying for property tax exemptions, we hosted dozens of community events across the district, and we deepened our relationships with community organizations, local elected officials, and local businesses to connect more people to the resources and services that Cook County has to offer. On the Board of Commissioners, I worked to advance our community’s compassionate and progressive values by introducing and passing ordinances that meet the needs of our families. From securing housing for people experiencing homelessness, to eliminating water bill debt for low-income communities, we accomplished a lot this year. Just last week, the board passed our new Paid Leave Ordinance, an ordinance that I introduced alongside Commissioner Alma Anaya. Our board also passed a resolution I introduced calling on President Biden to grant parole and work authorization for undocumented residents in Cook County and across the country so that our long-term immigrant neighbors can work to support their families without the fear of deportation or exploitative work environments. In the midst of uncertainty for what the future holds, and through all of the challenges we still face after the COVID-19 pandemic, the number one lesson I continue to learn from is the power and necessity of solidarity. Now, more than ever, we need to take care of all of our neighbors, both from the international community and here locally. We have the resources and the human capacity to meet the challenges of our time with compassion and grace for all. I am confident that if we continue to work hard to bring people together, to think creatively and critically, to listen and to understand, we can solve our problems and lift all boats. I am committed to continue representing these values and to create pathways toward that better tomorrow in my capacity as your commissioner. I look forward to working with you in the new year and beyond. May the new year bring you good health and peace. Sincerely, Anthony J. Quezada Cook County Commissioner, 8th District |
| Upcoming Events and Holiday Office Hours |
| The 8th District offices will close at 12 pm on Friday, December 22nd, and will reopen for regular business hours on Wednesday, January 3rd, from 9 am to 5 pm. Please email our office at district8@cookcountyil.gov, and we will do our best to respond to you in a timely manner. We hope you enjoy the holiday season and that the new year is full of health and happiness for you and your loved ones. |
  |
| Jefferson Township open for Board of Review AppealsThe Jefferson Township is now OPEN! The deadline to appeal your property taxes with the Board of Review is January 16th, 2024. You can find your township and property pin number using this search.You can apply a Board or Review Property Tax Appeal in three ways:File online here.Attend one of our upcoming property tax events (details below).Come to our office for assistance with your appeal. Upcoming Events Property Tax EventsWe are co-hosting 2 property tax appeal events with the Board of Review – join us!Monday, January 8th from 5 to 7 pm at Early College High School, 3121 N Pulaski RdThursday, January 11th from 5 to 7 pm at Northwest Community Church, 5318 W Diversey AveEspañolLunes el 8 de enero de 5 a 7 pm a Early College High School, 3121 N Pulaski RdJueves el 11 de enero de 5 a 7 pm a Northwest Community Church, 5318 W Diversey Ave |
| News and Opportunities |
| Nominations for the 2024 Unsung Heroine Awards are open! Nominate an outstanding woman from your community by Monday, January 22nd. The Cook County Commission on Women’s Issues will review submissions and notify their chosen Honoree by January 31st, 2024. Each district honoree will be celebrated at a special Women’s History Month Event in March. Nominate someone today! bit.ly/nominateunsung Las nominaciones para los Premios Heroínas Anónimas 2024 están abiertas. ¡Nomine a una mujer destacada de su comunidad antes del lunes 22 de enero! La Comisión de Asuntos de la Mujer del Condado de Cada homenajeada del distrito será celebrada en un evento especial del Mes de la Historia de la Mujer en marzo. ¡Nomine a alguien hoy! bit.ly/nominateunsung |
| Stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine! COVID is on the rise again…COVID-19 is on the rise in our community, and we advocate being proactive in protecting yourself and your family this winter. Chicagoans can receive vaccines for both the flu and COVID-19 through the Chicago Public Department of Health – find a full schedule of vaccination clinics at this link. Additionally, every home in the U.S. is eligible to order an additional 4 free at-home tests through the United States Postal Service. These tests are completely free! Go to this link in order to order your tests today. 14th Police District Community Committee Meeting for Public Safety and PolicingThe 14th District Community Committee for Public Safety and Policing Initiatives is a committee of community members whose objective is to reduce the rate of crime in the 14th District. They will be holding a public meeting at Saturday, January 6th at 12:00 pm at the Chicago Public Library, Logan Square Branch (3030 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60647.) To join the Committee’s mailing list, ask questions, or submit your suggestions, please emai 14thDistrictPublicSafety@gmail.com. To find which police district you live in, use this Find My District tool. |
| Legislative Recap |
| VICTORY! Commissioner Quezada co-introduced the Paid Leave Ordinance last week, and it passed unanimously at the Board of Commissioners! Read below for how this ordinance will benefit all workers in Cook County. After passage, Commissioner Quezada said “The passage of the Cook County paid leave ordinance is a significant victory for working-class people and families, ensuring they no longer have to choose between their health and financial stability. This legislation reflects our county’s commitment to equitable workplace policies for all workers in Cook County while increasing worker retention and productivity. I look forward to continuing our advocacy for policies that address the needs of our communities.” On December 14, 2023, the Cook County Board of Commissioners passed significant amendments to the former Cook County Earned Sick Leave Ordinance, shifting to the Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance. Effective December 31, 2023, the Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance will ensure employees in Cook County:Earn at least one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked for your employer in Cook County; andCan use paid leave for any reason of the employee’s choosing. This represents a significant shift, as the Earned Sick Leave Ordinance previously outlined conditions during which earned sick leave could be used (e.g., when you or a family member are ill, receiving medical care, etc.). Paid leave, by contrast, can be used for any reason, providing more flexibility to employees in Cook County to take time off. This change also aligns with the State of Illinois’ Paid Leave for All Workers Act, which will be enforced by the Illinois Department of Labor starting January 1, 2024. The Cook County Commission on Human Rights is the enforcement agency for the Paid Leave Ordinance. Employees who believe their employer is not providing the required hours of paid leave, failing to allow use of paid leave as required by the Ordinance, or is otherwise violating the Ordinance, should contact the Cook County Commission on Human Rights with any questions or to file a complaint. The Paid Leave complaint form and additional information can be accessed on the Commission’s website.~~~~~El 14 de diciembre de 2023, la Junta de Comisionados del Condado de Cook aprobó enmiendas importantes a la antigua Ordenanza de Licencia por Enfermedad Ganada del Condado de Cook, transfiriéndola a la Ordenanza de Licencia Pagada del Condado de Cook. A partir del 31 de diciembre de 2023, la Ordenanza de licencia remunerada del condado de Cook garantizará que los empleados del condado de Cook:Obtener al menos una hora de licencia remunerada por cada 40 horas trabajadas para su empleador en el condado de Cook; yPuede utilizar la licencia remunerada por cualquier motivo que elija el empleado. Esto representa un cambio significativo, ya que la Ordenanza sobre licencia por enfermedad ganada describía anteriormente las condiciones durante las cuales se podía utilizar la licencia por enfermedad ganada (por ejemplo, cuando usted o un miembro de su familia está enfermo, recibe atención médica, etc.). La licencia paga, por el contrario, se puede utilizar por cualquier motivo, lo que brinda más flexibilidad a los empleados del condado de Cook para tomarse tiempo libre. Este cambio también se alinea con la Ley de Licencia Pagada para Todos los Trabajadores del Estado de Illinois, que será aplicada por el Departamento de Trabajo de Illinois a partir del 1 de enero de 2024. La Comisión de Derechos Humanos del Condado de Cook es la agencia encargada de hacer cumplir la Ordenanza sobre licencia remunerada. Los empleados que crean que su empleador no está brindando las horas requeridas de licencia pagada, no permite el uso de la licencia pagada como lo requiere la Ordenanza, o de otra manera está violando la Ordenanza, deben comunicarse con la Comisión de Derechos Humanos del Condado de Cook si tienen alguna pregunta o presentar una solicitud. una queja. Se puede acceder al formulario de queja de licencia pagada y a información adicional en el sitio web de la Comisión. |
