News Releases

Cook County Board Approves Largest Hazard Mitigation Plan in U.S.

The Cook County Board approved the largest Multi-Jurisdictional All Hazards Mitigation Plan (HMP) ever completed in the United States at today’s county board meeting. Cook County’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) spearheaded the HMP planning process.

Cook County Honors Oak Park River Forest Wrestling Team

The Cook County Board and the county’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) honored a group of students and coaches from the Oak Park River Forest High School wrestling team during the county’s monthly board meeting today. More than two dozen students and coaches were on hand to represent the wrestling team while a resolution was read highlighting the students’ efforts to assist the town of Washington, Ill. after it was devastated by a tornado on Nov. 17, 2013.

Public Meetings Begin for Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan

The Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) invites residents to review and comment on the county’s draft Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) in a series of public meeting beginning tonight.

Under the leadership of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, DHSEM has worked diligently with area municipalities and other partnering agencies to formulate the HMP to address severe weather events and other natural hazards.

Cook County Assists Municipalities with Flood and Disaster Preperation

One year ago, municipalities around Cook County were devastated by flooding. The Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) worked with area first responders and emergency managers to help communities respond to and recover from the effects of the floods.

Public Input Needed to Help Cook County Plan for Natural Hazards

Last weekend’s storms reminded Illinois residents the extent and kind of damage a weather event can cause. While Cook County escaped serious damage, it’s been impacted in the past by snowstorms, tornadoes and other natural incidents, including the damaging floods in April.

That is why the Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) is developing a comprehensive Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan to prepare for natural disasters and their impact.

Director Masters Speaks at National Cybersecurity Event

The Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) participated in the first National Cybersecurity Awareness Month Cyber Crime Event in Chicago.

The event, commemorating a decade of cybersecurity awareness, highlighted the increasing threat that cyber attacks pose for both the public and private sectors.

County to Draft Plan to Prepare for Impacts of Natural Hazards

A coalition of Cook County cities, villages and agencies are creating a comprehensive hazard mitigation plan to prepare for natural disasters and their impact. The coalition was formed to pool resources and create a uniform hazard mitigation strategy.

The plan is to reduce the county’s vulnerabilities to natural hazards, such as floods, snowstorms and tornadoes, to protect the health, safety, welfare and economies of communities in Cook County.

Cook County DHSEM Rolls Out Cybersecurity Training to Protect Residents' Information

In recognition of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the Cook County Board of Commissioners passed a cybersecurity resolution, to train and educate county employees to safeguard against cyber threats. The Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Cook County Bureau of Technology are collaborating with SANS Institute and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) to provide federally-funded training to the county’s workforce.

Cook County to Receive $13.9 Million to Aid Recovery From Spring Flooding

Cook County will receive $13.9 million dollars to support local recovery efforts following the spring’s powerful storms and flooding. The grants are provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, which is designed to support long-term disaster recovery.

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