Donation Initiative
On March 26, 2020, President Preckwinkle signed Executive Order 2020-6 directing the Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security (EMRS) to accept supplies, equipment, goods, services and other donations from private partners, corporations and individuals for rapid deployment to Cook County agencies, first responders, municipal partners and not-for-profit organizations working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis to provide our region’s most vulnerable communities with emergency assistance. In times of crisis, coordination is vital and valued in getting critical resources to communities most impacted and EMRS has been working diligently to mobilize philanthropic, government and business partners to support our community.
The County asked closed hospitality, entertainment, educational and manufacturing facilities as well as other businesses that have personal protective equipment (PPE) inventory currently not in use, to donate those items so that Cook County could distribute them to facilities who need them most.
Cook County accepted eye protection such as face shields and goggles, nitrile (non-latex) gloves, surgical face masks, non-contact (infrared) thermometers, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer and infection control kits. The County also accepted Tyvek and Tychem coveralls, shoe and boot coverings and gowns including surgical, isolation and personal protection.
Cook County is currently accepting donations. All PPE should be in the manufacturer's original packaging and unopened. Cook County is unable to accept products not in their original packaging or homemade items. Anyone who would like to donate PPE or has any questions can email donate@cookcountyil.gov.
Distributing Resources to First Responders and Communities
Emergency Management and Regional Security has been working diligently to distribute PPE and other resources to first responders and communities throughout Cook County.
As of March 2021, Cook County EMRS Logistics has distributed 3,972,566 pieces of PPE throughout Cook County:
- 673,130 N95, KN95 and KN90 masks
- 1,210,725 surgical masks
- 1,540,700 gloves
- 418,710 protective gowns
- 19,180 pairs of eye protection
- 47,047 Face Shields
- 15,679 Tyvek/Tychem suits (or other protective coveralls)
- 350 infection control kits
- 8,075 head covers
- 38,970 shoe or boot covers