County commission agenda item matching detention pipeline keywords.

Meeting: Board of Commissioners Date: 2026-04-16 Agenda Item: PROPOSED RESOLUTION

A RESOLUTION HONORING IMMIGRANT WORKERS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL WORKERS’ DAY ALSO KNOWN AS MAY DAY

WHEREAS, International Workers’ Day, also known as May Day, has its roots in Chicago and commemorates the historic struggle of workers, many of them immigrants, who organized for fair wages, safe working conditions, and the eight-hour workday; and

WHEREAS, each May Day, millions of workers around the world take to the streets to continue the struggle for economic justice and worker’s rights; and

WHEREAS, workers are the backbone of every economy, yet millions face significant challenges, including unsafe conditions, exploitation, and inadequate pay; and

WHEREAS, immigrants in the United States have long been at the forefront of the labor movement, organizing across industries, building unions, and advancing social and economic justice for all workers regardless of background or status; and

WHEREAS, immigrant workers contribute significantly to the economic, cultural, and social fabric of Cook County and the United States, strengthening communities through their labor, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement; and

WHEREAS, many immigrant workers continue to face discrimination, exploitation, unsafe working conditions, wage theft, and barriers to organizing due to their immigration status and fear of retaliation; and

WHEREAS, hostile immigration enforcement policies and actions, including those carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), have led to the separation of families, the detention and deportation of community members, the death of people in detention and during immigration enforcement, and a chilling effect on workers asserting their rights; and

WHEREAS, such enforcement practices disproportionately impact working-class immigrant communities and undermine workplace protections, public safety, and community trust; and

WHEREAS, immigrant workers have consistently demonstrated resilience and leadership in the face of these challenges, continuing to advocate for dignity, respect, and equal protection under the law; and

WHEREAS, the defense and protection of immigrant communities is essential to upholding human rights, strengthening the labor movement, and ensuring justice for all workers; and

WHEREAS, local governments, community organizations, and labor unions play a critical role in supporting immigrant workers through policies and programs that promote inclusion, safety, and opportunity.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Cook County Board President and the members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby honor immigrant workers on International Workers’ Day for their invaluable contributions and their enduring commitment to justice, equity, and the common good; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we reaffirm our commitment to protecting and defending immigrant communities against harmful and unjust immigration enforcement practices, and to advancing policies that uphold the dignity, safety, and rights of all residents regardless of immigration status; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we stand in solidarity with immigrant workers and labor organizations in Cook County and across the nation in their ongoing efforts to secure fair working conditions, living wages, and full inclusion in our society; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to immigrant worker organizations and community groups in Cook County in recognition of their leadership and contributions to the betterment of all workers.

Matched keywords: deportation

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