Cook County officials seek community members to get involved with local government

With election season in full swing, the most common link for getting involved in local government is to have your name on the ballot.

However, there are more ways than running for office when it comes to getting involved in Cook County government.

A number of committees, commissions, and official branches of local government are frequently looking for people to serve. Most notably, perhaps, is the Cook County Planning Commission.

The Cook County Planning Commission is a group of community members appointed by the county board. They act as an advisory board to the commissioners, essentially make recommendations on various land-use issues, typically involving private property. In that regard, they are not a decision-making body. Final decisions are then made by the county board.

Cook County Administrator James Joerke said dozens of volunteers are already serving on a variety of Cook County boards, commissions, committees, or task forces. These volunteers are advising the county departments and the Cook County Board of Commissioners on policies and programs affecting the residents of Cook County, Joerke said during an Oct. 19 interview on WTIP. Learn more in the audio below.

Click here to view a full list of committees and commissions that community members can serve on in Cook County.

Joe Friedrichs October 19, 2022