Morrison Blasts County's Vaccination Proof Order As 'Overreach'

COOK COUNTY — Sean Morrison blasted Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s latest order that will require proof of vaccination to enter indoor venues in suburban Cook County, such as restaurants and movie theaters. The new order takes effect Jan. 3.

Morrison, the Cook County Board Commissioner for the 17th District, decried Preckwinkle’s new order announced Thursday morning as “overly aggressive” in a written statement.

>>> Vaccination Proof Mandatory At Suburban Cook County Indoor Venues

“I strongly oppose this approach as technically written/read, the order from Cook County's Department of Public Health (CCDPH), an office under the President of the Board Toni Preckwinkle, places a burdensome mandate on all private sector businesses to force vaccinations of all employees in order to maintain their employment.”

The commissioner went on to say he found the order to be overreach of authority and a policy approach which several courts have already ruled against. He also warned of a “hurtful economic impact on suburban Cook County residents.

“It will dramatically affect their employment and their ability to provide for their families. It will add an additionally hurtful blow for many businesses to remain open and functionable at a time when so many businesses have been devastated and continue to struggle to recover and stay afloat. This is bad public policy.”

Morrison announced in August that he had a breakthrough COVID-19 infection and described his symptoms then as mild. He encouraged all healthy and able adults to get vaccinated.

“I am personally vaccinated, recovered from COVID post-vaccination, and I continue to advocate for all healthy and able adults to get vaccinated,” Morrison stated. “If [a] private sector business wish to institute a vaccination policy for their own business, that is their right. However, I do not support government interference by mandating forced vaccination upon private sector businesses and their employees. For those that are not vaccinated, whether by personal choice or medically unable due to co-morbidity, I encourage you to take additional precautions and maintain safeguards that limit your exposure.”