News

• Permit Denied: Southeast Side Community Organizers Win Environmental Justice Fight  

  February 25, 2022

  Following years of pressure from Southeast Side community members, last Friday, February 18, the Chicago Department of Public Health denied the permit for Southside Recycling, formerly known as General Iron, to operate on the Southeast Side. Health & Medicine Policy Research Group and the Collaborative for Health Equity Cook County congratulate the Southeast Side community members […]

• Health & Medicine Announces 2022 Policy Agenda for Health Equity in Illinois

  January 31, 2022

  On Monday, January 31st, Health & Medicine released our 2022 Policy Agenda for Health Equity in Illinois. Each year, Health & Medicine’s policy priorities shift to adjust to the most pressing public health equity issues that we feel we are best equipped to address, yet one thing remains constant: our commitment to align these priorities […]

• Health & Medicine Seeks Sponsorship for 2022 Forum for Justice in Health Policy Series 

  December 16, 2021

  Health & Medicine is currently seeking sponsors at a variety of levels for its 2022 Forum for Justice in Health Policy series. Since 2014, Health & Medicine Policy Research Group has hosted the Forum for Justice in Health Policy series to convene people to think about and discuss some of the toughest topics around public […]

• Policy Director Testifies at Press Conference Demanding Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CDPH Commissioner Allison Arwady Deny the Permit to General Iron

  December 3, 2021

  On Thursday, December 2nd, the Southeast Environmental Task Force held a press conference demanding that Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Dr. Allison Arwady, Commissioner of the CDPH, deny the permit to General Iron. Wesley Epplin, Health & Medicine Policy Director, testified as part of the leadership team for the Collaborative for Health Equity Cook County which […]

• Policy Director Testifies in Favor of Just Cause for Evictions at City of Chicago Subject Matter Hearing

  September 23, 2021

  On Friday, September 17, Wesley Epplin, Health & Medicine’s Policy Director, testified in favor of the Just Cause for Evictions ordinance during a subject matter hearing held by the Housing and Real Estate Committee of Chicago’s City Council. Epplin was called to testify on behalf of Health & Medicine about the Just Cause for Evictions […]

• Updates on the #DenyThePermit / #StopGeneralIron Campaign

  June 23, 2021

  Health & Medicine would like to share an update on the #StopGeneralIron Campaign we have been supporting and rallying health and social justice workers and organizations to support alongside the Collaborative for Health Equity Cook County. On Friday, May 7th, 2021, the City’s review of the permit application was put on hold, at least until […]

• Public Health Leaders Demand Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CDPH Commissioner Allison Arwady Deny the Permit to General Iron

  March 8, 2021

  Over 500 public health and healthcare workers, students, community activists, and over 70 local and national organizations signed a letter demanding that Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Dr. Allison Arwady deny the permit to relocate the General Iron/Reserve Management Group (RMG) scrap metal recycling facility to the Southeast Side of Chicago. In the open letter […]

• Health & Medicine Announces 2021 Policy and Governance Priorities

  December 15, 2020

  Download the 2021 Policy and Governance Priorities here! Health & Medicine’s policy priorities advance our core values and mission of health equity through research, education, advocacy, and collaborative action. We support communities by seeking redress of root causes of health inequities, focusing on policy, governance, and practice changes at the structural level. Our work is […]

• Health Equity Requires Defunding and Abolishing the Police

  November 2, 2020

  Health & Medicine’s Board of Directors voted on and approved this policy position in September 2020. This policy position statement was developed by a committee of staff and board members. Advancing health equity is Health & Medicine Policy Research Group’s mission. As part of that mission, Health & Medicine supports the growing call to defund […]

• Director of Health Equity Provides Testimony at Cook County Board Public Hearing

  August 3, 2020

  On July 16th, 2020, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and the Department of Budget and Management Services hosted a public hearing to present the FY2021 Preliminary Budget Forecast.

• Director of Health Equity Testifies Before Cook County Board: We Need a CEO Committed to Social Justice and Health Equity

  January 22, 2020

  On Wednesday, January 22nd, the following testimony by Health & Medicine’s Director of Health Equity Wesley Epplin was presented to the Health and Hospitals Committee of the Cook County Board of Commissioners about Cook County Health CEO, governance, and finances. Epplin urged the Board to choose a CEO committed to social justice and health equity […]

• Schaps Testifies Before Cook County Board: CCH is glue that holds health safety net system together.

  July 29, 2019

  On Thursday, July 25th, the following testimony by Health & Medicine’s Executive Director Margie Schaps was presented to the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Schaps spoke about the importance of the Independent Board’s management and supervision to the continued survival of the Cook County Health System. Good morning and thank you for the opportunity to […]

• Margie Schaps Testifies Before Cook County Board: “CCHHS plays a critical role in this County with a mission to take care of all in need.”

  July 10, 2019

  On Tuesday, July 9th, the following testimony by Health & Medicine’s Executive Director Margie Schaps was presented to the Cook County Board at their Budget Hearing. Schaps urged the Board to approve a budget that will allow the Health System to succeed and flourish while allowing it to fully implement a strategic vision that will […]

• Health & Medicine Comments on the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980: Verification of Eligible Status

  July 9, 2019

  On July 9th, Director of Health Equity Wesley Epplin submitted comments on behalf of Health & Medicine strongly opposing the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s proposed rule to prohibit mixed status families from living in subsidized housing, and demanding that the proposed rule be immediately withdrawn. “Health & Medicine Policy Research Group (Health & […]

• Schaps Testifies Before Cook County Board: “We must continue to provide the needed resources for CCHHS to flourish.”

  October 31, 2018

  On Monday, October 29, the following testimony by Health & Medicine's Executive Director Margie Schaps on the proposed budget for Cook County Health was presented to the Cook County Board. Schaps urged the Board to approve a budget that will allow the Health System to succeed and flourish while allowing the System to fully implement a strategic vision that will ultimately reduce costs and improve the health of the residents of the County.

• Health & Medicine and CHECookCounty Release Statement Urging Cook County Board of Commissioners to Fully Investigate the County’s Gang Database

  January 25, 2019

  On January 23, Health & Medicine and the Collaborative for Health Equity Cook County released a statement to the Cook County Board of Commissioners in support of passage of Item #19-0687 An Ordinance to regulate and develop a long-term plan for the use of any Regional Gang Intelligence Database (RGID) and affiliated data. The so-called gang database contains the names of 25,000 people suspected of being affiliated with more than 400 gangs and gang factions and has been criticized by civil liberties groups for having adverse effects on the lives of those listed even after they have left the gang life.

• Health & Medicine Condemns Trump Administration’s Proposed “Public Charge” Rule Change

  October 12, 2018

  This past Wednesday, October 10, the Trump Administration officially issued a proposed rule change related to “public charge” determinations. This is another abhorrent attack on the health and wellbeing of immigrants and their families that is meant to scare them from seeking access to programs that support healthcare, nutrition, and housing. Health & Medicine Policy Research Group joins immigrants and our partners to condemn this unjust and immoral proposal. As a member of Protecting Immigrant Families-Illinois we urge all of our partners to join us in fighting back.

• Health & Medicine Testifies Before County Board in Support of Funded Health System

  November 6, 2017

  On Thursday, November 2, Health & Medicine's Executive Director Margie Schaps presented the following testimony at the Cook County Board Budget Hearing. My name is Margie Schaps, and I am the Executive Director of the Health and Medicine Policy Research Group. I want to thank the Board for allowing the opportunity to testify in support of a fully funded Cook County Health and Hospitals system budget. Since 1981, Health and Medicine has been an organization committed to developing and supporting systems and policies that create a healthier society.

• Health & Medicine Stands with Dreamers

  September 5, 2017

  Health & Medicine stands with Illinois' over 40,000 Dreamers and the thousands more across the country. The young people affected by the decision of this Administration to end DACA are our neighbors, our friends, and our co-workers including the many young doctors, nurses, and health professionals who are Dreamers and now, after years of hard work, could lose everything. These young people contribute to the vibrancy of their neighborhoods and strengthen the fabric and health of our communities.

• Health & Medicine, Public Health Woke Coalition Testify Before CCCHHS Board on Protecting Immigrant Health

  September 1, 2017

  On September 1, 2017 Health & Medicine's Director of Health Equity Wesley Epplin and Board Member Linda Murray, MD, MPH testified at to the Cook County Health and Hospitals Systems Board meeting on ensuring that the health system’s hospitals and clinics are welcoming and affirming spaces for all patients. Both Epplin and Murray reiterated the policy recommendations of the Public Health Woke Coaltion, of which Health & Medicine is a lead member, that CCHHS should adopt to ensure their facilities are truly safe for all patients.

• Health & Medicine Testifies in Support of Fully Funded Public Hospital and Health System

  August 31, 2017

  On Tuesday, August 29th, Health & Medicine Executive Director Margie Schaps testified before the Cook County Health and Hospitals System with regards to their proposed 2018 budget.

• Health & Medicine Urges County Board: Do Not Under-Fund CCHHS

  July 14, 2017

  On Wednesday, July 12, Director of Health Equity Wesley Epplin spoke at the Cook County Preliminary Budget hearing for FY2018 on the need to increase the tax allocation for the Cook County Health & Hospital System (CCHHS) in the County budget. The Health System has faced several years of reductions in the County’s tax allocation, and Epplin urged the Board of Commissioners not to under-fund CCHHS, which provides vital health services to our community.

• “CCHHS must provide safe, affirming sanctuary in all of its facilities”

  June 7, 2017

  On May 26, Health & Medicine's Director of Health Equity Wesley Epplin and Board Member Linda Rae Murray again testified before the Cook County Health and Hospitals System Board, urging the System to ensure that all patients and clients of the CCHHS are provided safe, affirming sanctuary in all of its facilities. Epplin and Murray's remarks follow-up on similar testimony earlier this year.

• Health & Medicine Urges CCHHS Board to take Leadership Role in Protecting Immigrants and other Marginalized Groups

  May 3, 2017

  On April 28, 2017 Health & Medicine’s Director of Health Equity, Wesley Epplin, testified before the Cook County Health & Hospitals Board in response to changes in immigration policies in the County providing recommendations on issues System's leadership and staff should respond to in order to protect patients.

• Health & Medicine Releases Statement to the CCHHS Board Concerning Changes in Immigration

  February 27, 2017

  On February 24, 2017 Health & Medicine Board Member Linda Rae Murray M.D. MPH testified before the Cook County Health & Hospitals Board in response to changes in immigration policies in the County.