Monday, March 18, 2024
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Personal Protective Equipment Donations and Distribution

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 is asking closed hospitality, entertainment, educational and manufacturing facilities as well as other businesses that have PPE inventory currently not in use, to donate those items so that Cook County can distribute them to facilities who most need them now.

Cook County is accepting eye protection such as face shields and goggles, nitrile (non-latex) gloves, surgical face masks, non-contact (infrared) thermometers, disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer and infection control kits. The County will also accept Tyvek or Tychem coveralls, shoes and boot coverings and gowns including surgical, isolation and personal protection.

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 should email donate@cookcountyil.gov.

Distributing Resources to First Responders and Communities

Emergency Management and Regional Security has been working diligently to distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) and other resources to first responders and communities throughout Cook County.

Through April 2020, Cook County EMRS Logistics has distributed 1,474,483 pieces of PPE throughout Cook County:

  • 432,180 N95 masks
  • 301,625 surgical masks
  • 707,700 gloves
  • 5,950 protective gowns
  • 13,393 pairs of eye protection
  • 9,486 Face Shields
  • 314 Tyvek/Tychem suits (or other protective coveralls)
  • 350 infection control kits
  • 2,125 head covers
  • 1,360 shoe or boot covers.