Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita Hosts First Language Access Summit

In a historic first, 13th District Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita hosted a groundbreaking Language Access Summit, bringing together a diverse group of individuals and organizations to address the critical issue of language barriers. With over 100 languages spoken within the county, ensuring equitable access to services for all residents is a pressing concern.

The summit aimed to:

• Highlight the on-the-ground challenges faced by non-English speakers in accessing essential services.
• Exchange knowledge and best practices for effective language access implementation.
• Foster collaboration between government agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations.
• Explore innovative approaches to overcome language barriers and improve service delivery.

It featured a panel discussion with key leaders, including Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Deputy Governor Grace Hou. Together, they underscored the county’s ongoing commitment to expanding language access and fostering inclusivity.

“Language access is not just a matter of equity, but of justice and respect,” Commissioner Morita said. “Too many people in Cook County face barriers to accessing critical services simply because of the language they speak.”

To which President Preckwinkle echoed that as Cook County grows and diversifies, so must the commitment to meeting the needs of every resident. “Language access is a cornerstone of building a truly inclusive and equitable community. Achieving equity requires full inclusion, and this summit is a vital step in addressing gaps and barriers while driving innovative, lasting solutions to better serve all Cook County residents.”

Breakout sessions were also held to address the unique needs of various sectors. These sessions included targeted discussions for nonprofit leaders, social service providers, libraries, park districts, schools, and government agencies. Each group delved into specific challenges and exchanged actionable strategies to enhance language accessibility in their respective domains.

‍

This milestone event reflected a larger vision for Cook County—a county where language is no longer a barrier but a bridge to opportunity.  Commissioner Morita, with the support of key leaders like President Preckwinkle and Deputy Governor Hou, is leading the charge to make this vision a reality. By uniting various stakeholders, the Language Access Summit has taken a significant step towards creating a more equitable and inclusive county for all.