County is ensuring language access as a human right

In Cook County, we believe that language access is a human right. Language access is not something we do as a favor to help those who don’t speak English. It is an essential role we play in protecting health and safety, and ensuring dignity and respect, for all Cook County residents.

Earlier this month, an executive order was issued declaring English the national language and rolling back language access requirements across the country. Here, in Cook County, under the leadership of President Toni Preckwinkle, we are prioritizing, investing in and expanding our work to ensure every resident can access their government, in their language.

One third of Cook County residents speak a language other than English at home. In Commissioner Morita’s District, the 13th, more than 100 languages are spoken. People often think of Spanish, Polish and Chinese. But there are nearly 2 million people across Cook County speaking languages from Arabic, Yoruba, Korean, and Hindi to Tagalog, Urdu, Pashto and Haitian Creole. They are our neighbors. Cook County is their home. We are proud of that.

Language access is not just about translation and interpretation — it is about dignity and respect. The ability to communicate, the ability to be understood and to understand others, are essential for all of us. If your neighbor doesn’t know about social distancing during a pandemic or how to report a crime, we are all at risk.

And it is not useful to simply say it is their responsibility to learn English. It is our responsibility as a government to get public health and safety information and resources to everyone who needs it. We must meet our residents where they are, as they are and in the language they speak.

This work is personal. For Commissioner Morita, like so many, stories of language barriers weave throughout her family’s six generations in this country. Her Japanese great-grandmother, Tamano, moved to Chicago out of the internment camps during World War II speaking very little English. After settling on Chicago’s North Side, she hoped to start a free food service program at the Japanese American Service Committee to help other families. Chicago’s food-handling exam was available only in English. The story goes that she studied every night with her children, memorizing every word of the test. She passed.

What is the opportunity cost of not having language access? How many people don’t start programs to help the community because the test is only in English. How many people don’t start businesses, don’t help their neighbor, don’t participate in our society not just because they don’t speak English, but because they do not feel welcome? Language access is not just a challenge to overcome, but is an opportunity to build a stronger, more inclusive and more prosperous Cook County.

Cook County is committed to this good work and is actively advancing Language Justice. In just the last five years, Cook County expanded the number of languages on the ballot (led by commissioners Scott Britton and Kevin Morrison) and established its first comprehensive Language Access Policy. We’ve expanded translation and interpretation services from the President’s Office to Commissioners’ offices. Cook County’s website now offers real-time translation into over 100 languages. Our goal is that wherever you need Cook County government, whether it's downtown, at one of our courthouses, hospitals or clinics, or any of our 17 districts — we can welcome you, understand you and serve you.

We are proud of this work, but our efforts don’t stop there.

We are prioritizing and expanding the county’s language access work together. A few months ago, we hosted Cook County’s first Language Access Summit at Oakton College’s Skokie campus. Last month, we amended the Cook County Human Rights Ordinance to protect against language discrimination.

This month, as part of Language Access Month, we are launching “I Speak Cards” in partnership with Sheriff Tom Dart to help residents navigate the County Building in 34 languages. Front-line staff are being equipped with devices to help residents in 84 languages.

Language access protects rights. It saves lives. And it creates opportunities for the future. This April, we reaffirm our promise to every Cook County resident — whatever language you speak, Cook County Government speaks it too.

• Democrat Toni Preckwinkle is president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Josina Morita, a Chicago Democrat, represents the board’s 13th District.