Hazard Mitigation
Hazard mitigation is any cost-effective and sustained action taken to reduce the long-term risk to human life, property, and infrastructure from hazards.
Mitigation activities can and should be taken before a disaster occurs. After disasters, repairs and reconstruction are completed in such a way as to simply restore damaged property to pre-disaster conditions. However, the implementation of mitigation actions during the rebuilding phase following a disaster can lead to building back stronger, safer and smarter.
2024 Cook County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan
Cook County is in the process of updating the 2024 Cook County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJ-HMP). A Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) is “the representation of the jurisdiction’s commitment to reduce risks from natural hazards, serving as a guide for decision-makers as they commit resources to reducing the effects of natural hazards” (44 CFR 201.6). HMPs establish and maintain eligibility for hazard mitigation assistance grant funds. The planning process is as important as the plan itself because it creates a framework for governments to reduce the negative impacts of future disasters on key community assets, such as lives, property, and the economy. Hazard mitigation planning can significantly reduce the physical, financial, and emotional losses caused by disasters.
The Hazard Mitigation Plan identifies the natural hazards that threaten the County, highlights their negative impacts, and proposes various plans and strategies to mitigate their effects. While “having a plan” is important in all instances, this plan is even more important because it allows the County (and those participating municipalities) to be eligible to access federal grant funding.
Steering Committee Meetings
March 20, 2024 - Agenda
Participating Jurisdictions
- FEMA Mitigation Resources
Throughout the update process, there will be many opportunities for the community to learn more and provide feedback. Cook County encourages all those who live, work and play in Cook County to participate.
Complete the Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey: In order to identify and plan for future natural disasters, we are seeking community input to help us gauge local knowledge about natural disaster issues and to learn more about areas that are potentially vulnerable to various types of natural disasters. The information provided will help us coordinate activities to reduce the risk of injury or property damage in the future.
Attend an upcoming Public Meeting:
Monday, May 6, 2024
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Lester L. Long Fieldhouse - Ember Room
14700 Evers St.
Dolton, IL 60419
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Skokie Public Library
5215 Oakton St.
Skokie, IL 60077
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Senior Building
900 N. 25th St.
Melrose Park, IL 60160
Please check back for additional updates, including plan notifications and more.
Submit a draft plan comment (COMING SOON): Once the draft of the plan has been completed later this Spring, you will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the draft plan. Draft plan feedback is highly encouraged. A comment form will be available should you wish to submit suggestions to the Planning Team.
Volume I
Click here to view the Cook County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Open Document: Cook County MJHMP Update 2019
Volume II
Jurisdictional Annexes
- Alsip
- Arlington Heights
- Barrington
- Bartlett
- Bedford Park
- Bellwood
- Berkeley
- Berwyn
- Blue Island
- Bridgeview
- Broadview
- Brookfield
- Burbank
- Burnham
- Calumet City
- Calumet Park
- Chicago
- Chicago Heights
- Chicago Ridge
- Cicero
- Cook County - Unincorporated
- Country Club Hills
- Countryside
- Crestwood
- Des Plaines
- Dixmoor
- Dolton
- East Hazel Crest
- Elk Grove Village
- Elmwood Park
- Evanston
- Evergreen Park
- Flossmoor
- Ford Heights
- Forest Park
- Forest View
- Franklin Park
- Glencoe
- Glenview
- Glenwood
- Golf
- Hanover Park
- Harvey
- Harwood Heights
- Hazel Crest
- Hickory Hills
- Hillside
- Hodgkins
- Hoffman Estates
- Hometown
- Homewood
- Indianhead Park
- Inverness
- Justice
- Kenilworth
- LaGrange
- LaGrange Park
- Lansing
- Lemont
- Lincolnwood
- Lynwood
- Lyons
- Markham
- Matteson
- Maywood
- McCook
- Melrose Park
- Merrionette Park
- Midlothian
- Morton Grove
- Mount Prospect
- MWRD
- Niles
- Norridge
- North Riverside
- Northbrook
- Northfield
- Northlake
- Oak Forest
- Oak Lawn
- Oak Park
- Olympia Fields
- Orland Hills
- Orland Park
- Palatine
- Palos Heights
- Palos Hills
- Palos Park
- Park Forest
- Park Ridge
- Phoenix
- Posen
- Prospect Heights
- Richton Park
- River Forest
- River Grove
- Riverdale
- Riverside
- Robbins
- Rolling Meadows
- Rosemont
- Sauk Village
- Schaumburg
- Schiller Park
- Skokie
- South Chicago Heights
- South Holland
- South Barrington
- Steger
- Stickney
- Stone Park
- Streamwood
- Summit
- Thornton
- Tinley Park
- University Park
- Westchester
- Western Springs
- Wheeling
- Willow Springs
- Wilmette
- Winnetka
- Worth
HMP Annual Progress Reports
- 2020/2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024 Volume I - Coming Soon
- 2024 Volume II - Coming Soon