Cook County to Review Mosquito Abatement Services Following Board Resolution (Cook County) – The Cook County Board of Commissioners has unanimously approved a resolution to evaluate mosquito abatement services across suburban Cook County, aiming to address gaps and inconsistencies in how mosquito-borne disease prevention is carried out.
Resolution 25-3114, introduced by Commissioner Bridget Degnen (D-12), directs the Cook County Department of Public Health to conduct a comprehensive assessment of mosquito control activities. The study will review operations across the county’s four Mosquito Abatement Districts (North Shore, Northwest, Des Plaines Valley, and South Cook County) as well as areas not covered by districts, which rely on special districts or the county health department.
Illinois Mosquito Abatement Districts, first established under the 1925 Mosquito Abatement District Act, are charged with monitoring and reducing vectors of disease such as mosquitoes, rats, and ticks.
Degnen said current services are uneven and leave some residents underserved.
“Mosquito abatement services throughout Cook County are inequitable. The patchwork area that mosquito abatement districts cover leaves gaps in service and inconsistencies in operations,” she said. “This results in some residents getting better services than others, along with reductions in efficiency and equity. Every single resident of Cook County deserves effective mosquito abatement service regardless of their zip code.”
The resolution does not call for immediate changes but instead requires the health department to use experts and best practices to recommend improvements.
The Cook County Department of Public Health is expected to deliver its findings and recommendations to the County Board and Board President by June 1, 2026.
Cook County to Review Mosquito Abatement Services Following Board Resolution
