Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller Speaks with The Southland Journal
Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller Speaks with The Southland Journal (Cook County, IL) Sixth District Commissioner Donna Miller represents the south and southwest suburbs of Cook County, making her one of the few commissioners who only oversee the suburbs. In her role, she has worked towards changing health disparities, advocating for small business and making sure residents of the southland have access to resources.
During her first term, Miller has been able to secure economic investments for the south and southwest suburbs, reduce some of the health care disparities, and support small businesses.
With a background in healthcare, even she could not have planned for the pandemic, Miller stated. This experience has helped her address the issues to find meaningful solutions, especially for communities of color. She accomplished this through education about COVID and then through application with rolling out the vaccine in the county.
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“This pandemic has devastated Black and Brown communities disproportionately and that’s where my expertise came into play,” said Miller.
Among the social unrest during the pandemic, she has been able to focus on how diverse communities can come together and address these ills like this in society.
One of the highlights for Miller was securing $25 million across the sixth district for transportation.
“In this area, we are a transportation hub. If anyone has driven on any highway, every one of those highways touch my district,” said. Miller
The major highways and expressways in the area are I-80, I-57, I-294, I-90, and I-94.
Community Involvement
Community outreach has played instrumental role during Miller’s term. She participated in many food drives aimed at those who may have had limited access, such as senior citizens.
Another outreach initiative Miller continues to be passionate about is heart health. Every February during Heart Month, Miller hosts a county wide CPR training program to increase awareness. According to Miller, heart disease and cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in Cook County.
As Vice Chair of Contract Compliance, Miller has advocated for contracts for Women-owned and minority-owned businesses. She also voted with other commissioners to waive late fees for two months on both property tax installments, an issue that residents of the south and southwest suburbs know too well.
“I believe education, transparency, and commitment to making sure all the resources are there in our communities is going to make us have more cohesive communities and make us more able to take advantage of the programs that are out there,” said Miller
Changing Outcomes
If re-elected, one of her first goals is to address the lingering health disparities for her district and in the county.
“We are going to see the effects of COVID in ways that we are not going to be able to identify immediately,” warns Miller.
She plans to address short-term health needs through things such as preventative care and CPR training, while planning for long-term needs with the Cook County Department of Public Health.
A Passion for Service
“If you are passionate about something, it has to come through in your work, otherwise your work won’t be successful as it could be,” Miller stated.
Miller cares about what happens in the community and wants people engaged enough to feel like they can make a difference too.
She wants her legacy to be outcome-oriented and achievable. She envisions stronger economic development and making sure we are establishing something for the next generation to continue.
Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller Speaks with The Southland Journal
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