Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago

COOK COUNTY BOARD

February 27, 2008

TO THE COOK COUNTY BOARD:

The Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago is composed of chief leaders of the Greater Chicago area's Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Eastern and Oriental Orthodox, Protestant, Jewish, and Islamic communions and institutions.

The churches, synagogues and mosques represented around the Council's table embrace nearly four million men, women and children. Its seminaries prepare clergy and leaders leaders for service in the Greater Chicago area and throughout the world. The Council embraces a broad diversity of theological, ideological and political orientations. It is a microcosm of American religion as it exists in a great city and urban area in the American heartland.

Because each of our religious traditions teach that care must be extended to those who are ill in body and mind, we, the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago, urge the Cook County Board to adopt a budget that makes provisions for adequate and quality health care for county residents who do not otherwise have access to such health care.

Faithfully Yours,

Right Reverend Demetrios of Mokissos
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago
President, Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago