The primary role of the Cook County Board of Health is to assess the needs of the community, provide policy guidance, and exercise general oversight of Cook County Health Department, while leaving the day to day management and operational control of the health department to the District Health Director.
Each board of health is comprised of seven community members who have been appointed to serve on the board. Four positions are appointed by the county’s chief executive officer: 1 – county’s chief executive officer or designee; 2 – licensed physician actively practicing in the county; 3 – consumer or advocate for consumers of health services; and 4 – consumer who will represent the needy, underprivileged or elderly. The fifth position is held by the county’s superintendent of schools or designee. The last two positions are appointed by the governing authority of the largest municipality of the county: 1 – city’s chief executive officer or designee; and 2 – consumer or licensed nurse interested in promoting public health.
The following community members make up the Cook County Board of Health.

Mark J. Eanes, MD, MBA
District Health Director

Tom Fausett, Sr., MD
Chairman
Physician
Term Expires: December 31, 2029

Shelva Keeley
Vice-Chairman
Consumer or Licensed Nurse
Term Expires: December 31, 2028

Debra Robinson McKenney
Secretary
CEO of County (or designee)
Term Expires: Serves while in office

Joy Folsom
County School Superintendent
Term Expires: Serves while in office

Mayor Buddy Duke
CEO of largest city
Term Expires: Serves while in office

Ronald Mitchell
Consumer advocate
Term Expires: December 31, 2028

Terry McClain
Advocate for Needy, Underprivileged or Elderly
Term Expires: December 31, 2027