CHICAGO (WLS) — Cook County commissioners introduced a resolution Tuesday aimed to reduce and properly treat brain injuries, especially in student athletes.

"It is real, and it is happening in communities across the country. Too often, concussions are misunderstood, under reported or dismissed," Cook County Commissioner Tara Stamps said.

Stamps’ resolution calls for working with schools and coaches to combat sports-related head injuries.

"We are saying that when young people present with concussions, there will be a pipeline that has been fortified to make sure that we are doing a thorough evaluation of their condition, to anticipate anything that may be Fallout or symptom of what we’re saying is suspected CTE," Stamps said.
"It calls for greater research into CTE and the mental health impacts facing student athletes. It encourages federal and state leaders to examine the effects of NIL and encourage Cook County’s public health system to expand awareness and education around concussion risks," Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said.

Research shows one in 10 children experience a traumatic brain injury every year, according to the brain injury association.

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Local health officials say Cook County is worse off.

"Here in suburban Cook County, the numbers are concerning. In 2024 14.35% of high school students reported that they had experienced a concussion from playing sports or from physical activity," Chief Operating Officer of Cook County Health Dr. Kiran Joshi said.

Doctors say the impacts of head injuries can appear years later in the form of memory loss, depression and other behavioral changes.

Cook County Health is also developing a referral process to connect injured student athletes with specialized concussion clinics.

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Liz Nicholson joined the news conference to talk about her husband: former NFL player Gerry Sullivan.

Sullivan lives with severe medical complications linked to brain injuries he suffered while playing for the Cleveland Browns.

"My husband started experiencing unmitigated rage, depression, suicidal ideation addiction problems, and this was something that really, I had been with my husband for many years at this point, and he became a completely different person," Nicholson said.

Nicholson is currently running for Cook County Board of Review Commissioner, 2nd District.