Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker have announced that more than $1.5 billion in medical debt held by Cook County residents has been erased. This achievement was made possible through a partnership with the national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt and is part of ongoing efforts to address health equity and economic stability.
“Medical debt is a weight that follows families for years and disproportionately affects the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle. “Our work shows that residents already facing systemic barriers and personal hardship also have to contend with an expensive and broken healthcare system. I’m proud to partner with Governor Pritzker to bring meaningful relief and peace of mind to hundreds of thousands of residents of Cook County.”
Governor JB Pritzker emphasized the impact on everyday Illinoisans: “The Illinois Medical Debt Relief Program is providing working parents, students, and seniors a sense of financial security and the ability to live without the crushing burden of overwhelming medical costs,” he said. “Illinois is a nationwide leader erasing medical debt for our residents in large part to President Preckwinkle’s trailblazing advocacy for the residents of Cook County. Alongside President Preckwinkle’s program, the Illinois Medical Debt Relief Program is making healthcare more accessible and affordable in Illinois and continues to be a testament to the ingenuity we’ve displayed in delivering on that commitment.”
Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton highlighted broader benefits: “Forgiving medical debt isn’t just compassionate, it’s smart economic policy,” she stated. “Debt relief increases economic activity, stabilizes households, and strengthens communities. All of this creates a stronger Illinois. When government works with purpose and understanding, it can change lives—and strengthen our economy at the same time.”
The Cook County initiative began in 2022 under Preckwinkle’s leadership, purchasing outstanding medical debts for less than one cent on the dollar—removing significant financial burdens from local families.
Cook County became the first local government in the U.S. to use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for abolishing medical debt, leveraging $7 million through its Medical Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI) to eliminate over $820 million so far. At the state level, Illinois’ Department of Healthcare and Family Services has secured more than $1.1 billion in additional forgiveness statewide—including $700 million specifically within Cook County—demonstrating a coordinated effort between county and state programs.
Together, these initiatives have eliminated about $1.5 billion in medical debt across Cook County—the largest amount ever forgiven at any county level nationwide.
Medical debt remains a major driver of bankruptcy across America, especially affecting Black and Latino communities at higher rates than others. More than 770,000 people—over 15% of all Cook County residents—have benefited from these combined programs.
One resident shared their experience: “I’m extremely grateful for having this debt erased,” said L.D., recalling how a $3,500 emergency room bill following their daughter’s hospitalization caused ongoing stress until it was forgiven through this initiative.
Eligible debts are cleared automatically; recipients receive notification by mail from Undue Medical Debt confirming their obligations are permanently resolved.
As an early adopter partnering with Undue Medical Debt, Cook County set an example now followed by over 25 other governments launching similar programs around the country.
Further information about both county- and state-level efforts can be found at https://arpa.cookcountyil.gov/medical-debt-relief-initiative as well as https://hfs.illinois.gov/info/medicaldebtrelief.html
