West Cook News

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has announced the opening of applications for the Department of Transportation and Highways (DoTH) Invest in Cook grant program. This initiative aims to support communities with transportation infrastructure improvements. Concurrently, the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) is accepting applications for its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) programs, which focus on economic development and homelessness issues.

"Infrastructure investments improve quality of life for residents and encourage economic development throughout the County," stated President Preckwinkle. "These investments are especially important in historically under-resourced communities, and I’m proud of my administration’s work to advance equity through these critical grant programs."

The Invest in Cook program, now in its ninth year, will distribute $8.5 million in grants for infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing transit options, supporting freight activities, ensuring equal access to opportunities, and modernizing existing facilities. Jennifer 'Sis' Killen, superintendent of DoTH, remarked that "the Invest in Cook program is paving the way for enhanced transportation infrastructure," emphasizing its role in improving connectivity within Cook County.

The DPD's CDBG program has been operational for over 50 years, addressing community development needs across suburban Cook County. The ESG program complements this by focusing on homeless prevention efforts. In 2024 alone, over $9.2 million was allocated to various applicants through these programs.

"Investing in historically under-resourced communities creates a better Cook County for us all," said Susan Campbell, director of DPD. She highlighted that these grant programs provide funding that fosters equitable solutions across suburban areas.

Funding from CDBG and ESG comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), aligning with DPD's new strategic plan called Uplift Cook (2025-2030). These funds aim to support capital projects that generate employment opportunities.

Applications for both the Invest in Cook and CDBG/ESG programs are due by March 21, 2025. Interested parties can find more information on the respective county webpages. A virtual workshop discussing available grant opportunities will be held on February 5, 2025.

Award notifications will be distributed during the summer season with a list of grantees published online.