West Cook News

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has announced the allocation of $8.27 million in funding for 32 transportation projects through the 2025 Invest in Cook grant program. The grants will be distributed across 26 municipalities, three transit agencies, two park districts, and one township. The funding supports four transit projects, eight pedestrian initiatives, six bicycle paths, one freight project, and 13 road improvements.

This marks the ninth year that Invest in Cook grants have been awarded. Since its start in 2017, the program has provided $72.7 million for a total of 310 projects throughout Cook County. The latest investment is expected to leverage additional local, state, and federal resources, bringing nearly $21 million in engineering and construction work forward. According to county data, past recipients have received an average of $3 in outside funding for every dollar from Invest in Cook.

Over 60% of this year’s grants are directed toward low- and moderate-income communities as part of an effort to promote diversity among transportation modes and address needs in under-resourced areas.

“Every community needs good transportation options in order to thrive,” said President Preckwinkle. “The Invest in Cook program helps meet the needs of all communities, whether it is enhanced public transit, safer streets, new bicycle paths or improvements to industrial roads to support businesses. The program especially helps traditionally under-resourced areas. When we lift these communities up, we’re improving the quality of life for not only these residents but for all County residents.”

Pace Suburban Bus was among the grant recipients present at the announcement event. Pace received $176,000 for construction costs related to its Cermak Road Business Access and Transit Lane pilot program and $180,000 for expanding on-demand service between Arlington Heights and Rolling Meadows.

“Pace’s collaborations with Cook County have consistently delivered better service for our region,” said Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger. “Now, as Pace navigates a period of fiscal uncertainty, the County has stepped up once again to help us keep people connected to jobs, schools and essential services.”

The Village of Phoenix also received funds—$430,000—for design and construction costs related to improvements on 7th Avenue.

“Projects like the 7th Avenue improvements in the Village of Phoenix are a great example of the things we can do when we work together,” said Phoenix Mayor Terry Wells. “It is so important to reinvest in our infrastructure, and this grant will help maintain and modernize roadways in the County and in my village.” 

Invest in Cook grants provide crucial gap funding needed by municipalities to advance planning phases such as engineering or right-of-way acquisition before they can access further state or federal dollars.

The initiative is part of Connecting Cook County—the county’s long-term transportation plan designed to guide investment decisions that attract businesses and residents while supporting economic growth (www.cookcountyil.gov/investincook). Applications were evaluated based on priorities such as promoting alternative transportation modes like transit or biking; supporting freight movement; ensuring equal access; maintaining existing infrastructure; and increasing overall investments.