Cook County Announces Call for Transportation and Community Development Grant Program Applications

Applications are due by March 21 for programs that promote economic development, enhance public services and improve transportation throughout the County

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today announced a call for applications for the County’s Department of Transportation and Highways (DoTH) Invest in Cook grant program, which assists communities with transportation infrastructure improvements. In conjunction, the County’s Department of Planning and Development (DPD), which is part of the Bureau of Economic Development, is also now accepting applications for its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which supports economic development through capital improvement and public service, and its Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program, which addresses homelessness.

“Infrastructure investments improve quality of life for residents and encourage economic development throughout the County,” said 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.”

Department of Transportation and Highways 
Invest in Cook Grant Program

Now in its ninth year, the Invest in Cook program will make $8.5 million in infrastructure grants available to help prioritize transit and other transportation alternatives, support the region’s role as North America’s freight capital, promote equal access to opportunities, maintain and modernize what already exists and increase investments in transportation.

Invest in Cook is an initiative of Connecting Cook County, which lays the groundwork for how the County invests in transportation to attract and retain businesses, people, capital and talent. In its first eight years, Invest in Cook awarded $64.4 million to fund 278 projects throughout the County.

In addition to funding projects, Invest in Cook provides technical assistance and grant-writing support to help communities tap into new funding sources and accelerate the completion of projects that may have languished.

“The Invest in Cook program is paving the way for enhanced transportation infrastructure, ensuring that Cook County's residents and businesses are better connected than ever before,” said Jennifer ‘Sis’ Killen, superintendent of DoTH. “By modernizing our infrastructure, expanding transit access and improving bicycle and pedestrian options, we are not only easing commutes but also driving economic growth and providing greater access to opportunity for all Cook County communities.”

Department of Planning and Development 
Community Development Block Grant and Emergency Solutions Grants Programs

For over 50 years, Cook County has administered the CDBG program to support critical community development needs across suburban Cook County. Under CDBG, DPD announced the call for applications for two grant program areas, including capital improvement and public service, as well as for ESG.

These programs are designed to support street and sewer improvements and HVAC and roof repairs/replacements, as well as social service and homeless prevention needs in income-eligible areas of suburban Cook County. In 2024, over $9.2 million was awarded to 73 applicants across all three programs.

"Investing in historically under-resourced communities creates a better Cook County for us all,” said DPD director Susan Campbell. "These grant programs provide valuable funding that creates equitable solutions for all suburban Cook County residents and businesses.”

CDBG and ESG funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and must be invested in line with DPD’s Uplift Cook, a new five-year strategic plan (2025-2030) that guides the use of these HUD resources. CDBG and ESG funding can also be invested in capital projects that will lead to job creation and retention.

How to Apply

Invest in Cook
The application deadline for Invest in Cook is Friday, March 21, 2025, at 5 p.m. CDT.

Under the Invest in Cook program, DoTH is seeking applications from local governments and transit agencies. Private and nonprofit organizations can submit project proposals but must have a public sponsor.

DoTH staff will evaluate and score Invest in Cook proposals to determine which projects will be chosen this year.

For more information and to apply, visit www.cookcountyil.gov/investincook

Community Development Block Grant and Emergency Solutions Grant Programs
The application deadline for CDBG capital improvement and public service grants, as well as for ESG, is Friday, March 21, 2025, at 5 p.m. CDT. 

Under both the CDBG and ESG programs, DPD will accept applications from units of government and nonprofit organizations.

For more information and to apply, visit www.cookcountyil.gov/service/community-development-division

Virtual Workshop

A virtual workshop to discuss all available grant opportunities will be held on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, from 1 - 3 p.m. Those interested in applying for a grant can visit the Invest in Cook or CDBG/ESG webpages to register.

Award letters for all grant programs will be sent out this summer, and a corresponding list of grantees will be published on each department's webpage.

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