President Preckwinkle and Cook County Bureau of Asset Management Announce $20 million Infrastructure Improvement Program Known as Build Up Cook

Today, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and the Cook County Bureau of Asset Management announced a new infrastructure improvement program known as Build Up Cook. Joined by Posen Mayor Frank Podbielniak and Phoenix Village President Terry Wells, President Preckwinkle announced the program at the site of a future sewer jetting project, one of several Build Up Cook pilot projects aimed at improving infrastructure throughout suburban Cook County.

“By directly investing in our communities and improving infrastructure beyond buildings owned by Cook County, we are also investing in the overall quality of life across Cook County. It is a small but important step toward a more equitable Cook County, and we are proud to support municipalities as they strengthen capacity and improve the resiliency of the communities we serve,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

Cook County has committed $20 million of ARPA funding toward the Build Up Cook Program, a program under the Bureau of Asset Management, the bureau charged with maintaining most county buildings and facilities. The program will use funds to lend the technical expertise of the county to assist in project management, budgeting, and planning of infrastructure improvement projects in communities across the south and west areas of Cook County. Build Up Cook will also assist municipalities in finding funding resources for future projects.

Cook County has identified 26 priority communities to partner with to complete locally-desired capital investments that meet economic development goals and address resident needs. Future projects will include wastewater and stormwater management, sewer system upgrades, fiber internet and broadband, municipal facility modernization, and brownfield remediation.

This morning, President Preckwinkle announced Phase 1 of the program. In Phase 1, Build Up Cook staff have reached out to all 26 priority communities to listen, understand, and work together to address capital and infrastructure needs through investment and capacity building. During the pilot program earlier this year, the Cook County Bureau of Asset Management conducted needs assessments and completed several infrastructure projects including water main replacements, sewer repairs, and village hall repairs.

“Our team at the Bureau of Asset Management are thrilled to lend our technical assistance to smaller municipalities, like our partners in Posen and Phoenix,” said Bureau Chief Elizabeth Granato. “When governments come together, we can lift the quality of life across Cook County.”

At this site, the pilot project team installed a flood warning light and replaced the lift station generator, which was the first step in flood mitigation and water safety in Posen. The sewer jetting at the site involves shooting high-pressure water streams out of specialized jetting nozzles to remove blockages and from sewer lines, ensuring systems remain in working condition and prevent sewage backups. This allows the sewer system to work effectively during periods of intense rain and mitigate flooding.  

More information, as well as a comprehensive list of the municipalities involved in this program, are available at arpa.cookcountyil.gov/build-up-cook