Coyote mating season lasts until late May

The County’s Department of Animal and Rabies Control (ARC) and the Forest Preserves of Cook County remind residents that coyote mating and whelping season lasts through May. During this time, coyotes are establishing territories and dens to whelp their pups. Until weaning, coyotes are more visible and more aggressive. ARC and the Forest Preserves offer the following tips to prevent tragic encounters between coyotes and cats or small dogs:

Disaster Loan Outreach Centers in Suburban Cook County and City of Chicago and online applications will open on Friday, March 20 in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will Counties

The Cook County Board of Commissioners approved planning, design and construction contracts today to continue the pipeline of transportation-related projects for the County’s Department of Transportation and Highways (DoTH). These vital projects advance multi-modal projects throughout Cook County to improve state of good repair, operations, safety and support the regional economy.

Barrypoint Road Bridge | $1,511,825

COOK COUNTY, IL – At a time when the federal government is retreating from critical safety-net programs, Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle and the Board of Commissioners took a crucial step today to invest $19.9 million to strengthen food access and housing stability across the County. The investment will support the Greater Chicago Food Depository (the Food Depository), the Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County (the Alliance), and the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) – three organizations providing essential services to residents.

Nearly $100 million Touhy Avenue project will reduce congestion, improve safety and promote economic growth throughout Cook County

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, alongside federal, state and local officials, celebrated the groundbreaking today of the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways’ (DoTH) largest project to date. The $99.1 million major roadway project is along Touhy Avenue and Mount Prospect Road in Elk Grove Village, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Township and Chicago.

Today, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Governor JB Pritzker announced that alongside national nonprofit partner Undue Medical Debt, Cook County and the State of Illinois have successfully erased more than $1.5 billion in medical debt held by Cook County residents. The County has also committed to continuing to sustain this effort beyond the expiration of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in 2026, ensuring that medical debt relief remains part of its broader commitment to advancing health equity and economic stability for residents.

Cook County Board President, Assessor and Clerk announced today that First-Installment 2025 property tax bills have all been mailed by the Treasurer’s Office on schedule. They are also available online, and are due April 1. 

The on-time mailing affirms a dependable property tax calendar and provides certainty for homeowners, businesses and local governments across Cook County.

COOK COUNTY, IL – Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced today the launch of Cook County Forging Growth, a new grant program designed to strengthen local casting and forging manufacturers, expand supply-chain opportunities and position the region’s industrial sector for long-term growth.

(Chicago, IL) Communities receiving higher levels of public investment in Community Violence Intervention (CVI) experienced increased services, stronger program participation and the largest public safety gains, according to a new 2025 impact report released today by the Government Alliance for Safe Communities (GASC).

Property owners face an important tax deadline in the coming weeks, and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Treasurer Maria Pappas are encouraging residents to plan ahead and take advantage of available payment tools.

First Installment property tax bills for 2025 will be mailed by March 2 and will be due April 1, for nearly 1.8 million Cook County properties. That’s a month later than usual because we pushed lawmakers for the extension to give property owners some breathing room after second installment bills for 2024 were late.