Climate Resiliency Planning
Climate Resiliency Planning for Communities
Cook County allocated nearly $16 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support five suburban municipalities in developing Climate Resiliency Plans and to fund initial implementation of those plans. The five communities selected to participate include the Villages of Bellwood, Franklin Park, Justice, Lynwood and the City of Markham.
About Climate Resiliency
Our climate is changing quickly and with those changes come events that can threaten Cook County residents, homes and businesses. More frequent and severe rainstorms can cause flooding in our communities, resulting in costly property damages and health concerns. Higher temperatures and drought can result in extreme heat and loss of life. The residents most impacted by climate change are often those that have already faced environmental injustices and generations of disinvestment. Transforming infrastructure, implementing nature-based solutions and ensuring social structures are adaptable are imperative for resiliency. The costs and time associated with planning and funding such measures can be a barrier to completion and success. Through the Climate Resiliency Planning for Communities program, Cook County aims to help communities prepare for severe weather events to prevent damage and losses, while maintaining the well-being and health of residents.
Cook County’s Climate Resiliency Planning for Communities Program
Cook County’s Department of Environment and Sustainability, together with a community-engagement and planning consultant and selected partners, worked with the five municipalities through a two-phase approach:
Phase I, 2023 - 2024
Through a community-driven planning and prioritization process, communities set goals and identified projects to bolster resiliency. Planning consultants used community input to develop individualized and detailed digital Climate Resiliency Plans.
A Climate Resiliency Plan helps a local government identify where its community is most vulnerable to the effects of climate change and set goals for preparation. It can help guide strategic investments to address evolving conditions, ensuring that projects benefit the people and neighborhoods most affected by climate change.
Each municipality’s Climate Resiliency Plan is available under the Additional Info header on the right-hand side of this page.
Phase II, 2024 - 2026
Funds were provided to each municipality to implement select projects including green infrastructure improvements, stormwater management and renewable energy installations. Projects were selected based on the needs of each community, cost, feasibility and timelines*. Phase II funds were only available to communities that successfully completed Phase I of the program.
*ARPA funds must be obligated by 2024 and spent by 2026.
Cook County posted RFP 2323-03090-ARPA Climate Resiliency Planning for Communities Consulting Services on April 26, 2023. It closed May 24, 2023, at 10 a.m. CDT.
Cook County released an open call for subrecipients to support Phase II (implementation) of the Climate Resiliency Planning for Communities Project on April 12, 2024. The call closed on May 15, 2024.
To be considered for this opportunity, communities must have:
- Been a municipality (city, village or township) located in suburban Cook County. Neighborhoods within the City of Chicago were not eligible for this opportunity.
- Not had an existing Climate Resiliency Plan, Adaptation Plan, Climate Action Plan or similar plan, updated within the past six years.
- Demonstrate a need for technical assistance due to insufficient funding, staff capacity or other necessary resources.
- Committed to working with the County and designated consultant to host community feedback sessions, respond to information requests and actively participate in the Climate Resilience Planning process.
- Submitted a complete application by March 8, 2023, at 5 p.m. CST
Priority consideration was be given to communities which rate higher on the Environmental Justice Index (EJI), as identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention EJI tool.
- Feb. 1, 2023 – Online application period opened.
- Feb. 9, 2023 – Virtual webinar for application assistance/information.
- March 1, 2023 – All questions submitted to DES and posted for applicant review.
- March 8, 2023 – Applications closed at 5 p.m. CST.
- Summer 2023 – Program awardees announced.
Communities were selected through a competitive process which included evaluating written applications from 26 interested communities and conducting virtual interviews with seven applicants. Communities were also assessed based on indicators such as need for resources, tree canopy coverage, flooding risk and number of impervious surfaces.
Questions?
Email questions to environment@cookcountyil.gov