Vital Communities
Building vital communities requires cross-cutting investments in our residents, communities and businesses. Cook County represents the core of the region’s jobs, businesses and productivity, which are essential to our residents’ economic mobility and quality of life. While our economy is diverse, inequities persist, particularly in communities that have experienced historic disinvestment. The County addresses these inequities by promoting innovative and entrepreneurial approaches to economic growth, prioritizing good jobs that offer access to economic opportunity and support small businesses.
Additionally, the County has established numerous programs and initiatives intended to promote economic security and mobility for residents in historically marginalized communities. The County recognizes the critical need to support residents in successfully navigating immediate crises via supportive housing and social services, but also helping them truly thrive in the long-term. To do this, programs address root causes and help residents improve their economic situation over the long term as well as invest in the communities in which they live.
Vital Communities Policy Pillar initiatives are led by the Bureau of Economic Development (BED) and supported by the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership (CCWP), Cook County Land Bank Authority (CCLBA), Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC), the Bureau of Asset Management (BAM), Department of Human Rights & Ethics and the Department of Transportation and Highways (DoTH)
Goal: Pursue inclusive economic and community growth by supporting residents, growing business, attracting investment and nurturing talent.
Objective 1:
Champion a regional approach to grow the economy and combat racial and economic inequities.
Spotlight:
Cook County Property Tax Reform Group
Description:
Formed in 2021, the Cook County Property Tax Reform Group convenes all separately elected officials working within our property tax system. The group meets regularly and works with researchers and stakeholders to make evidence-based policy reform recommendations to build a fairer, more equitable, property tax system. This partnership seeks to advance a fairer tax system, particularly for communities disproportionately impacted by the current tax structure, by lowering assessment costs and helping residents stay in their homes.
2025 Progress:
• Successfully advocated for legislation passed in the Illinois General Assembly which expands eligibility
for the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption and Senior Citizens
Real Estate Tax Deferral program, which delays the due date for the first installment of property tax
payments and allows counties to implement payment plans for delinquent tax bills
• Implemented data-sharing reforms with the Board of Review and Cook County Assessor’s Office to
reduce inconsistencies with commercial property valuations
• Conducted property tax incentives study
• Received 2025 NACo Achievement Award
Objective 2:
Invest in economic sectors with good jobs and positive economic, environmental and social impact.
Spotlight:
Manufacturing Reinvented Program
Description:
Manufacturing Reinvented addresses the needs of small manufacturers through targeted reimbursable projects, providing essential resources and support to local manufacturers to position them for a successful future. Nearly 70% of Cook County manufacturers are small, locally owned businesses with less than 20 employees, and this program has helped them address changing markets, diversify supply chain, improve operations and address talent needs to keep them and the region competitive.
2025 Progress:
• Awarded $4 million to 325 local manufacturers allowing them to complete 353 projects that support their growth and competitiveness in the sector
• Increased knowledge of and trust in the County as a partner who could deliver a program offering customized solutions to meet manufacturers’ needs efficiently and smoothly
• Post-project completion survey results:
• 70% of manufacturers projected increased revenue
• 55% of manufacturers projected cost savings
• 61% of manufacturers reported enhanced productivity
• 132 new manufacturing jobs created, adding $11.9 million in earnings to the local economy
Objective 3:
Grow the small business ecosystem, support innovation and entrepreneurship, and build wealth for historically excluded communities.
Spotlight:
Small Business Source (The Source)
Description:
The Source strives to support, grow and elevate small businesses, the backbone of Cook County’s economy. This program directly connects small business owners with expert guidance and the resources they need to take their businesses to the next level through no-cost, 1-on-1 business advising services, educational webinars, small business grant programs and support on how to finance one’s business.
2025 Progress:
• Served over 5,000 businesses:
• 49% of clients are repeat clients
• 85% owned by people of color
• 64% owned by women
• 85% microbusinesses with fewer than 10 employees
• The Source client survey results:
• 81% would recommend The Source
• 70% felt their advisors helped them create clear action plans
• 63% felt their advisors addressed their unique business needs
• Increased capacity of organizations in the small business ecosystem:
• Elevated two referral partners to serve as Business Support Organizations in 2025 to address specific sector and demographic needs
• Utilized 34 referral partners, including 8 that are joining the program for the first time
Objective 4:
Provide a continuum of quality affordable housing for all.
Spotlight:
Hotel-Based & Fixed Site Sheltering Programs
Description:
The Hotel-Based Sheltering Program complements existing sources of shelter funding to cover the costs of hotel-based and congregate sheltering services for the high-risk unhoused population. Under this program, partner agencies provide safe and dignified shelter, meals and case management services and work to connect residents and families to permanent housing options. The County and partners are actively working to acquire facilities to make this model a permanent part of the system.
2025 Progress:
• Housed 485 unique individuals and provided 36,000 nights of shelter
• Acquired and renovated two fixed-site shelters, serving 185 individuals and providing nearly 27,500 nights of shelter
• Invested in facilities that prevent homelessness, such as the UP House facility for young women exiting the foster system in the City of Blue Island
Objective 5:
Open access to economic prosperity for all by investing in workforce and talent development.
Spotlight:
Investing in Youth and Families
Description:
Investing in Youth and Families supports businesses with their talent needs and provides residents with paid internship opportunities for career exploration in key economic sectors.
2025 Progress:
• Helped nearly 200 residents obtain internships or paid work experience through the Opportunity Works and Road Home programs
• Transitioned approximately 60% of Opportunity Works participants and approximately 80% of Road Home participants to unsubsidized employment after completing the program
Objective 6:
Base investments on their capacity to promote equitable economic growth in historically marginalized communities.
Spotlight:
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Capital Program
Description:
The CDBG Capital program develops viable communities and expands economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income (LMI). Cook County uses its CDBG funding primarily to support capital improvement projects (e.g., roads, sewers, facilities) and social services/public services, including housing insecurity prevention and intervention, development of public-private partnerships and planning in suburban Cook County.
2025 Progress:
• Awarded over $6.5 million to 29 CDBG Capital Improvement Projects, benefitting 22 cities/villages, six non-profit agencies and one economic development organization
• Served over 52,000 LMI individuals
• Project completion results:
• Completed 50% of capital projects, including six street resurfacing, one alley resurfacing, two sanitary sewer replacements, one water main replacement, two parking lots, one roof replacement, one community center renovation and one job creation/retention project
• Disbursed over $3.6 million
• Highlighted investments:
• Invested $500,000 in Chicago Heights for large scale street improvements
• Invested $200,000 in water main replacements in Leyden Township
Objective 7:
Support residents and community institutions to promote economic security and mobility.
Spotlight:
Cook County Legal Aid for Housing & Debt (CCLAHD)
Description:
CCLAHD provides free legal aid, mediation services, case management and connections for tenants and landlords dealing with evictions, property owners who are behind on their mortgage payments or property taxes and creditors and debtors with issues related to consumer debt.
2025 Progress:
• Served over 28,000 residents
• Provided almost 22,000 free legal consultations
• Increased tenant court appearances, case participation and connection to services
Table of Contents
- Executive Summary
- Letter from the President
- Healthy Communities
- Vital Communities
- Safe and Thriving Communities
- Connected Communities
- Sustainable Communities
- Open Communities
- Equity Fund Addendum
- Equity Fund Financial Reporting