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

COOK COUNTY, IL—Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced a call for applications today for the County’s Department of Transportation and Highway’s (DoTH) Invest in Cook grant program to assist communities with transportation infrastructure improvements. The County’s Department of Planning and Development (DPD) is also accepting applications for its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which supports economic development through capital improvement and public service projects, and its Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program, which addresses homelessness.

“These programs create opportunities for every resident, every business and every community in Cook County,” said President Preckwinkle. “By investing in our infrastructure, especially in historically under-resourced communities, we are building a future where no one is left behind."

Department of Transportation and Highways

Invest in Cook Grant Program

Now in its tenth year, the Invest in Cook program is allocating $8.5 million in infrastructure grants to help meet DoTH’s goals to 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 nine years Invest in Cook awarded $72.7 million to fund 310 projects throughout the County.

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

“We are excited to launch the tenth year of the Invest in Cook program,” said Jennifer ‘Sis’ Killen, superintendent of DoTH. “Through Invest in Cook, we have helped advance community and County priorities like expanding transit access, making roads safer and increasing access to opportunity for everyone in the County.”

Department of Planning and Development

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program

Cook County has administered a CDBG program for over 50 years, supporting critical community development needs in low- and moderate-income areas of suburban Cook County. The capital improvement aspect of the CDBG program focuses on addressing critical infrastructure needs in communities, including street, alley, water main, storm drainage and sewer improvements.

Select suburban municipalities may apply. Additionally, nonprofit facilities may apply for funding to support ADA renovations, HVAC and roof updates, parking lot resurfacing and more.

The public service aspect of the CDBG program focuses on wraparound services, youth services and domestic violence assistance, development of public-private partnerships and planning. Nonprofit organizations may apply for that aspect of the program.

The ESG program focuses on improving the number and quality of emergency shelters for individuals facing homelessness. Nonprofit organizations may apply.

"Continuing to invest in historically disinvested communities will create a better Cook County for all,” said DPD director Susan Campbell. "The critical assistance provided through these grant programs creates equitable solutions for all suburban Cook County residents.”

In 2025, over $9 million was awarded to 76 applicants across the County’s CDBG and ESG programs.

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 (2025-2029) that guides the use of these HUD resources. CDBG and ESG funding can also be invested in planning and economic development 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 20, 2026, at 5 p.m. CT.

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 Program and Emergency Solutions Grants Program

The application deadline for these programs is Friday, March 20, 2026, at 5 p.m. CT.

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 4, 2026, from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. Those interested in applying for a grant can visit the Invest in Cook or CDBG/ESG websites 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 website.